Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-13

overwhelming patronage, which would DESTROY
al balance of power and reduce the minority to
q mere cypher. W
President Grant proposes. AS you have read
to tax church property; what do YOU think
Bishop, of that proposition?
MY opinion is that if church property is taxed
premium is put on intdelity and religion is
made odlous and burdensome because = penalty
Is imposed upon such as support the churches.
as general rule our heaviest and most numer-
Gus tax payers are church members. It would
Dc exceedingly hard upon them, besides the
ta4atlon on their property, to impose an sddi-
lion tax for the erection and maintenance ,f
churches which bring them no revenue, and
when rebound to the progress of civilization
and humanity.
What do you think, Bishop, would he tho ra-
suit OF such taxation?
Inc inevitable result in my judgment, of
such taxation would be to cripple the churches
snd increase the burden of the State by com
pelllng 1t to become the almoner of the Door
VINO are now cheeriuly supported by private
ina'lincelice' hehce, rs measure, both Of re-
LYON and enlightened self interest l think that
the taxation OF churches and of benevolent in
stitutions is be Deprecated
What religious denomination do you believe
would suffer most?
Throughout the United States the Catholics
forming ABOUT one seventh of the entire popula-
tlon and possessing about one seventh of church
property. would suffer in the same proportion :;
but III Virginia the pressure would be felt more
severely, perhaps, by the Methodist, Episcors-
nan, resoyterlan and Baptist denominations.
Rev: Mr.. Dashell Was found at his church
attending choir practice The following con-
versation took place:
Reporter: Have you read President Grant 5
message?
Mr.. Dashiell: Yes sir, 1 have.
Whst is your opinion, Mr.. Dashel in re-
gard to the school question?
think that the introduction of the Bible
question IN connection with public schools
ought TO have been avoided if possible. But
now that the issue has been made | think that
frotestants, Catholics and Jews should make it
their object to hay 9 the question settled in the
klndest way and in manner that would be sat-
lsisctory to al. II strikes me that the course
pu1iued by our public school authorities here in
Richmond has solved the icuty satisfactorily
to rs, and | think their example might we'll be
initiated elsewhere.
What is your opinion in regard to the Presi-
dents proposition to tax church property?
IN the main | am inclined to agree with him.
If would disagree with him ut all, it is that
would not, under %ny circumstances have taxes
laid upon y church ediice or upon church prop.
eriy used for purely benevolent purposes Very
expensive churches, costing million of dollars
or more, might appear to some persons proper
oblec!S 81 taxation, but Us all these sanctusries
are held to be devoted to the worship snd SER
buildings always exempt, whether they cost
little or much. Property which is really
source Of revenue to . diocese or CONGREGATION,
ought to bear its burden of taxation l should
dislike very much to see Il tax laid upon such
church property rs ST. Pauls Church Home or
ST. Joseph's Asylum, which like church edifces
arc benevolent institutions but it seems to me
as not 80 Objectionable in the case of real estate
or any other investments which may directly or
indirectly be source of income to any eccesi-
sstical body.
What denomination, Mr.. Dsshiell, do you
think would suffer most from taxation
suppose that the Roman Catholics would
have the heaviest assessments TO meet in the
country at large. But in Virginia, particularly
IN the rural districts, it would bear very hard
upon the Methodists and the Episcopalisns if
the law should be made to apply to psrsonages.
Rev. DR.. John +. Edwards made the follow
ing statement: do not hesitate to say that |
regard Bishop Haven as nuisance His views
L charltably hope, represent but small por-
ton Of the great church with which he is off
cially connected. If believed that his views,
us expressed in the joint meeting of the Metho-
dist preachers and the Methodist Sunday-School
Union, and as reported in tho Boston papers,
really represented the sentiment of the Metho.
dist Eplsc pal Church North, so far from favor
ing any approximation to al organic union be-
tween the Southern and the Northern churches,
should depre ate fraternity itself as a calamity
and as involving a shameful compromise Of
southern MetLodsm. The line of policy re.
commended by President Grant in relation to
the taxation OF church property would prove rs
disastrous to religion and good morals MS the
thing Is unjust AMI inqultous in itself There
are Two sides TO tho question, but one Of which
seems seen TO nave boon considered by the President.
Church property does receive the protection of
the government but church property pays that
To the government which is infinitely more
valuable than the dollars and cents it would pay
IN taxes Taxation Of church property would
cripple the church in its benevolent enterprises
to an extent that would be felt as y fearful re-
coil on the government itself.
:, Key. ID; {. q. Biting, pastor of the Second
Baptist Church, said: l earnestly approve of
such constitutional amendments. Federal and
State, as vii! etlectually snd finally prohibit all
appropriations, direct or Indirect, from any pub
nc treasury-Fcderat, State county, municipal
or othor, in aid ofany sectaran institutions or
schools whatever. Our pablc schools must be
maintained at all hazsrd, and kept from becom-
ing scenes Of paTtizan strife or scctsran pervcr-
slons,. The State should BIZ kept free from all
complications with proselyting establishments,
ana those who choose to sustain these latter
should DC required to do so wholly at their own
cost. All property, except only buildings ha.
bltually and exclusively used for religious pub.
lie worship, should bear its due share of the
public expenses. Sooner or later, it will be re-
CURED MS necessity in this country as in Aus
1''"i AoSyi iouSCi oCIuIhIS aHu SuIn6 OLQGr
countries; The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of ecciesasti-
Ct; m by the State has always demonstrated it
Sell AS dangerous to the liberties of the people
and source OF both religious and political cor
rupton. There may be many specious pleas
TOR State patronage but sound principles oppose
all determinations or assistance by tho State to
religion, propsgandism. Protected by the State
In peaceful privileges Of religion we ought not
to desire exemption from I'LL cost of govern.
ment.'
Rev. S. A. Steele tho now pastor of Broad
Street Methodist church, said
The conduct Of Bishop Haven ought to bring
the blush to the cheek ofevery N orthorn Mctho-
dist. What business has Bishop Haven, or any
other Bishop, il termeddling with the political
issues Of the dsy? If this precedent is to be tol-
lowed where will DC the constitutional rights and
Liberties of our people? Bishop Havcn's con
duet would be less offensive, did he not repro.
sent church which controls nearly million
of voters. 1t will evoke resolve that unqucs-
tlonabiy s!umbers in the bosoms of millions Of
our countrymen, to preserve the liberties OF this
country from ecclesiastical domination.
WOOdlaWn Farmers Club.
al IN ba a pJr;,