The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-09-04
Union Republican Ticket,
A Spcck of War.

There seems to be a strong disposition on
the part of the Catholic Hierarchy of Missouri
to nullify the laws and disregard that provi
sion of the Constitution of that State which
requires an oath of loyalty of preachers and
teachers. The Archbishop has issued his
ecclesiastical order, in effect setting mn the
Higher Law of the Church, and requiring
his subordinates to set the authority of the
civil government at naught And as all the
inferior clergy owe him spiritual allegiance
and obedience, as he owes fealty to his supe.
rior, the Pope, we may regard that the initia.
tory step has been taken which will ultimate.
: ly lead to decision of the question as to the
supremacy of the Catholic Church over the
civil government in this country. Governor
FLETCHER, 1t will be seen, proposes 10 meet
the issue boldly and squarely, so that unless
one party or the other crawfshes. we shall
soon learn whether the civil government of
the United States or the Popish spiritual gov
eminent Is supreme. We think that the
church is not fully prepared to submit this
question to the arbitrament of arms at present.
and she will, therefore. postpone ii to more
auspiciouS occasion by the strategic arts of
diplomacy In the meantime we trust that
Governor FLETCHER will enforce the Consti-
tuition and laws, and if we must eventually
succumb to irresponsible spiritual despotism.
let it be deferred till the generation that has
overthrown the rebellion and given liberty to
four millions Of Protestants shall have passed
away:
STATE OF Missouri. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
City of Jefferson. August 2j. 1865.
Dear Sir: In reply to your note of the
2lst instant, can ouly say that the proyi-
sions of the Constitution requiring an oath of
ministers and teachers. are to be construed
by the courts.
Any question as to the right Of the people
Of the State to make such provisions in their
fundamental law. will be for the higher Judi.
cial tribunals Of the country to determine.
Pending their decision. the law must be re-
garded as valid and of binding force.
My action in enforcing these and all other
laws will be strictly within the seope of the
legal powers conferred on me- and shall re-
qmre on the part of all citizens. that their
acts in giving force to this law be done in the
legal manner.
Law-abiding men will, ! presume, cause
warrants TO be Issued for persons who violate
the law by preaching or teaching without first
taking the oath, or who may take it falsely
and will cause them to be bound over TO ap-
pear at the next Circuit Court OF the comfy
70 answer indictments for their ofFenses. The
whole military force of the State will be at
the command Of the officers of the law. to
enforce legal process in this as in all other
cases.
The Constitution, in all its provisions, is the
highest law Of the State, and 50 far as nv of.
fetal action is concerned. need not repeat to
you what have SO often publicly said. that
al tte duties decoired ppon the E.recutire by
lar fer enforcing II, w.H be. IN d,te time and
IA q proper manner, faly performed
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
THos.- c. FLETCHER.