Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-11-08
The clergy in Politics.
New York Observer.

It is the fashion of certain class of newspapers to sheer at clergymen who take an interest in politics. It is assumed that a lawyer or an editor has pre-emp- tive right to discuss political questions, to attend primary meetings and to harangue voters in halls or instruct them in printed columns Bat when clergyman ven lures to apply the principles of morality and religion to practical citizenship, he is either ridiculed as asimpleton who is talk ing of what he does not understand, or condemned for leaving sacred duties to deal with matters which are outside of his sphere.
 All such judgments are wrong. There are as many clergymen, in proportion to the whole number in the community, that are clear-headed in political matters as of any other profession or business. They are not led blindfold by politicians, as multitudes, either from ignorance or in dolence, are. They usually discharge their dUties as citizens promptly, intelli- gently and independently, and when they take part in public movements they have right, reason and sound sense upon their side. Those who criticise and con- demn such action fail to comprehend the rights and duties of elergymen.
 
 public teacher of religion and morality should instruct those whom he is solemn ly bound to guide and teach, upon all moral and religious questions. If the Bible informs him that no drunkard shall | inherit the kingdom of heaven, he is in the proper discharge of his duties when he draws the inference very plainly that no drunkard is fit to govern anywhere. If ! he is bound by his reading of the Word of God to say. Woe to him that putteth his bottle to his neighbours lips" he can not be doing wrong or foolish thing when he warns his fellow citizens against liquor-dealers in places of public | trust. If his divine directory condemns the bribe taker, he is oheying his Master when he holds up the corrupt official to the scorn and contempt of the community that he dishonors.
 We might argue from his rights as a citizen, which are equal to those of his critics, that the clergyman had rightful place in politics. We might with good reason assert that his intellectual train ing, his freedom from partisan bias be- cause seeking no place and having no petty ends to serve, pre-eminently fitted the clergyman to be guide and adviser to persons who had less knowledge and | with the position that nothing which bears upon morality and religion is foreign to clerical duty. This is especially true under democratic form of govern ment, where the clergy are untrammelled by connection with the State, and in those churches where no ecclesiastical superior can punish or psrsecute an offending minister.
 The clergymen of this city, without go ing beyond the sphere of their duty, can do great deal to secure good govern ment. One such speech as Dr. MackaB Smith made at Chickering Hall on Fri , day night is of grsat value to the com munity. It will influence more votes against corrupt men and corrupt measure: than dozen utterances of professions politicians. It is not the address of ; campaigner talking for party. but of ;
 patriotic citizen pleading for clean, homes
 and efficient government. It is the tall
 of a man whom the lowest of the pres
 would not dare to call fool, and whom
 partisans would attempt to ridicule onl, because they dread his influence. w need more of this talk in every city anC town, and the clergy should unite il
 alliances and unions to promote the com mon interests of good government through i, out the land