New-York tribune., 1885-02-19
TITO GREAT PRINCIPLES.

The extreme bitterness with which the Free
dom of Worship bill is discussed is to be dcprc-
Gated There Is reason why 1t should be
made the occasion for exhibitions of religious
bigotry on either side The opponents of the
measure will only increase the probabilities OF
its passage by pcrseyering in intemperatc at
tacks upon the Roman Catt Ole Church. lhe
advocates of the act in like manner will com
pass its defeat by misrcprcsenting the ground OF
opposition and by threatening members OF the
Legislature who vote against it with political
reprisals The fact that the measure has been
strongly supported by the Catholic Union does
not Justify the forOcious assaults upon IA power
full religious communion which have been made
from certain Protestant pulpits. Neither Is
there adequate excuse for the angry rccrinina-
tions made by the Roman Catholic press, nor for
Trades against Protestant intolerance and
sneers at "post-election Burchardism." Let
every one be just, and it will be perceived that
on each side of this controversy there IS a great
principle which commands respect. Critical
acumen in discerning the relations of those two
principles ia requisite; and the subject should
be discussed both at Albany and by the press
in a generous spirit of liberation and charity,
and without heat, excitement or partisan rancor.
The advocates of this act urge that 1t Is
grounded upon one of the fundamental
principles of American government. This Is
true. Religious liberty Is ono of the oldest
traditions of the country. The State Consitu-
ton itself declares that tho free exercise and
enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
"without discrimination or preference, shall
forever be allowed in this State To all man
"kind." When, therefore, the supporters of
this measure. assert that they demand for the
inmates of the House of Refuge and of other re-
formatOres receiving State aid a right that IL
guaranteed by the State Constitution and gen
orally recognized ~ the most sacred privilege Of
an American citizen. their argument deserves
careful consideration. Dcnunciation of Roman
Catholicism is not proper reply TO It, IL can
only be successfully refuted, if at all, by an ap-
peal to another principle IA fundamental as that
of freedom of worship. This is the character
istic principle that in the United States there is
an absolute divorce between Church and State
and that no public institution receiving State
aid shall be conducted in tho interest of any re-
ligious body or sect. On this broad ground the
opponents of the act take stand not only
against Roman Catholics. but against Episco-
palians, Presbytcrians,. .Baptists Mcthodists
"a well and their argument is not to be an
swercd by outcres against Protestant intoler
ance or by threats of political retaliation.
There are strong objections of practical
nature that may be urged against the Freedom
of Worship bill. The House of Refuge is one
of the most successful rcformatorics in the
world, and the managers, including both
Catholics and Pr0testants unite in declaring
| that it will be mpracticabe to enforce the pro.
posed measure without mparing discipline and
running the institution. Let these matters 20.
The legislators duty il TO weigh the two great
principles in the balance without fear or favor.
| The inmates of the reformatories are certainly
denied freedom Of worship. They arc allowed
| to attend a nOn-sectarian service; but that is
not freedom of worship They have the priyi- =
ege of freely consulting in private any priest
or minister; but that is not frecdo m
of worship. On the other hand. they
have forfeited by their offences liberty of action
and many other privileges besides freedom
of worship; and they cannot reasonably cxpect
to have the same privileges of scctarian Worship
which are enjoyed outside the institution
The Constitution of the United States provides
that Congressshall make no law rcspcctinp an
establishment of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof" Both PRINCIPLES are
there included freedom of worship, and State
| aid only To non -sccaiian institutions.