The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-07-27
A Religious War

Is this to be a religious war? God
forbid. If it be so that Romaniom
makes common cause with France,
because Prussia is the seat of Euro
pean Professionalism, the Papal dynas-
ty will have reed of all its Instability.
There are signs even in this country,
that parties are to be divided upon the
war according to religious creeds.-
The mass of the Irish are bitterly OPP
posed to the Germans in this contest.
And while some of this bitterness may
be attributed to old national hates,
more of it must be laid to the account
of Romanism.
Political parties also, may be affect
ed, for already are sundry OF the Dem
ocratic papers espousing the cause of
France. The Democratic party can
not afford to lose its Roman Catholic
support, hence, should actual hostili-
ties ensue, and the war be prolonged,
it would not be q matter of surprise
to find the Democratic party, in this
country, taking sides with Popery and
priestly rule of the nations Cleveland
Herald.
The idea that the present hostile at
titude of France and Prussia is the re-
suit of a religious dispute Is preposter-
rus in the extreme. The question of
sectarianism has no existence in the
misunderstanding. The position of
France, on the infallibllity question is
quite as orthodox as the greater part
of Prussia. Those, therefore. who
would attempt to convert the struggle
into a sectarian war, are simply fanat-
les, in the full sense of the term.
The Government of the United
States has instructed its Diplomatic
Agents abroad, as TO the question of
neutrality, This government wi be
neutral during the pending war. Why
then attempt to inaugurate a ~sectarian
discussion through demoralized politi-
cal Journals in this country? What
good can come of it? We are unable
to perceive that the interests of the
church and the people T to be ma
terially promoted by so doing.
The true secret is this. The HerGM
and its kith are sick, even unto death;
with the stencil of American politics,
and if it could stir up a little ill blood
between the various sects and denomi-
nations in this country, and awaken a
little spite between the German and
Irish portion of our population, it
would divert public attention from the
true issues of the times, and be a
pleasant diversion for Republican edi-
tors.
The assertion, that already Demo-
cratic papers are taking ground in ia
vor of France, because she is a Catho
lie power, is all stuff. The Democra-
cy champion no creed nor church, but
have always insisted, that in this free
land of ours every man should worship
God, according to the forms deemed
most appropriate. The bare sugges
ton, hat the government or any 9TH
er earthly power shall interfere with,
or deprive him of this right, is revolt
ing in the extreme
No threats of sectarian vengeance
will induce, we trust, intelligent Amer
lean citizens 10 turn aside from the
true issues of the day, to snap and
snarl and burn and fry each other, be-
cause a licentious political press will
exult in the devilish work. At the
adoption of the Federal Constitution,
the question of religious liberation
was wisely settled, we trust, forever,
in this country. The man, or set of
men, who would thrust aside that set
Element, and kindle again the fires of
religious persecution, is a fiend at
heart, and a full grown child ofsthe
devil. .r@.l H :
Let the broad banner of religious