New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-09
CHURCH And STATE ~ AMERICA.

A LETTER FROM THE REV. DR.. ARIIrAGE UPON
THEIR RELATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
CHURCH CORPORATIONS NOT ALTOGETHER EX-
TMPr FROM TAXATIOS-NO CHURCH EsTAB-
LIsHED AND SUPPORTED By THE STATE.
TO the Editor Of The tribune.
SIR: Your able article on Religion in
European Politics must, 1 sure, have given great
satisfaction to your readers, and more especially the
eongratula;ory statement winch 1t contained. that in
this country We hive "an absolute Independence OF
Church AMI State" Yet 500 that your correspondents
John j. Philips Of N.w-H wen, pronOuuces these fine
words" while he doubts their correctness. on tho
ground III 1t among tho property OF church Is
exempt ttion. Now, is 1t matter Of fact that
no form OF property held by religious corporations Is ex
empttd from taxaiioni In the State Of NewYJrk all
property he by such corporations is tax be except
ing that which strictly for religious. educational
and humanitarian purposes. ami for good reasons IL
ougt to be- But all other property held by such bodies,
the house of the pri at included, Is subject to tax,
and should he, because may be used for speculation
and moDey-making ends.
But how do these facts conflict with your statement
that uncer our Government there is an " absolute nde
pendence OF Church and state" what Is tao conncc-
ton OF Church and State in the Of which you
speak OF il In European Politics. and as the subject
has generally been understood in history Clearly
this the establishment OF certain form OF religion, by
legal enactment9, 10 the exclusion OF all other Forms
q
or of none az the case may be- compelled to support
the religion imposed upon them by law, however oonox
lous It may be to them And more than this the law in
such cases makes provisions for the education Of the
egzed that legazed Sect out OF the State
for the salaries OF those teachers and for the
erection OF church edcos out OF the pubic treasury
Nor Il this all The State defines the doctrines OF the
established sect prescri6es the practices to be ncuca
ted and the discipline to DC enforced therein; and of
cou1sc those who choose dissent from the established
sect on any Of these points, classed by law among
heretics, and compelled TO pay for what they repu
date while their form Of religion, If they have
one may or may be tolerated By the law, and
commonly they put under the social lhW ana often
suffer the loss OF certain political rights addition.
Now, take that ii is because nothing or TINS sort
absolutely independent OF the Church IN our country
which ia truly subject OF deyout Capitalization. but
not whit than that the Church such IL just
Independent Of the State. Church ana State know
nothing of each other before the law IN the United
st es But do understand yuu 10 say that religion
holds relation to the State here, or 1at the state
holds relation TO RELIGION for Ia fact tley mold tue
vital relation 10 each other. As understand the
question, the right TO religious liberty entered largely
INTO the considerations which lea To me Founding D0th
OF the colonies aud the Republic. III 1 am right the
whole theory OF political and civil llrlsprucence ~
far as 1t bears upon TINS point at all rests upon the
natural aud inaenablo right OF man TO De religious and
TO enjoy all tho necessary means for worship without
payiug the state for its protection while exercising that
right. While the state ~ separated from tue Church
SUCH under gwen name or form wdateyer IL Is not
and cannot be separated from religion. But, on the
contrary, Of Government intended that
IL should stand squarey upon the principles, and espe
caly the ethics OF Religion, and they nIertwincd
these utO the entire system OF our liberties that II they
should be removed Tor day tue Government would
fall to Protection Of religion by the Government
is its sellpreseryatiOn All forms OF worship pro-
ected In this country whether Jewish. Christian, Con-
fucan. Mohammcdan OF whatever, provided that our
citizens worship peace and obey the laws OF the land.
la every nation lis religious standard Is the standard OF
It's morality and ground Of It's law, simply because
all immortality tends subyert law, AID, therefore.
overthrow Al present no free government
exists where Christianity Is not the religion OF the people,
aud In UnItcn States tie highest authorities
decided again and again with Judge Parker. and Daniel
Webster, many others of our Interpreters OF the
COnstitI ion aud laws that Religion Is part of the
common law" IL follows then. that IN protecting
ligOu our Government protects the common law, aud.
according 10 George Washington IL does no
Its duty here.
When Washington resigned power In 1876 he said in
his yaledictOry address 10 the public OF the United
States: o. all the dispositions and habits which lead
10 political prosperity religion and morality are ndis
penbabe supports In vain would that clailn the
tribute OF pItolsn who should labor To subyert
great pillars of human happiness, these rm props
the dulles of men and citizens. Tue politician.
equally with the pous man, ought 10 respect ana to
cherish them volume would not trace all their
nections with private and public felicity Let simply DO
asked where the security for property for reputation
for life, II the OIL religious desert the