The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-16
Politics, Society, and Religion.

Tho very interesting discussion which has
been going on among our correspondents "a
TO the possible election Of n Roman Catholic
as President shows that Protestant bitter
mesa against the Roman Church has not yet
died away. but that the old suspicion OF tho
mnchinntions OF the Pope still exists in
many breasts.
Yet at this very moment both Protestants
and Catholics are working together in COM
plcte political harmony at the Convention
now In progress at SaratoHa. The stronges.
supporters OF Mr.. FLOWER are Roman
Catholics, though he is Protestant; and
though tho Brooklyn delegation is led by
MIR. MCLAUGHLIN, a Roman Catholic. 1t Is
devoted in its LOYALTY TO Mr CHApIS, II Prot
estant OF New England aud Puritan descent:
Tho truth IL that the religious afiilia-
lions OF neither OF these candidates arc
brought into consideration. Nobody in the
Convention gives thought to the subject
Their standing rs men and as Democrats is
all that is talked about 50 far as relates to
thelr capacity for political leadership
Whether they pray in Roman Catholic
church or send up their supplications in u
Protestant house Of worship Is n matter
which concerns them individually and no
one else. The question to be asked is, Are
they true and able men, faithful to their con-
sciences and loyal to Democratic principles I,
So 1t is in all our political conventions
Democratic and Republican,. Protestants
and Catholics come together in them not as
religious partlsans. but Us political parti-
sans. Tho bond IL sympathy Is political
and not religious; and Catholics especial
ly arc noted for their zeal In behalf
Of Protestant candidates true and sound
In their political faith and practice
They are not looking for agreement
with their religious opinions, but for
agreement with their political con-
vIctions. AS it is at the nominating con-
ventiona, SO 1t Is at the ballot box on the
day OF tho election. The question of the re-
ligious creed OF n candidate to be voted for
Is not asked among them. Usually he is o.!
creed different from theirs; but whether
TINT be so or not. they support him Loyalty
Happily. therefore, tho question %: religion
does not enter into politics in any shape
The old Know Nothings brought it in for tho
moment, but the people cast 1t ont once and
for all. 1t hns never reappenred and Cath
Olics and Professionals. Jews and iniidels are
divided between the two great political par.
ties. united or In opposition on political
grounds only.
The same spirit OF tolerance Is now ex-
hibited in the society OF New York. Not
many years ago n Roman Catholic suffered
under social disability because Of his rellg-
ious separation. There was q social prciu-
dice against him. Nowadays fashionable
society does not inquire and does not care
whether its members arc Protestant or
Catholic. Its judgment is according to
q standard which does not measure
and test people by such differences OF
religious conviction. In social life Cath
ollcs and Professionals are mingled
together, and the association Is AMIGA
bio, harmonious. and happy. Many Of
tho most prominent families in the most
exclusive circles OF fashion are Roman
Catholics, though tho majority arc Protes.
tants. Several Of the most fashionable OF
weddings recently past and soon to come
have been solcmnlzed or will be performed
by Roman Catholic priests. Society no longer
makes any religious distinction and imposes
no social disabilities because OF religion. 1t
Is without prcjudices on that subject.