The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-12-21

CHureb aud Sta,e-TGe Teachings Of
HistOy-Ns Liquor Law-Sena.
toriul, DC.
An esteemed friend, residing n few
miles below here, sends US the follow.
Ing letter for publication:
Nr. Editor Looking at tho conli.
ton Of the government Of tho United
States. and The manner III which the
country has been governed rot more
than ten years past, is enough to
make men believe that the persons in
authority aro aiming to subject the
people to similar government to that
Of England. Aud il we look at tho
teachings Of a majority of the religious
denominations among US, forcing upon
thciS members and the public the doc.
TRUE that tie masses Of the people
have neither lot nor part in the law.
making department. The Pope and
Bishops must make such claws, rules
and cdiCts' as they desire for tho gov.
erument Of their churches. But Tics.
proceedings, it seems to me, are con.
tfary to the teachings Of the New les.
lament The Apostles did not claim
to be tho Church; and when they rep.
resented Christ and Him cruCifed, 10
the followers Of Christ and other per.
sons-tesching them in all godliness,
their mission was completed. This
clearly shows that they considered
themselves servants Of Christ m the
Church. Tho believers, or number
of professors ia Christ, uniting them.
selves together, forms Church, Now
let me put the qucstion-would not
the cause Of Christ be advanced moro
If tho ministry Of this day could 10
content to carry out the example Of the
Apostles? The reader can see tho in.
fuence of the teachings Of this one.
man power. 1t certainly has a ten.
dency to corrupt public morals, to lead
the people from the truu source Of
power, and to cause tho masses Of the
people to lose confidence in and res.
pect for religion. The people compo-
sing church should control their own
government, aud the ministers should
be as servants to them. l want to ask
does not the teachings Of these
churches, or the power that the minis.
Try IL trying to usurp, have rescm.
blanes TO our present political rulers I
By their acts they say that they are
the government, and the people are
their servants. This was mot tho case
prior to 1860. Government officials
up to that period understood that they
were tue servants Of The peOpel, aud
tho people made the government that
the people alone had The power to alter
or make laws by which they we're to
be- governed; aud tha. their servants
had no power e1oep. thOl which had
boon granted to them by the people.
Prior to 1850 the Office holder adhered
to the Constitution. How has il been
for tue last 10 years? We have seen
private property taken /; the rights of
the States trampled upon, aud armed
soldiers sent 10 abrogate tho righIs Of
citizens, aud force upon the people, OIL
GERS contrary to their desire. | hold
That all this kind Of doctrine has bsen
contrary to tho authority Of the people.
But ltilas grown rapidly. Common.
eiug with tie churches, our political
governors have fallen into this mode
Of governing by one man power. lfit
is continued, il will not be long before
We can say that wo once had, but nov
have not, q FREQ Church and a GCner.
Vi Government.
Let INC say word to tho new Leg.
stature: Stop tue sale Of intoxicating
'plrits altogether, or open tho tralliC
o all. As Ii is, IL Is making a privi-
igcd class 10 our State, which Is con-
raty to Democratic teachings.
Hen. j. NJ Bennett will DO our
IeSt United States Senator. We want .
good man 10 that position.
LEWIS cousTr