The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-10-14
CELEBRATION IN MEXICO.

II is rather late date in the history Of
North America for the Inauguration of n
religious war, but the attempt is being made
in Mexico. AS usual, in such cases, the
holy name of religion is prostituted and
made to do service against the liberty of
she people, the liberty of the press, and the
freedom of conscience, although in this case
there are wrongs on the part of the Gov
eminent. All countries that have obtained
these inalienablc rights have accomplished
their ends and secured their possession only
through the bitterests Of disappointment
and defeats, and their victories have often
turned into something worse than defeat.
Why there should be this desire for power,
temporal power on the part of religious de-
nominations, or toadies claiming to be such,
sc never could understand. The endeavoI
30 force a particular belief upon mans
conscience, and compel him to join in a
form Of worship abhorent to his reason and
conscience, is alike inexplicable. The very
fact Of its being forced would steel the hui
man heart against the reception of unques-
toned truths, and lead to infdcity and dig
belief. Yet the world has, repeatedly, been
,lcluged in blood for the single avowed pur.
pose of spreading particular form of be-
let. The stake, the gallows, the prison,
the pllory aud stocks have been resorted to
and used as converting agents. not only
for the benefit of the victim himself, but,
also, of his co-belieyers. Catholics and Pro-
testants, Jew and Gentle, Mohomedan and
Mormon, the "Churchman" and the "Puii-
tan" have been equally guilty. The cry
would go forth that they were prosecuted
for conscience sake, give us freedom to
worship God as we desire" This would
always serve as rallying cry and the OPP
posing secls would gather in battle array,
and fierce. bloody war would inevitably en-
sue, ana with what result? No matter
where victory pcrchcd, persecution went
an. We need not go to Europe, we have
examples of it at home not to be sure of
.,ctual war, but of death upon the scaffold,
',courging through the streets, banishments
40 the forest in the dead Of winter, and in
iine and imprisonments. 1t was, perhaps,
fortunate for this country that its several
.oonieS were settled by so diverse class
II people, differing widely in their relig-
ioas belief, A common danger united the
catholics, the Protcstants of all denomna-
lions, and the Quakers into common de-
tense, and, thereby, compelled liberation.
Bat for this our national constitution might
.ldye been silent upon the subject, and its
discussion have succeeded in shipwmcking
the Union.
The very idea of religion, especially of
christianity, is peace. The foundation of
is fuundation-the bible-breathcs of
peace and good will among men. What
'ioes a church, as religious body, have to
40 with power. Temporal power is as dis
connected from the very thought of the
worship of God, as are the ideas of light
and darkness. What cares, or ought to care,
II church, as an organization of churches,
for the possession Of immense wealth or
sf'i - Nii''Niii'htS itt IL ~ llllS grasp
ing for power and wealth that has ALWAYS
opposed civil liberty and religious tolera.
zion The idea of forced conversions, and
persecution and death for resistance.
whether tacit or open is for the further
ancc of power and wealth. The people
will triumph in the crd rs we have in this
country. One cause or another will lead
10 victory, but it will surely come, Mexico
~ making the effort to obtain religious
'oicra ion and has, in part, declared it. 1t
ls meeting with violent and improper re-
distance, but in endeavouring to overcome
this resistance, the government is violating
the very principle of liberation. The con.
9rcss of Mexico have decreed that "tbe !
church and state are TO be separate" and |
That Congress cannot make laws establish
ing or prohibiting any religion" So far 1t
is well enough and contains the whole
doctrine Of religious liberation. There is