The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-11-21
nrrDELIrr vs.. CHRISTIANITY.


There exists in this country a pecu-
liar class of people who entertain the
Idea that in religious, social and politi-
cal matters all the world is In error, and
they only walk in the light.
This class Of individuals are various
ly denominated as progressionists, lib
eral christians, advanced thinkers and
by numerous other Applications de-
noting superiority, which they modest
ly bestow upon themselves. Whatever
name they assume, however, these
classes are essentially the same. They
all agree in the necessity Of a radical
change in every department of social
and political life. For this purpose a
fusion of the illuminated minds of the
nation has recently been effected under
the leadership Of Col. Ingersoll, and a
new party created destined, says its nd-
vocates, to march beneath the %outspread
banner of in6delity, communism n
free love, to ultimate success. The
end to be attained by the Ingersoll
party Is communicated in different ways
to different individuals. Col. Ingersoll
himself aims only to overthrow the es-
tablished religion of the land, TO break
the theological yoke and set the people
free from the slavish bonds so. long inn
posed by a tyrannical priesthood. In
this idea the leader of the new party Is
supported by his most enlightened fol-
lowers, and this is the least radical OF
the many schemes proposed. The
great mass of those who constitute the
new departure party desire to over
throw government as well as religion,
and on the ruins of law and order erecta
society wherein license and unbridled
passion shall hold undisputed sway.
Without reference to the last aid by
far the most noxious result of Col.
Ingersoll's teach ing, we will briefly ex-
anime his own design and what he con-
siders beneficial to the human race,
viz: the utter expulsion from the mind
of relig ious influence; thus attention
was drawn to this subject by listening
to a sermon on home missions and
while the preacher discussed the ques-
ton from a religious view, we shall
view it simply from a secular and polit-
ical standpoint, without regard to creed
OF denomination:
The christian religion is the law Of
the land, and he who seeks to over
throw it, seeks at the same time to sub
vert the law of the land. We
are well avail that this statement
has been denied, hut that christianity
is the common law Of this country and
England is too plain for argument.
1t enters into all the relations of civil
life. 1t is the substratum Of u en- ire
social system. 1t exerts a mighty in
fuence in every department Of human
life and human industry. All the au-
thorities of social intercourse owe their
existence to the teachings of christi
anity.
Our laws are based upon 1t. The
courteous dealings of nations with each
other in modern times are promoted by
that religion professed in the most en-
lightened states Of the world. Wheth-
er 1t be true or not wherever its infu-
ence is felt, in any class, 1t exerts a
benefcent influence. Only once In the
annals Of the world did a great state
ever discard every form Of religion.
The experiment was a most disastrous
one. Never did a nation plunge so
deeply into vice of every description.
The period while inAdelity held sway
was appropriately termed the reign of
terror. The best and conservative per-
sons were compelled to fly from the
country. Thousands who remained
lost their lives or the scafford sacrificed
to the bloody Moloch of atheism. Far
more ~implacable than were the false
gods of the most debasing ancient sup
erstition.
Every such attempt must result in a
similar failure. 1t is based upon an
idea repugnant to human nature, and
will ever be Regulated by the great
mass Of the people.
We believe that religion is essential
to the perpetuity Of our political insti-
buttons. All experience attest the