The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-07-28
THE GOVERNORS UNPARDoNABLE
SIN.

An able correspondent secures the
publication of letter in the Ne1cS,
discussing Governor Roberts act in
refusing to issue proclamation,
calling for a day of thanksgiving
and prayer, to use the language of
Governor Foster, "for this blessed
deliverance of our president, and
for this great goodness to this ma
tion." This letter-writer, rejecting
by no means the present opinion
of the Ne1oS, says:
'ENow that the presidents condi-
ton is less dangerous, the governors
of the different states propose to
insure his complete restoration to
health by appointing a day for
thanksgiving and prayer through
out the Union. Governor Roberts
has seen fit to decline to interfere
with the jurisdiction of the clergy,
or to assert spiritual dominion
over the people of Texas.
1t has always been a part of the
theory of the government not to
commingle politics with religion.
History teaches that such a COM
pound is not a .health-giving
medicine for the body polite, as is
attested by the prosecutions of the
early Christians by the heather, the
Jews by the Christians, the Hugue-
nots by the Catholics, and the Gov
enantors and Puritans by the Es-
tablished Church. 1t is just possible
that the trainers of the federal and
state constitutions might have had
in mind the lessons taught by the
Roman arena, the massacre of st.
Bartholomew, and the workings of
the blue laws of Connecticut, when
they pronounced an eternal divorce
between church and state, and rele-
gated religious worship in every
form whatsoever to the conscience
of the people.
1t is in accordance with human
nature to run to extremes in times
of excitement, and, upon occasions
like this, even men of reflection are
apt to lose sight of sound constitu-
tional principles in the expression of
sentiment. This is illustrated gen.
orally by the advocacy by many of
lynch law upon the would-be assas-
sin, and especially by the PROPOSE
ton of an eminent statesman to en-
graft upon our laws a distinguish
ing feature of absolute monarchy,
viz: prescribing a different penalty
for offenses against the person of
the chief magistrate than against
10 ~
of this same disposition to run to ex-
tremes prompts impulsivc persons to
run wild over the discovery that
the wound is not as severe as at first
supposed, and that a good constitu-
ton and great mental strength will
probably effect the presidents re-
covery. This class of impulsive per-
sons may be inclined to condemn
Governor Roberts action III declin-
ing to treat the people of Texas as
an ecclesiastical congregation, to be
united in prayer upon his official
call; but, upon reflection, it can
hardly be doubted that such proc
lamation would have been at least a
tendency toward the exercise of
prerogative not vested in him either
by the laws or the constitution.
If an official proclamation inn
poses no obligation, and is wholly
meaningless, it would be puerile for
the executive to take such action.
If, on the other hand, its office is to
impose the least obligation upon
the citizen to observe it, then it is
an unwarrantable interference with
affairs which belong exclusively to
churches, and Governor Roberts has
rightfully recognized that this state
is not diocese of which he is the
bishop.
If governor can at his pleasure
create religious calendar and set
apart certain days for religious ex-
ercises according as his plety or
thankfulness may dictate, what limit
could be prescribed, and if the
precedent be established, to what
lengths may the practice be carried ?
Republican institutions in Amer
lea do not permit religion TO in
wade the domain belonging to gov
ernment ; they do not admit of tenn
poral power interfering with re-
ligiOn, nor do they allow dictation
by political power in any manner
pertaining to religious exercises or
religious belief.
Appalling as the fact may be, per-
sons exist within this state who did
not believe that day or q month of
unremitting prayer would effect the
least change in the presidents con-
dition, even though such devotion
should be performed in pursuance of
ecclesiastical and legislative as well
as executive command, and yet such
persons, under the theory of our
government, have an equal interest
in the governors official acts with
those who think good might be ac-
complished thereby.
All those who desire perpetual
severance of spiritual from tempo
raj government, as well as those who
are jealous of further encroachment
upon the spirit as well as the letter
of the constitution, can not fail to
look beyond impulsive sentiment,
and approve the action of Governor
Roberts in declining to fix a time by
proclamation for the people of Texas