The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-17
From Richmond Wing, April 9Th.
REPLY TO "CONsERvATOR. ;.
To the Editor ofthe Wig:

To the Editor of the Wig
The logic of your venerable correspondent,
"COnservator," limps good deal, and there.
by does injustice to an esteemed editor of
this city. Under the guiSe of an elaborate
eulogy of DR.. Plumer, for whom he processes
great reverence (although he miSspellS his
name), your correspondent attacks the editor
of the Central Presbyterian for daring to give
his opinion upon most important question
Of morals, that is intimately connected with a
question in politics.
The separation of Church and State is
supposed to furnish sufficient basis for the
statement that editors of religious papers
must keep aloof from all political questions.
But it does not follow that, because the
Church and S ate are separate institutions,
and because the one is prohibited from legis-
lating with reference 10 the affairs of the
other, religion and politics are to be divorced
If the religion of country does not reach
and affect the politics of the country, it is
rot reaching its purpose. 1t does not &C.
compliah this purpose by legislation, but by
the use of the very means for the employ
ment of which the editor is here condemned.
If it be true, as your correspondent af-
firms, that there can be no important politi-
cal question which does not involve moral
one, then whose province is it to discuss the
moral aspects of the question? In all these
questions thus involved, it is of the first i'm
portance that the underlying moral princi-
Piles should be understood. If your cores
pendent is right, it would be easy for politi'
clans to subvert all the religious institutions
of the country by giving political name
and character to questions that involve the
very life of religion, If the Legislature should
propose law for the regulation of marriage
and divorce plainly contrary to the teaching
of the Bible, is the editor of our religious
paper to be silent because he must not dis
cuss matters that divide political parties ? Il
the incipient communists of our day should
undertake to relax the law for the observance
of the Sabbath, and should put in plea that
working men need such relaxation as the
present law will not allow, must the editor
keep quiet?
Theprinciples of morals are to be discussed
in all their connections; and the more in
volved the connections, the more important
the discussion. There is no danger the
Church will become a political engine, SC
long as she confines herself to the proclama-
ton and enforcement of revealed truth; and
if the truth touches politicians and politics
go much the better. When we utter the
prayer for kings and for all that are in au'
thority, that we may lead quiet and peace.
able lives in all goodness and honesty, it is
taken for granted that we have proclaimed
the truth that is in order to goodness. While
the Church editors do not discuss the Fund,
ing Bill, or the status of the Peeler Bonds
or any equitable mode of re-adjustment thai
may be proposed, they are bound to warn
their people against any propositions thai
may involve dishonesty.
: We share the admiration of your CORES.
pondent for the eminent Columbia Professor
but he went bow-shot beyond the editor Of
the Central when he not only addressed the
Legislature, but invited them to hear the
discussion continued from the pulpit of his
church. L. u. ?.