The New York herald., 1872-09-14
What He Thinks About Dragging
Ones Religion Into Politics.
The Charges Of Copperhcadism and What
They Amount To in the Face Of
His War Record. of
His Views on the Public School Cues.
ton and Sectarian Donations.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE-aOvERN0R.
The Men Who VIII Vote for Him and the
Men Who VIII Not Vote at All.

- u0 uacA w uO VIII vVUC AOA AhhAn AAAW VAAO
Men Who VIII Not Vote at All.
Francis Herman. the democratiolbcral candidate
for Governor, made the Filth Avenue Hotel his
headquarters during his stay In the city. Among
others who called upon him early In the evening OF
Thursday was q representative OF the HERALD,
who had the pleasure Of quite long talk with the
gentleman as to his prospects OF success IN the
coming campaign, and the ways and means which
are being resorted to by his opponents to damage
him In the eyes OF the people Mr. Herman, 1t
ehould be stated, had no idea that the HERALD re-
preventative intended to make the conversation
public, and consequently spoke his mind freely,
making no effort as he might possibly have made
had he known that he was being interviewed, to
conceal his real views as to certain matters
IN connection with his political standing, which
the partisan papers are just now making great
howl about. After the conversation had become
quite general and the ''situation" had been dis
cussed from all points Of view the HERALD represen-
tattve ventured on delicate ground by asking:-
''Y0u have doubtless, Mr.. Herman, read In some
pf the papers that your religion will be great
drawback to you in
, THE COMING CANVASS P'
81 have seen statements to that eject In papers
with whose editors the desire Is beyond doubt
hather to the thought" was the reply; "but
assure you I have no apologies to make to any
body on the score Of my religion. The fact Of my
being Catholic, In my opinion, has very little to
do with the questions which are to be dealt with
during the present canvass Before I allowed
my name to be used In any way as
D candidate this matter OF my reli-
Eion was thoroughly considered, and do
mot think that the opinion OF some Of the very best
N a
ought not to weigh against him in political con-
test Is wrong one. The fact is Sir, the American
people have good common sense, and they canrot
DE induced to array themselves for or against any
particular candidate solely on account Of his re-
aigfon. Every effort TO DO 80 Is contrary to the
spirit Of our constitution and can never result In
any good, and those who strive to make
A MANS CREED
one OF the political issues OF campaign do their
pwn side serious injury. Everybody in this coun-
try Ia free to worship God after whatever fashion
ne pleases or his conscience Dictates and because
one man believes in the teachings OF certain re-
Mgion. no matter what 1t may be, do not think
that ought to be reason why politically he should
be bounded bv those who do not agree with him in
his religious belief nor do think 1t justihes him In
opposing his political opponents on the score OF
their religion. would regret exceedingly to see
religious questions dragged into political contest,
Ior they would only give rise to feelings and pas
sions which would be dangerous to our politics in
the long run But, as said before, l have apol-
ogies myself 10 make to anybody because am q
Catholic. have always In the past tried to do my
duty as
CITIZEN AND A CHRISTIAN,
and have never allowed my religious convictions
TO Interfere with my political duties-tnat is have
never made politics and religion dependent one
upon the other, for mans religious
belief Is one thing, his political belief
quite another thing, and see no reason why the
one should be in any wise connected with the
other. II simply because am Cat holic should
be willing to do anything inconsistent with my
duty to the people OF the whole State as chief
magistrate, or drag In my religion to influence me
In any matter OF state, would deserve to be utterly
defeated"
"And yet, Mr.. Kernan," asked the HERALD repre-.
sentative, "do you not thiHk that there are many
who will vote against you for other reason than
because you are o Catholicr
II have no doubt my dear SIR that there are
those who will be carried away by
THE sENsELEss TALK
that certain partisans are making about my re-
llgton; but, as have already said, the American !,
this State as In every other State OF the Union,
know that the great majority Of the voting popua.
OF a mans religion 70 enter into political contest
as q dead set against his election. Indeed. from
all classes and OF all creeds, do not hesitate to
say that there arc many-very many-who will be
Inclined to support me simply because there are
those foolish enough to make war upon me because
] am a Catholic They understand full well that it
would indeed be a bad precedent that OF making q
public ONCE / am sure that the great majority OF
the people care very little about candidates re-
Igi0us opinions, SO long as he Is
UPRIGHT AND HONEST,
and is ever ready to do his whole duty faithfully to
the people. regardless OF caste cqnes factions or
concerned, I have never allowed myself to be
swayed for single moment for or against any
person running for Office on account OF his religion
The good common sense OF the people is against
any such narrow -mindcdness as that OF making
mans religious creed qualification disqualified
be So"
some people say, sir that you would, II elected
Governor, use your influence to defeat any attempt
toward the dong away with
sECTARIAN DONATIONS
Some people may make assertions of that cbarac.
ter but what grounds anybody can have for max
ing such charge cannot for the life OF me under.
scs any such IN the eatsep ta.
tonal convention OF which was an humble men,
Der, took decided stand against sectarian dona
lions USED all the argument ! vas capable Of
making to show that for one was opposed to the
idea OF any particular sect depending upon the
donations were to be made to any sectarian inst.
tuition they should be made TO all on fair basis or
them on altogether, argued, or
DEAL EQUALLY WITH ALL.
That was my opinion on the subject then, ana I
have seen nothing since to change my view OF the
matter. In fact Il comedies with the opinion Of
every prominent liberal-minded, so-caed anti.
sectarian in the State who believes that II dona-
tions are TO be made they should be made with an
equal hand to all institutions. I claimed then, as
claim now, that dd not, and do not want now,
10 have my Church or institutions bearing Its name
any other; J put the thing in this wsy:-If dona.
tons must be made let every sect be dealt with
equally ana fairly II not, cut the Gordian knot OF
the whole matter by doing away with the dona-
tons altogether. In my own county OF Oneida the
people know my opinions on this subject have
never made any attempt to conceal them.r
"You are also charged with being opposed to
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM,
Mr.. Herman smiled rather contemptuously at
this, aud General McQuade, who happened TO be
In the room at the time, laughed outright and ex-
claimed. "Wly. Mr.. Herman ia now q Cnmmissioner