New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-30
RELIGIOUS Prescription IN POLITICS.

RELIGIOUS Prescription IN POLITICS.
There never was great wrong which did
not cloak itself with some pretext of right
AS you have only to imagine that the man
before you is feeling for his pistol with intent
to draw on you in order to justify you lac-
cording to a popular cOdel in shooting nm
dead, so you can always assign some reason
for your neighbours conduct that will justify
you in striking him down. The Know
"Notbingr order never confessed itself proscrlp-
tive: it was only guarding the country against
the perils of "foreign influence" The hu-
Klux Klan, according to its own account, was
league for common defense against negro
thefts &C., &c. In short, every assault on
Equal Rights deals in kindred formulas, IN
flames kindred passions, and employs kindred
weapons.
Francis Herman is as pure man as ever
was nominated for Governor of this State.
lie has served in tho Legislature, in Con-
rress. and in the Constitutional Convention,
and in no capacity did he ever give oflense
to any except by his politics. He has de-
liberated and voted on School questions and
those relating to the appropriation OF Pubic
| Moneys to seminares under the control OF
| this or that religious denomination, and his
record is luminous and unexceptonable. Yet
the Council of Political Reform" has adj
dressed to tho Protestant clergymen OF cur
City an appeal, which says:
political parties have ordained themselves into
authority the public and conscience
in matters Of politics, disputng the claims Of even
Divine authority The practicable position Is. that
truth. honesty, and fidelity to public trusts have no
sanction the conscience Of men in tho sphere OF
politics that they bound to respect SO deep has the
poison Of great heresy struck into the body polite
that has to DO no longer public reproach to be
dishonest politics Indeed, elasticity OF conscience is
special qualification in modern asprants for political
positions. Interruptions audacity Is the sign by which
they conquer
1--WE respectfully suggest n this state Of things does
not strike at the very foundations OF our civilization
and public morals II it does not menace the work OF
religion 10 less the order and security Of the Sate
and if it demand SPECIAL interference OF tho
ministers OF religion the responsible guardians of
public virtuef
"a special reason exists for this interference In the
present aspect Of political situation in that sectaran
issues have wckedy thrust into the present guber
material contest, threatening our system OF popular
education and the traditional independence OF our
public policy from any sectaran bias or complication
In the desperation Of party extremity, tho denomna-
tona prcudces Of the ignorant masses arc appealed to
for party support 1t is the obvious duty, We THINK OF
those most responsible for general intelligence and our
religious liberties to their friends TO their
defense The Justice OF alone is not sufficient
security against the combinations Of its enemies These
must be met by an organized defense. We re-
spectfuy inquire it may not be practicable and wise
TO present this subject from the pulpit previous to the
approaching election"
These vague denuncatiOns mean simply
and only this-NO citizen of Roman Catholic
faith must ever be chosen Governor. No
matter how strong in integrity-nO matter how
stainless in life-nO matter how correct and
Just his action may have been on the very
questions which afford the pretext for his
proscription-he must, if proposed as a candi-
date be inexorably struck down.
If this be right, then constitutional inhibi-
ton Of the choice Of any man of like faith
would be justifable and proper. But right it
cannot be, or religious creed should be i'm
bedded in the Constitution, and all who dis
sent from it be excluded from voting or hold
ing Office.
Messrs. Jackson S. Schultz, j. c. Have
meyer and other prominent citizens unite in
this appeal for prescription. They ought surely
to regard the day of Catholic Emancipation
for Ireland as one of baleful note. The
beauties of religious test that multiplics
knaves and hypocrites have just been
forcibly set forth by Mr.. Froude in his
brilliant lectures. If religious conviction,
personal piety, purity of life and converse
ton, had been made by the Reformers their
touchstone, Mr.. Herman need not have shrunk
from the ordeal. But his personal worth is
never questioned: his religious creed is the
sole ground of assault upon him. How can
truth, honesty, and fidelity to public trusts"
bear sway over political action, when these
arc treated as of no practical concern, and
candidates creed regarded as of mere account
than his lief