Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-09-23
Phihdelphia -RAlical.1
THE KNOw-NOTHING ExPEDI.
ENT IN OHIO.

establishment Of = State Church. How
eser practicable that might have been
4 thu beginning il i impossible now.
The 6rst amendments % the Consti-
I1zl17 81 1he Unitrd Stntes, ad6p>ea in
I76g, provides that 'CJngresS S6a1l
make no law respecting the establish
nent Of religion, or prohibiting tho free
exercise thereof" Ever since the found
ing of the Government the fact that all
nationalities and religions have been
cordially invited to make their home in
this land of the free-that neither birth
nor creed had to do with the qualifica-
tions of citizenship here-has brought
hither constant tide of Immigration,
until now we are the most heterogen-
eous people on the globe. We have
found this no bar to prosperity, but rath-
er the cause of friendly rivalry and mu-
tual improvement which have placed Us
in the very van of progress.
The experiment of Native American
ism was thoroughly tried about quar-
ter of century ago, and proved Ia
mentable and tragic failure. National
prejudices and religious fanaticism are
as explosive and dangerous. as pow
der magazine, and it is the worst of
follies aud crimes to excite them mere
ly to promote the selfish schemes of
reckless politicians. Yet this is being
done on an extensive scale in Ohio by
the managers of what was lately the
Republican party of that State. These
managers were unfortunate enough to
get on the unpopular side of the cur
rency question, and, Notwithstanding
the distress of the work-people and
manufacturing interests, have been clam
oring for policy which means further
contraction, and an aggravation of ex-
isting evils. This course was threaten
ing disaster; SO the currency question was
quietly dropped and, by general con-
cert of action, the "No Popery" fire.
brand was hurled into the canvass
The Hayes men-they are 10 longer
entitled to be called Republicans, having
attempted to found a new war on Sec
tartan rancor-accused the Democratic
party of being leagued with the priests
to destroy the free schools and give the
Catholics dangerous and subversive
privileges. Variations of this wild charge
are now the staple of their campaign
arguments.
We denounce this course as an un-
pardonable crime and folly, because it
is an abandonment of q real issue to
take up false one, and a departure
from the proper sphere Of politics, to
stir up bitter religious war, for which
there is not the slightest shadow of an
excuse, and which can only result in
much harm, both to the cause of relig-
ion and peace of society.
If this charge be we'll founded and
there be a real danger to the school
system or any other of our free institu-
tions, every good citizen should join in
such measures rs ale necessary to pre-
vent it, no matter at what personal sac
rifce. There must be no compromis-
ing with any enemy of these institutions,
either foreign or domestic. But in
Ohio as in Pennsylvania, there are con-
stitutional provisions which place the
School Fund beyond the control of any
Church or sect, and the Democrats of
both States were almost unanimous in
voting for both these Constitutions
We have no affiliations with the Dem
ocrats, and no Church or hierarchy can
ever control our columns, but the truth
must be told.
1t is charged that the Roman Cath
olics and Democrats in Ohio are COM
bined to divide the School Fund. The
Democrats in their platform say as
follows:
"l3. We favor the complete separa-
tion of Church and State, religious in
dependence and absolute freedom of
opinion, equal and exact justice to all
religious societies and purely secular
religion at the expense of the taxpayers,
without division among or control by
any sect, directly or Indirectly, of
any portion of the Public School Fund -
That is explicit enough. and shows
| that if the Democrats harbor any such
sinister designs they dare not avow
them, but plainly declare contrary
purpose.
In the second place, the present Con.
stitution of Ohio, adopted by a Demo.
cTatIc HisAJoIitN III tue Soustitutioi.al
Convention, contains the following:
Article 6, Section 3 The General
Assembly shall make such provisions,
| by taxation or otherwise, as, with the
Income arising from the School Trus;
Fund, will secure thorough and effi-
cient system of Common Schools
throughout the State; but no religics.
or other sect or sscts shall erer have any
exclusive rights to. or control Of an,
part of, the School Fund Of this
State"
That, toe, seems explicit, and make.
it simply impossible for any party
or sect to disturb the school system.
But then it is said the Democrati,
Legislature passed, last winter. terri.
bic lsw-the Geghan Act-which give.
the Catholics dangerous privileges
Wen, here is the Geghan Law. Le,
US examine it with microscopic care,
"An ito secure liberty Of conscieuc,
IN matters Of religion TO persons i'm
prisoned, or detained by authority q
; law.
, ~SxcrroS l. Be it ordained bv th.
General Assembly of the State Of Ohio