The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-05-22

In public Libraries then in the streets or
drinking saloons. The same nav he said
OF our children and the pubjic schools II
| Is CANNED that our libraries benefit the
sunday because they are public charities
ln ltseii considered, were that the whole
prooiem, men, women, and children had
better be found on Sunday in these nlooaS
lecture halls, art galleries, and even thea
ters than in the grosser haunts of vice
But this is no part of the problem. To as.
sumo that they must be ip one class of
places or the other is wholly gratuitous
The closing of the library does not necess;.
tate the opening of the dram shop and if
ii did, it would still, possibly, be better
that some persons should visit places of
vice under their own and public condempa
ton, than that the Sunday of quiet wor.
ship should be lost by the whole commu
nifty. Ii becomes us We'll to consider
whether the canting plea fer opening the
libraries is not the thin edge of the WEDGE
whose full prostrations are seen in the eX.
traordinary demands above mentioned
A philosopher, who detects the subtitle
influences which temper civil life and bus
mess honor, will be likely to conclude
that far deeper mischief than the forego.
ing has already been wrought by the as
sumption that our government rests on a
purely secular basis, and ought to rest
there. We know the engfossing and even
debasing influence of secular affairs when
one renders himself to them. Who of Won
has not, after week of iaEing toll come
to your Sundays worship and found inspi.
ration, renovation, and q nobler ambition
for the future endeavor Better still has
been the experience of those who have
borne constantly in their soulsa quicken
ing sense of Gods presence and authority
Things secular become sacred and work
becomes divine. Who dan say to what
extent we owe our recent great National
scandal, Credit Mobilier,D which mantles
our cheek with shame and disgraces us in
the eyes ofthe nations, to the prevailing
secular theories of government +? Who
can say to what extent such influences ep-
crate to corrupt our politicians and pois-
on the foundations of civil life
Another pernicious result of the silence
of our fundamental law in regard to Chris
tianity, is the inability of the government
constantly to deal with that foulest plot
upon our modern civilization, the polyg-
amy of Mormonism. Our President has
recently indicated his purpose to take this
matter in hand. Congress and the country
appear to assent thereto But with Chris
tianity eliminated from every department
OF the government, what warrent would
there be for such proce eeGings9 Do not
Christianity and Mormonism stand on pre-.
cisely equal grounds before our National
Constitution Must not Mormonism, if
condemned at all, be condemned outside
the Constitution +? Would not the philos-
ophy we are opposing paralyze the ma
ton in the direction Of its noblest en-
deavors? Can there be freedom without
law and would not the elimination of
Christianity, which is in reality our high
est and our fundamental law, make no.
blest freedom impossible to us?
Is this the road our fathers intended to
travel? Is it the road we, their SONS, are
willing to travel i? HaB this nation ever
undertaken the dubious business of elimi-
mating all difference Of opinion?, Does
its noble theory Of !. toleration even
imply the opposition philosophy-the du-
ty of suppressing, in all its laws and in the
expression of its varied functions, whatev-
Christianity infringes the Atheists coll
science no more than dees Atheism the
Christians conscience. 1t is as far from
his house to ours as it is from ours to his
Recognize Christianity as our fundamen-
ground The recognition should, of course,
be in fitted terms-notin terms that can be
defended merely, but in terms that their
clearness and freedom from ambiguity
need no defence. Such an amendment
would work no miracle, by influence, not
magic, would it bless the nation. 1t would
furnish anchorage for the national faith !;
it would legitimate tn influence of Chris
tian morality in modifying criminal law !;
it would legitimate the spirit of Christian
ity in all law.
But it is said persecution will follow
How . is not union of Church and
State. 1t is recognition of no church, but
| of all that which lies behinh all churches
Christianity itself. 1t is proposed to base
no legislation upon it and it can there
fore stretch Out no hand to oppress any
man or tyranize over him. Most of our
State Constitution have similar provisions.
These are much near er to the people than
the United States Co Institution, and yet no
tendencies to persecution have been exhib-
tied. Educating influences, not restraining
power, is the sole agency it could WELD.
That agency, from the high places of the
nation, it would WELD with power and eff
cheney. Whatever others may do, wish
to record my voice in its favor. When the
serried ranks of infidelity shall demand the
suppression of the name of God and the
mention of Christianity, wish to stand
among those who will say them nay
among those who reject in the purpose,
promise, efficiency, and glory of Christ's
Kingdom among men.