The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-19
PHEACHE AND LAWYERS 80
CHURCH AND STATE.

PREAOHERs AND LAWYERS - 4
CHURCH AND STATE.
We stated that there should be an alb
solute separation Of the pulpit from politics.
Not only was the assertion suggested by
the conduct Of men suddenly transferred
from one to another world of thought and
action, but because of its effect upon the
men themselves The Northern Methodist
Is now the royal church, the government
church, patronized by his Highness, UIys-
SEES l. Simpson is confessor to the king,
and church buildings South that belonged
TO the people were appropriated quite roy
ally by Simpsons understrappers. Simp.
sons agents pervade the South everywhere.
and have organized the black wing Of this
subdivision Of the church militant into a
distinct branch Of the Northern Methodists,
and the priests Of these African Methodists
shape alike the religions and political con-
duct Of vast numbers of the colorcd people
Wherever church of any name or charac-
ter or its representatives, have undertaken
to govern q country its history is one of
selfshness, OF bitterness, of littleness, and
OF inordinate hates. The very best of
preachers are the most dangerous of politi-
cal thinkers They are apt to deem them
selves absolutely right, and all differing
from themselves absolutely and wick
eddy wrong. John Ireland, to this
extent, would have made a model
priest. Everybody that differs from him
is necessarily dishonest and thoroughly cor
rupt. In fact moIalists as such have a field,
like judges, broad enough for the employ
ment OF the grandest capacity for thought,
and there is no reason, in their necessities
or personal ambitions, for their transfer to
the arena of government Makers If then,
in seeking to serve the State, save as moral
lists, the preachers do the State infinite
harm and commonly disgrace themselves as
Simpson has disgraced his cl 9TH, we must
still insist, despite the objection of the Mes
senger, that preachers, licensed as such,
should not be suffered, in a country inwhich
the separation of church and State Is the
foundation stone Of freedom, to hold polit-T
ical Office. If Methodists be represented in
government, SO must be the Baptists and
Catholics aud Presbyterians, and consti-
tutional convention made up of such mate
rial would forget practical questions of this
life, discuss the Bible in public schools,
God in the Constitution, and, finally, when
u Romanist nised his shorn head to protest
against the Nulgate, logomachy would
begin, TO end Mt the stake or rack or prison.
To some extent the slime reasons that impel
us to assert the necessity for the exclusion
of preachers from political Office would
suggest the prevention OF the investi-
ture of a judge with the gaberdine
of a vulgar demagogae.i Courts should
be as far removed from the influ-
enoe of popular prejudice as the pulpit.
The Judge should never be required to pro-
nounce an opinion because approved at the
time by popular verdict. Demagogism
on the bench has already befouled the err
mine everywhere, and'it is with shame the
intelligent lawyers of the country, the hon
est and worthy of them who are proud of
the honors the bar has won and of its pur
ity when pat upon the bench-it is with
shame these learned, upright lawyers con-
fess that the bench has become unworthy
of its ancient fame and simply because ju-
dicial honors must be won by pandering,
in many instances, to popular preiudices;
and then, when the goal is gained, the
judge uses his Office to win seat in Con-
gress. We are not sure, therefore, that
judges, like preachers, should not be con-
strained 10 confine themselves to the offices
they have preferred to fill. In the one case
there Is he reward Of infinite good done in
this world and Immortality beyond it; IN
the other, there is at least ar undying record
of wisdom and justice left which lawyers
win never cease 10 read, admire and APP
prove.
When there is, just now, little apparent
reason for this absolute separation of church
and State, the course Of events in the
North suggests the possibility of the com
ing necessity even in Texas. In Ohio there
arises an outright war waged against Ro-
mAnism, which objects to the payment OF
taxation imposed by the State for the main
tenance OF schools in which the protestant
bible is read and protestant propagandists
areemployed. 1.-THE schools were Romanized
the Frotestants, too, would howl, and We
are driven to the adoption OF JudgO Rea.
gan's theory that one man should not be
forced to educate another's children, or TO
clothe or feed them. In fact these collis-
ions OF religions aud Of forms and facts OF
faith are dangerous 10 peace and good gov
ernweps, aud the more widely the trainers
Of the countrs's law and Of lis codes OF
morals and ereeds are separated. the better
for the country.