Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-07-08
Religion and Politics.

DR.. McGlynD, of ST. Stephens Ro
man Catholic church In New York,
says very well some very true things, to
an interviewing reporter, taking as his
text the charge that the Catholics would
be opposed to Cleveland.
All this talk about Catholic votes and
and Irish votes-so far as IL would indicate
that the votes Of that creed or nationality
are dictated by their peculiar prejudices or
intert sts as Catholics or Irish-wOuld be
one Of the best Qualifications OF Know
NothinRism. l, for one, an q native citizen
of. New York, am not remiss in my duty Of
keeping up with the times and reading the
papers but am at loss To know why
any Catholic cannot look with favor or
disfavor, as he pleases, on tho nomination
Of Cleveland.
Even though the state executive may
have opposed at any time tho pretentions
TO Office or to influence with him in his al
ministratiOn of individual Catholics; or
even II he did not see tit 10 approve OF
some measure in which some Catholics
may have been interested, even then surely
IiwOuld not DO sufficient reason to dc
pounoe his administration as anti. Catho-
lio. He may have had the best OF reasons
for opposing personal reasons
80 strong as TO make his opposition a
duty. The same might apply to measures
from which he withheld his approval. |,
for one, am strongly inclined to give TO all
men, and more especially to those in high
places, the credit for honest intentions
until the contrary is shown. II the
governor has, even erroneously, though,
any measure unconstitutional or unjust
shall respect him oil the more for hif
honesty In adhering TO his convictions in
spite Of political aud popular demagogism
which II encouraged and embodened to
attain controlling influence, whether in
the name Of native Americanism or any
other national or religious preju
dicee, cannot but result to the
detriment OF our institutions. We
can easily conceive case OF q Catho
Ito governor OF president who, while most
earnest aud deyout in the belief aud prac-
tice OF hts religion, might find it his CON
stitLtional duty TO oppose measure that
might be urged even by a majority of hil
cc.-eligionists, including even bishops anC
priests. | should like To think 30 well 0
them myself as to presume that the,
would not want him to approve Of an
measure which his sense of duty could no
approve.
would TO GOd, exclaimed the priest
that we could erase and utterly abolish
all this wretohed distinction for aud
against nationalities aud religions, anC
that all our people would merge into on,
grand American nationality and seek bu
absolute justice and liberty for all alike
After all, 1t Is but more or less selfishnes
To insist no strongly upon our own sectiona
or class rights. The question with nj
true men should be, what is best and mos
expedient for the common veal. and /,
this, as in all other things, honesty is tn
simplest and best policy. IT should sure
be Of small account whether the - lid
waiter" or the collector, the scavenger Q
the highest official Of the state happene
to be OF the same religion or nations
origin with ourselves. Religion OF what
soever denomination il too often but
rich cloak for the hypooritioal demagogu
utterly lacking In tho first essentials OF I'll
principles OF honesty and truth wit
which he cloaks himself.
That is what we call downright sens
BILE talk. 1t is wrong to weigh man
religion against his politics, or to mi
the two up in any way whatever