The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-16

ecclesiastical power is superior to thecivii
power-ihat the law OF the land is sub 1
ordinate to the law of the church. A
more dangerous doctrine could not he nd
vanced, or one more likely to array the
people against The church. Religious ques-
lions ought never to enter into politics.
The old day of prosecutions have passed
away and the new day Of toleraion has
come in its stead. The law knows no DIFF
ference between Catholic and II Protes'
tant, it, aceortls the same rights and i'm
poses the same responsibilities on hoh. Ii
gives them freedom to worship Cod ac-
cordipg to the dictates of their own con-
sciences but il requires from both an equal
differentiation to and obedience of law.
The Catholics of Canada, however, have
the shadow of all excuse for their preten-
sions. They claim under law of Quebec.
framed upon nm old French law hy which
the church was supreme, and although this
law was abrogated one hundred andsixieen
years ago by the English conquest, yet it
has practically prevailed until called in ques-
ton six years ago by the Guibord case.
The Catholic priesthood are able, earnest.
intelligent men, they knew what tie law
was, they ought to have known what the
result of an appeal to the law would be, yet
they forced on the conflict and row slan1
Ia open defiance of the law and civil al,-
thorities
IL is not only in this Gnbord case and
the act of Bisop Bourget in cursing his
intended burial. place that this attempt to
subordinate the civil to the ecclesiastical
| power 10 shown. This same Bishop Bour-
get Is endeavoring to enforce the authority
| of the church elsewhere. In the parish of
| Vercheres a. new road was laid through
| land owned by the Catholic church, the
| land being appropriated and valued accord
ing to law. A lawsuit was Instituted to re
cover the land, which went from cont 10
court by appeals and was in each Instance
| decidedj agains, the church Aud no"
to the people of Verchercs to return the
land and pay the expense Of the litigation
| under penalty of a'iln-tht
ban of the church being deemed powerful
enough ID enforce a compliance with the
bishops commands. As the people al
that parish nredvided in opinion. another
riot, and conaequent appeal to arms, is ap
pretended The conflict ID Canada pre-
sents the square issur: Which is supreme
the church OF s,ate? There can be- only
one, ppssibe apswer. The civil law is ane
must remain supreme. The ecclesiastical
authorities must how to the supremacy o
the civil law We regret that this conilic
should be presented in any form. We re
greet it as much for the church as for TIL
people-as the church must suffer the mos
in the long run. Itis easy enough to rais'
the religious preiudces OF the people, bu
4 who can quietthc We abhor above al
things areigions issue in politics, but j
the Catholic chutGh desire to raise such al
issue the people will be found ready I,
meet Ii ~ Tho church will be compelled t,
yield its pictensions, bat Il severe blow
may. AZ The ,sitrnc time, be given to reli
i gious tolefatiop The Catholic Church cal
i prevent this couhictif they will, fand main
tain their equalfrights and privileges witt
all other denominations they do II
ii Upon them rests the responsibility