The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-04-22

conflicts with Gods law. But what
rights has man in himself? What is
he in himself? What Is he and what
has he that God has not given him ?
Shall he turn In rebellion and insist
that God is usurper when he claims
that all power and authority come
from him?
Why, the doctrine of Il DDS exclusive
man freedom it is the highest guaran-
ty of mans dignity. 1t says emphat-
ically that each man belongs to God
and to God alone, that no fellow man
has any authority over him, whether
as ruler or master or father, unless
God gives it to him. Hence follows
the great republican doctrine of equal
ity, which is that while men are crea-
ted absolutely unequal in health,
strength, wealth, mental power and
all other circumstances, they are crea-
ted absolutely equal as to authority.
No man has any inherent right to do
minion over another. There must,
indeed, be authority In all human So
ciety, but 1t COMFORTS best with a sense
of personal dignity and original indie.
y
comes directly and only from God.
But it is difficult 10 see what practi-
cal difference it makes at any rate to
the political philosopher whether
authority comes from the people or
from God, provided the people choose
their rulers. The only practical differ
ence between a hereditary government
and a democratic one is that, in the
latter, rulers are elected by the people.
And this is just as much the case
whether the people are or are not the
source of power. 1t was, therefore, a
spirit of captious bigoted hostility
which could form a charge against the
Church of antagonism to republican
government, because of the doctrine
that all authority comes from God,
while the Church distinctly recognizes
the fact that all the agents of the gov
the people.
No! The Tribune aud its kith really
mean that they do not like that por-
ton of the doctrine which proclaims
that the Church represents Gods spir-
itual authority on earth. They will
admit, generally, that no man is bound
to obey a human law which contra
venes divine law, but this is only on
condition that each man must judge
for himself. of the contrariety. They
will not listen for moment to the
theory that there is tribunal which
can pronounce authoritatively for all
men on such questions. This theory
would construct a distinct government
"a spiritual one it is true-but still q
real government with power not only
to hamper the State but to dominate
it in many important matters. The
idea is intolerable to them that a
mighty government with all its stars
and spangies and insignia, its epau-
lettes and flags and gold lace, its armies
and navies and civil service, its great
men and wise men and learned men
that this representation of worldly
might and physical force should be
liable to be halted and countermarched
by few peaceable old gentlemen in
cassocks and square caps.
| But if it is the will of God that there
shall be human tribunal for the au-
th0ritative teaching and Interpreting
of His law, who can object to it? But
it is not SO, says the Tribune. Very
we'll, but it might be so there is moth
ing in the nature of things to prohibit
it; therefore let US not object to the
theory in itself as being an intolerable
one. On the contrary let us look at it
in the light of historical facts. In that
light we see that individual judgment
as to conflicts of human and divine
laws has resulted in rebellion, massacre,
assassination, and civil war and every
form of fanaticism and crime. On the
other hand the Church has ever been
the bulwark of the State. 1t has pro-
tected the State from itself by prevent.
ing immoral legislation which would
have destroyed the basis of society !; il
has protected the State against the law.
less passions of subjects and citizens by
teaching them to obey God and all in
authority.
The Tribune and its fellows know all
about the news of the day, but the
great teachings of history are sealed
book to eyes that are wilfully blind.
The Natchitoches Vindicator think:
that the financial prospects are certain
ly not very hopeful under the banefu