, 1874-01-18
Mr.. LiNcoLM's RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES.
20 TIE Editor Of The Chicd1o Tribune.

Mr.. LiNcoLM's RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES.
To the Editor ef The Chicago Tribune:
SIR; There has been great deal Of discussion
ate1y regarding the religious principles of the
late 1lr. Lincoln. which, in my opinion, is very
! much out Of Place. Mr.. Herndons letter in to-
days TRIBUNE is all very veil, as he is merely
supporting his character for veracity. which has
been called in question. But the question Of
Mr. Lincoln's religious belief WAS very un-
seemly cne to bring up in the first instance. and
is one with which the public of America hare
nothing whatever to do.
This country recognizes no religion; as Da-
ton, it has no religion; but, very wisely, per
1n1ts every individual to bow at whatever shrine
may seom good to him; interferes with nobody s
private opinions, as long as he keeps them to
them on his neishhoss; and asks no
one how the account stands between his
God and him. It only makes laws for our gula-
ance III our mutual relations towards each other,
and these laws are called upon to obey; it
commands us all, az men AID citizens, to do 70
aud so; but, with our relationship with God, the
spiritual world. and eterlity, it dsc!aims all
connection, and leaves us at perfect liberty to
pursue whatever course We will, 30 long as it
does not interfere with some right or privilege
Of others and herein lies the grcutest wisdom.
IL choosing our public servants, we do not ask
them whether they be Pagan, Jow, or Gentle,
or how their account stands in the Heavenly
Recorders Office; we ask, Arc they good citi-
to preserve, in their integrity, the constitutions
of the country7 Here We stop, and, with their
conduct as good citizens, all their responsibility
to us ends. Further thnn this we have no right
to inquire, and any further interference, on our
part, would be highly impertlnent.
Suppose George Washington had been
inidel. would he have bAen less great, or would
his character hive been less noble, on that
account ? The world, indeed might have in
dulged its morbid curiosity in dissectins. all the
Pharisaica1 pity, denied him entrance into its
:" Happy Hunting Ground ~ IN the great - Hcrc-
after" But, 1ntidel or not his chances of future
bliss would be just tlle same to everyone but tho
particular sect he happened to belong to. if we
allow the question OF religion to DO entertained
at all.
Religion is tho science Of the spiritual wor1d, j.
3 science that leads to something above and
beyond our mere material existence, aud assumes
q relationship aad compact between the Govern
ing Power that rules the vast "unBeen world "
aud tho spiritual principle that actuates our
selves; and our manner OF conforming to its
laws il a matter entirely between TINT Power
and ourselves, and with which the outslde world
has nothing to do.
What right, then, have VIC to enter the sane
tuary of maus COINCIDENCE, znd tear out the
records of his life, and exhibit them to the
public gaze? His relationship to the Stats aud
society may, leSitmasely, bo made subje't OF
discussion; but hls relationship to his God is
matter with which wo have nothing to do. If he
has been good citizen and law-abiding melnber
of society, il is all that We require; aud it ls
gross 1mpertinence to inquire further.
Now with regard to the Lincoln controversy,
it may be . personal matter besween Mrs. LIN
coin. Air. ucrndon, and one or two others; but
must protest against tue assumption that it IL
of auy importance to the American public, and
hope wo have heard the last Of it. Tie A1ner-
can public do not "aza one jot what particu-
lar bclief, or set OF beliefs, 11r. Lincoln en-
His character as citizen, ns states
man, and as D man, ID we'll knowa to tho world,
and needs no eulogy or embelllelWent from any
one It ls stamped on the evontB among which
gotten shall his name cease to be revcred.
Only second to that Of Washington is the
name of Lincoln in the hearts Of our people,
and one Of the grandest landmarks in the his
tory of our country is the figure OF this grand
old man stemming the furious waves that were
sweeping away our Constitution prestige
IS nation. He died in the midst of his glory
and usefulness Why, then. is his memory dis
turbcd By this paltry CONTROVERSY. the result of
which is not Of the slightest importance to us
Que way or the other, aad can have no bearing
IN bis character as p:!bllc man?
CHICAGO. Jan. Ii, 1874. JAMES CASSIDY.
sPtRiTuaL1sM VS.. MATER1ALtsM.-
To he Editor of The Chicago Tribune:
Sin: Tho criticism OF - Truth-secker," in
,our last Sundays issne. upon the lecture OF
Sen. Stiles, is representative specimen OF that
peculiar md queer sort of logic eu9ende1ed BY |
aish. If the doctrine Of Immortality is to be |
established BY such forced deductions rs |
his last attack upon Mater laiism has
,rough. to light, there is but little hope
If making intelligent proselytcs for the army
# believers. The writer Of tue criticism in
.uestion p11des himself upon the fact of being
awyer, and he should consequently Prove HIM
elf disciple of ccmmon sense and an advocate
# the maxim that fact alone, and not by
,othesis, must be the basis OF credible tczti.
nony. But, in spite of his cultured, legal
lance about his argument in bewildering confu-
aa ion. He attempts to convince Gen. Stiles OF the
ruth of sp,ri;ualiFm, by assd:ning premises
'hich do not exist, and By contoundlng tho na-
ure of reliable evidence, based upon facts, With
he undef;ned and indefnapte character OF al