Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-13
COMMUNICATIONS.
Religion in Politics.

To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 In every national crisis three classes of cit izens are always prominent. One is com posed of the men who intelligently and clear ly comprehend pending issues and throw their influence and action accordingly. A second class, not caring to busy themselves with disputed questions, are prone to treat them alike indifferently, or else to float with the tide. third class-often the most zeal ous, persistent and energetic simply obey, as a mass, the impulses and statements they receive from such of their number as possess superior wealth. or talents, or station.
 Now, it is mere truism to assert that those men whose principles, feelings and conduct in life harmonize with the great teachings of s'The Sermon on the Mount will not ordina- rily feel and act in unison with either of the two classes last described. The reasons are obvious: their heaven-born munitions, dis corning and appreeiating, be it rectitude on the one hand or rascality the other, lead to truth and safety, while their range of every day thought and experience takes in, not temporalities alone, nor mere personal aims, but is conversant with that grand morality'' and practical prudence which are to outlast the ages. This accustomed bent and habit cannot but confer favor both an aptitude to judge of evidence and truth ful optics to discern the quality and results of public procedures and of partisan plat forms.
 It is competent for such men-and their bounden duty as well-to invoke the power in aid of their just and truthful convictions, which is comparable to no other power in efficiency and sure operation-that Is, the spiritual power of individual religious sup plication. Accordingly, if it appears truth as to such men in vast numbers among ourselves 1t does at this time appear (but re- specting which our subject does not require any expression of own opinion here)- that at the last presidential election the Re- publican maiorities of two entire States were suppressed by adherents of the very party who, both individually and in conventions, have all along shouted " fraud, D that the at- tempted Maine fraud was, apparently, con- nived at, well nigh the Union over, by the public organs and opponents of that party, that iibes and baseless denials are resorted tofby the same to cover the political mur- ders, in the ''Solid South," of inno- cent and defenceless freedmen - of which General Sheridan officially reported two thousand in Louisiana alone, and the subsequent New Orleans colored con- vention five thousand-and that national military officer of repute is put forth and cOnSentlng to stand Tor the 1f0SlOSncy III dH avowed dependence on States in which, noto- riously, no free ballot is permitted by his party therein dominant-then have these men of the class referred to ready and effectual resort to the Divine Judge and an assured hearing which none can prevent or enfeeble, or plausibly object to. The most pronounced repugnance to "Church and State'' need:beget hesitation to such free and authorized union of religion with indi- vidual D litics-a liberty without cavil, un- less on the part of partisans willing to see villainy rather than religion in politics.
 But, conceding to these suppicants a power and case if pleaded in the High Court of Heaven, there yet remains to the political copartners in violence and wrong one hopeful encouragement. They will espy this in the prevailing apparent unconscious ness of the religious masses to their great possession and indefeasible right of influence with the cause itself of all causes. They might and would ask with triumph, t' How many and which of the periodicals called religious have even whispered any pub Hshed reminder of this ?'' How many pas tors have encouraged and melted their churches to exercise this power and privi- lege? No one, however, could ignore or make light of at least one recent and emi- nently impressive, non-partisan and persua- sive exhortation to this great privilege and public duty made boldly in one of the pulpits of this city.
 New Haven, Oct. Il. GooD HOPE.