The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-03-16

convention lately in session at Syracuse, New York
there was a decided ~mingliug Of piety and politics
Rev. DR.. Peck, of Albany, from the committee on the
subject of " Our Position and Duties as Christian Cit
zens,' submitted a paper which excited deep interest
Under the heading of sour Position, u the report holds
as follows:
First-We propose to speak and act, not as church.
men, but as free American citizens. a@ f5
Second-We ask no peculiar privileges for our own
church We will concede none to any other.
Third-We demand equality of rights for all loyal
citizens. ,." .,.
Fourth-We do not question the right of ~sectarian
education by those who are willing to meet the expense
and bear the responsibility.
FiftE-We insist upon equal privileges of education
for all future American citizens in common schools as
a public charge.
Sixth-A refusal to enjoy these common school
privileges furnishes no grounds of exemption from
equal taxation or right to special appropriations.
Seventh-lt is according to the common law of the
United States of America, as well as of England, that
civil liberty and modern civilization are grounded in the
Christian religion. We propose, therefore, to maintain
our rights as citizens by an unf1inching defense and
fearless propagation of Christianity.
Eighth-Not ~sectarian education, but secular learn
ing and moral culture, based upon reverence for God
and His holy word, are indispensable to good citizen
ship, and hence the proper charge of the State.
Ninth-Tbe Bible was given to man as man. There
is, therefore, no legitimate power in any man, or COM
binations of men, to deny its use for any length of
time to any human being. 1t is our national book,
and we will firmly and unitedly resist all attempts to
remove it from our common schools.
Tenth-In the above named principles the Ameri-
can republic had its origin. 1t cannot survive their
destruction.
observation-disclosures and supplying in any way
intoxicating beverages are crimes against the State.
They should, therefore, be suppressed, and not sane
toned by law.
Twelth-We announce as our distinct aim the alb
solute prohibition Of the sale of intoxicating liquor to
be used as a beverage. We propose, therefore, to con-
tribute our entire influence to the elevating of public
sentiment aud law to this grand result. In the mean
time, we stand opposed to the entire license system,
and propose legislation which shall hold all dealers LA
BILE to prosecution and damages for the injury inflicted
by their acts upon the persons or estates of the Ameri-
can people.
Thirteenth-The Christian Sabbath is fundamental
to American freedom. Its protection by the govern
ment is, therefore, a high public trust.
Is Fourteenth-Brbery and all forms of political cor
ruption are destructive OF the rights of the people.
They should, therefore, be exposed, published and pre-
vented by the people.
QUEENS ELIZABETH AND ~MARY.-Froude has at last
completed his work. He is not an admirer of Eliza
beth any more than Motley. According to both his
torlans she was a petty, va~cillating woman, who never
knew her own mind for two days together, and who
more than once brought the country to the verge of
ruin by her tckleness, her utter %incapacity for rule, her
fondness for contemplate minions, her systematic
treachery aud f%alsebood, and her mad avarice. She
swore like a trooper. Her chief diplomatic weapons
were barefaced lies-aud such lies! She was false to
Murray, false to Morton, false to Orange, false to AL.
encon, false to Philip, false to everybody. She was
unstable as the wind, and as blind as a mole. 1t was
not by her efforts that the nation was saved, but in
spite Of them. 1t was saved by the craftsmanship of
Burghley and Walshingham, by the energy of that
England which was Protestant, and chiefly by the ina
bility of Spain to concentrate her forces on the inva-
of England. The one great quality of the Queen
was her dauntless personal courage. Such is Mr..
Froude's portrait of Elizabeth and Mary is drawn
with a yet blacker pen. Richly gifted with intellect,
full of fascinations eloquent, acute and witty, she knew
no scruples when she had to compass an end of am
bition or affection she was as treacherous as Elizabeth,
and more subtle she lied with as much system and as
much skill she assisted in the murder of her husband,
she ~instigated the murder of that Queen by whom
she had been protected from the fury of the English
people and the English Parliament. Mr.. Froude's por-
of Elizabeth excites contempt, qualified by adrni-
ration; his portrait of Mary attracts admiration quail.
by horror.