Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-28
The Clergy and Politics.

To the Editor Of the Aennt5se Journal.
Many OF your readers will recollect an article
in the Maine Standard . few weeks since, con-
tanning "advice to ministers. in which they were
earnestly exhorted to 'vote as they prayed" We
have waited patiently for reply from some quar-
ter, but ~ none has ever come to our notice, with
your permission, we would like to note few
thoughts.
The impression received from the article refer
red to was this, viz. that the clergy as class
were either very MIGRANT In matters outside of
theology, or they were hypocritical, praying one
way and voting another
HE absurdity OF this must be apparent to every
one, but significant fact is implied in the state
msnt, viz, that the clergy, almost to q unit, give
their suffrage to NOMINEES Of the republican party,
and the same 10 true of the membership of the
various Protestant churches throughout the coun.
try. An equally significant fact is this, that Cath.
encs, almost to man, are identified with the
democratic party, hence it is obtrusively evident
that the ahsin Of State and Nation, civil. leg
lslativs and judicial. are in the hands of
the republican party the best portion Of
society VIII be represented But what will
be the result on the other handi If DEM
ocrscy triumphs, Romanism triumphs, and the
death blow will be struck at our free school sys
tenn, and our nation will commence q retrogrsde
movement. The Pope would probably ind this
country more congenial to his taste than Rome,
and would make this his permanent home, and we
should not be surprised in few years to meet an
other "TetzeT selling indulgences to American
citizens"
We do not deny that there Is corruption" with
In the republican party, and more or less dust
thrown By the republican press, but can democra-
cy show cleaner recordi II so, there has been
. most wonderful cleansing.
There is in The minds of many an idea that the
church should not meddle with politics, and that
. clergyman has hardly . right to vote, and we
know Of several clergymen who have not exercis.
ed their rgh, Of suffrage for years for fear of Civ
ing offence to some members Of their flock.
Now, while we do not believe the minister of
the Gospel should leave the pulpit for the political
stump. We do believe It /. his duty by precept and
example to teach his people loyalty TO their coun-
try ~ we'll ~ to their God and to use all his influ-
ence to secure such legislation as win best pro-
mote the interests of the Commonwealth"
few days since, at . municipal election in the
city Of Brooklyn, N. Y, thirty men were elected
10 Office. every one prominent Catholics all but
two were democrats. For several DAYS before
election the names Of the candidates, with neces-
sary introduction, we're deposited in the pews of
al the Catholic churches in the city We look in
vain for the democratic press to denounce this act
but an outrage is committed if the state of the
country Is mentioned by clergyman in prayer or
exhortation.
Not long since two prominent Methods, clergy
men. in South Carolina. were on the cars, abused,
iusulted and threstened with desth, if they did
not leave the State, by specimen of democratic
chivalry that had been down to Columbia to help
inauKurate Wade Hampton governor of South
Carolina. And this is no "wayng of the bloody
shirt
In CONCLUSION, would il no. be well for minister
and laisy to fesrlessly and honestly exercise their
right Of suffrage IN such a manner as shall best
suhserve the interest, not OF Romanism, not of
democracy, not Of republiesnism, but Of the ma,
tion % Q whole CLERGYMAN.