New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-28

low sphere OF politics. 1t would pc us
honored and dedled by the contact. la
such an opinion originates in ineorrec
notions of both politics and religion. Lei
us look at it in the light of reason and
scripture. Politics concern the relations
we sustain to each other as members o.
civil society. theoretically it is the sol
ence of government, and practically it is
the natural adjustment and administration
of civil affairs, the application of the princi-
pies oflaw and government TO the protec-
ton of life, liberty, property, and repu-
tation. Politics is therefore a matter
which Immediately and constantly presses
upon every mans interests. He may
stand aloof from politics popularity so
called but he can not stand aloof from the
influence of politics. He may refuse to
help run the machine, but he can not dis
pense with its running. If it should chance
to stop or become deranged, the disaster
must be instant and universal. The man
who had thought himself too much of a
gentleman or Christian to NEEDLE with
politics, now finds that politics is very
serious matter after all, and that to let it
alone is but to invite social and civil
anarchy and ruin. Politics touches us at a
thousand points, 1t is like the air which
encompasses us on every side, all-per-
yading in its influence. Even religion has
to do with politics in one re-
spect, certainly - security for its
free exercise. Politics may and
has been so managed that there shall
not be to some in the community freedom
to worship God. What then? viii you
who now so piously abstain from politics
think that you have nothing to do with it
should you chance to be among the pOliti-
cally oppressed? We rather think you
would be gored into meddling with politics.
But religious freedom, even when once
guaranteed by law, needs to be guarded
with unceasing vigilance. This, however,
is but single point The evils resulting
from any considerable portion of the more
respectable and religious part Of the com
munity sustaining from politics were fears
fully conspicuous in the history Of Califor-
mia, where, at one time, civil society by O
violent revolutionary process had to be
resolved back into its original elements for
new start on a right foundation. This
terrible necessity might have been pre-
vented by uniting politics and religion.
The divorce brought disaster. Politics is a
noble science, and has occupied the best
thoughts of some of the greatest men of
ancient and modern times. Everybody
allows this. It is in the practical handling
of politics that it gets bad name. And it
must be confessed that too often the true
ends of government are lost sight o., and
we have instead pitiful scramble for
office. Politics becomes synonymous with
political gambling, Places are bought and
sold, votes are bartered away for gold, the
ballot box becomes dice box, and men are
driven here or there like so many cattle.
But what does all this prove? Why,
that politics is too serious matter to be
neglected by any man, least of all by men
of religious principles. What is religion
What is its nature and purpose It pri-
marily and chiefly concerns our relations
to God as our creator and preserver, and
the supreme ruler and judge. 1t embraces
the ideas Of obedience, worship, and ac-
countability. Religion thus holds an ex-
allied place. But is il too high to concern
itself with our earthly interests and duties
Not unlesss God is above caring for his
creatures. The fact is, that just because
religion is of SO high and pure a nature,
jast because it binds us to God by the
most solemn of all obligations, it should
make itself felt in all our earthly relations
and duties. Nothing is beneath its notice
or control, certainly nothing which so vi
tally affects mans well being as civil gov
ernment, or to use another word, politics
Does politics degenerate intO low partisan
ship For Heavens sake, let religion come
in to purify and elevate It. 70 turn it from q |
curse into a blessing. Let the sanctions
Of religion be brought to bear npsn mems
eonsciences, and let them feel that to en-
gage in politics is a religious duty, to be
exercised in the fear Of God. No comH1u-
nifty is safe where religion and politics are |
practically divorced. And in fact Chris
tianity, in It's authentic documents, does de.
clare mans political duties. 1t defines the
nature, objects, and uses of civil govern
ment, affirming that the magistrate is Gods
miaister for the punishment of evil doors
and the praise Of them that do wen, and
thus making civil government in fact a
divine Institution, So that be whose reli-
giOn has nothing to do with politics is
wiser than his maker. We may 90 10 far
as to say that any system Of religion which
has no eounsels TO give pertaining to !
sphere Of human action so important 10
human welfare as that Of ciyll society
thereby proves ITSELF not to be Of divine
origin. It lacks at vital point. 1t is not
! universal religion. 4 ei
It is a noteworthy fact that the colored |
rase 50 remarkably unite politics and reli-
gion. The religious portion can not be
Convinced that religion Is not to be carried |
Into lhat realm Of action 30 closely identl-
Aed with their wslisbeing as politics. They |
feel that their earthly all depends on poll
.ies, On good and iual government; and
meg lraiy believe that that same Fathers