The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-09-04
SECTARIANISM IN POLITICS.

AS much as the bringing of sectarian
issues into politics is to be feared and dep
recated, there are only too many good rea-
are drifting towards a time when church
influence will range itself openly and def
nitely on the side of party, and demand in
consideration of it's aid that its demands
shall be acceded to when the party that it
assists shall obtain the control of affairs.
Indeed, it may be said that this very issue
is now prominent in the Ohio campaign.
The Catholic Church obtained from the
Democratic Legislature of Ohio last Win
ter the passage of what is known as the
Geghan Bill, SO named from the Cincin-
natl member who introduced it. 1t con-
ferred upon the clergy of that church GER
tain privileges in the reformatory and penal
institutions of the State. The tone of the
church press in regard to it, and its att-
tude in the present campaign, are symp-
toms of dangerous alliance between the
hierarchy and the politicians. Without
affecting any disguise the Catholic organs
make the claim upon members of the
church that on account of the Geghan bill
it owes debt of gratitude to the Demo-
cratic party which they must discharge by
supporting its candidates. 1t is plain that
to set up such an obligation is denying all
right of private judgment, all freedom of
opinion as to the merits Of parties and
nominees, and making the authority of the
church predominant in purely civil affairs
No American citizen who understands and
appreciates the great fundamental truths
which this Government is based on needs to
be told that such authority is subversive of
republican institutions. The utter separa-
ton of church and State is foundation
stone of our theory of government. 1t
was firmly cherished by the great men
who established the nation, and it is no
less dear to those who have followed after
them. If it is ever displaced the entire
structure is in danger, but we do not be-
lieve that it can be SO long as we are true
to ourselves and an intelligent patriotism is
left in the land.
We have looked across the Atlantic at
the conflict between Church and State in
the nations of the Old World, and have
congratulated ourselves that with us there
was little prospect of the two forces be-
coming arrayed in such bitter antagonism.
But recent events in the United States and
the tendency of circumstances give warn
ing that the struggle may develop into
positiveness on these shores. To be sure,
it will not be in exactly the same shape.
In Germany the State seeks to limit church
powers that have been found inconsistent
with unity, peace and the supremacy of
tho Government. Armed with monarch
cal strength, the State forcibly withdraws
these privileges which the church has exer-
cised; while in the United States the situa-
ton is so far different that the church
seeks to acquire immunities that would be
new to our political system and which are
| fraught with peril. The aim of the church
Atlantic-to exert domination over men
superior to that of the Government, and
to place the authority of the hierarchy
above that of the law. 1t is with the con-
cessions that the Catholic Church in this
country insists upon that we have chiefly
to do. Its policy is manifested in its in
reference in politics, its help in electing to
office men known to be favorable to its
aims, and its demands upon Legislative
bodies for enactments favorable to it's in
terests. In the centers of population where
church influence is great, we chiefly find it
thrusting it's hand into legislation, procur.
ing special favors, obtaining extraordinary
grants to its sectarian institutions, and get
ting peculiar liberties even in the public
institutions. We know that this was the
case in New York under the Tammany
regime, and in regard to appropriations
the parallel holds good nearer home. And
there are not wanting evidences that can
not be mistaken of the steadfast purpose o.