National Republican., 1880-07-20
Tho Democratic Platform.

10 he Editor Of The National Republican:
SIR: OF the the third clause OF section 2
Of tho Cincinnati platform much needs not
be said; and of the fourth, perhaps nothing.
These clauses aro expressed in tho following
language: "Scparatou OF chu rch and state
for tho good of both; common sch ools fostered
and protected"
Now, tho only criticism which we have to
make in regard to this declaration of the Gin
cinnati manifesto Is this, that it is introduced
in such u loose way as to imply that there has
been or may be congressional legislation in.
imical to religious liberty, or such legislation
as shall give TO tho church power to restrict
civil liberty and interfere with tho civil rights
Of ctizeus. There certainly can be no such
legislation without direct and open viola.
ton OF tho constitution When tho cOnsttu-
tion was adopted people and statesmen were eau.
tious and prudent. Indeed, ii was not adopted
without bitter opposition. Hence, tho very
first congress which met under tho new sys-
ten Of government, April 80, 1883, made ton
amendments, which were all adopted by the
states, and became part OF the fundamental
law. Tho very FIRST amendment declares that
congress shall make no law respecting an es-
tabishmcnt of religion or prohibit tho froe ex
errise thereof" This ia certainly an eil9ctuhl
Beparati0n OF "churcli and state" so far rs
tho general government Is concerned. Wo
cordially agTPo to tho doctrine announced in
the democratic platform, but Offer as u crlti.
cisn want OF o2plicitness in the statement of
10.
Now, the Chicago platform has also plank
upon this Same topic, and thore is no msun-
derstaudiug what 10 means. 1t shows clearly
that tho republican platform makers knew
Just what they were talking about, and II thore
ia danger II clearly points out its source. 1t
Is refreshing reading compared with the Gin
einuati manifesto. Here 1t Is;
"1hO constitution wisely iorbids congress TO
make any law respecting an establishment of
religion, but it is idlo to hOpO that the nation
eau be protected against the influence OF sec
tarianisn whilO each state is exposed 10 its
domination. We therefore, recommend that
the constitution b0 80 amended rs 10 lay the
same prohibition upOn tho legislature Of each
state aud 10 forbid tho appropriation Of pub.
lie funds tO jcdtarian schools" This Is plain
aud siatesmanliko IL reGltes just wha. has
been done aud just what ought TO be done 10
make complete separation Of church and
Stale, aud 10 relieve tho nation from tho dan
ycr of scotarian domination and tho danger
OF appromiating the public funds to the sup
mort of scCtariau schools. win the democracy,
coiniug ny squareiy 20 tho support OF ths doG.
trins which ihuy have announced, aid the re-
puhlicaus in the accomplishment of this good
woIk7 Republicans hold that, as IL is tho
doctrine OF The national constitution, so II
should DO OF mo constitution OF each state
chat every man may worship without fear or
tnlcstut.5l as Dc plc1scs, when no plcases and
where hu plca5os; that no shah not bo arb.
unuly iaK1d 10 .uypJit any church estab-
li-led hy laWi That he may pay Is much OF as
htuo AS be plcsHc' for religious purposes, aud
90 ANY church lac prc:cssi and hgIly that no