The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-12-01
From the Philadelphia Argus.
RELIGION AND POLITICS.

The most offensive feature in the absolute govern
ments OF the Old World neTican observer, IS
the fact that religion Is regulated by law, aud that
the same power winch oppre>ses the citizen in his
civil rights preScribes the creed he believe, and
taxes him TO support II. One nation maintains at
expense horde of eccestastic mobiles, and
comPes all to pay for their support whether they
follow the faith of tie State entertain other opiu-
ions. Another fastens swarm of priests on the
masses while third elevates the prevailing faith
into the government itself and governs by the church
alone. Such is the organized intolerance OF despots
and yrants. Strange that in substance and ia prac
tce, should have similar organization repub
hcan America, justified, too, perfectly consistent
with oar profession of liberty and liberation; and
strange still that those very ministers OF the Gospel
who daily preach liberation and religions liberty,
should be- the leading spirits in this attempt 10 de-
stroy both the same blow. What means Know
Nohnglan. if it does not intend to unite the sacred
and the secular power? How is religion 10 be
trampled in The dust, il not by the red OF bgotry
and the strong force of governmental interference
This Is the mode adopted by the clergy in other
countries to effect the end, and why should 1t
be doubted they will use the same means in this
country when identical eads in view?
As one evidence of the purposes OF the Know
Nothing ceTsymen 70 mingle religion with politics,
the Chambersb"rg lFhig announces the Rev. Nh
Tiffany, Professor in the Dickinson College at Car
Isle, and the presiding officer of the Know Nothing
State Convention in this city, candidate for
URIed States Senator. Here IS the first open evil
dence of the real intentions of the know-Nothngs TO
m'ugle religion with politics. professed minister
of the Go>pel-oue who IS entrusted with the high
and holy calling Of educating and training young
for the tniustry, takes the initiative in this move4
of making religion subservient TO politics, and
is TO be rewarded with d seat IN the United States
Senate for his services. Is il 10 be supposed that If
he should be elected that his efforts will not be d-
rerted towards scheme OF compelling by statutory
eHactments the abandonment OF form of religion
and the outward observance Of another Why else
should he be so anxious and jealous in his work of
propagandisn IL will no other purpose, adj
vance no other cause. liza legitimate political OBJ
iect be attained, Mr.. Tiffany could have act
ed in an open constitutional manner with his fellow
citizens Why did he and his colleagues sneak in
the dark and thus stab the rights of their ellowci-
tizpns like assas>insi The answer IS irresistible ;
they first wished TO fasten the chain the people
before they drop their mask. That is now accom-
p.ished, aud the announcement OF the arch clerical
leader in the Know Nothing movement in this State
a candidate Tor the United States Senate proves
mostrrc~istihy that Union of Church and State is
the real intent OF these traitors 10 civil liberty and
religion freedom.