The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-29
CHURCH AND POLITICS.


From several quarters the report
comes to The Herald that officious Re-
publicans are endeavoring to use what
has come to be known as Church in
lfuence" in politics. We trust that this
lis not entirely true. If it becomes nee
lessary, The Herald will have to ven
tilate this matter thoroughly. 1t will
not be done without cause nor will there
be anything hesitating OF. hidden if need
IreQuires.
The Herald does not take the position
that a man should be muzzled because
iof his ecclesiastical position in any
Ichurch under the sun. Every citizen of
the United States should be free to ex-
Iercise his influence as a citizen, to pro-
mote what he believes to be for the
best interests of his country and of hui
manity Church office does not sepa-
rate man from his citizenship nor di-
vest him of any right as member of
the body polite
But on the other hand, it should not
confer upon him any additional power
under the state. Simply as citizen a
churchman has all the rights, privi-
leges and immunities of citizen. But
when in addition to them he claims and
uses, for partisan purposes, the sacer-
dotal power which exalts him in the
eyes of some people, he obtains an I'M
fair and unrepublican advantage over
his fellow citizens, and that provokes a
resentment that in this country is likely
to prove serious.
These remarks are made that The
Herald's position may not be nlisunder-
stood. Religion ought to affect mans
politics to the extent of influencing him
to do right, to be conscientious, to be
just and fair to Others, to support good
and wise men and measures and to pro
mote the general welfare. That is not
a union Of church and state That is
not using church power over state af-
fairs. That is not presuming on the au-
thority which ecclesiastical office may
give over church members, to exercise
1t so as to impel them in a political
partisan direction.
1t is this to which we allude when we
speak of church influence to promote
the interests of the Republican party.
We believe that when any church Off
cial states that it is the duty of
church member to vote a Republican
ticket he steps out of his place. and
that he he is not authorized by his
church or justified in religion or poll
tics TO take such a course. Equally
would he be wrong and unauthorized
to make it a church members duty to
vote a Democratic ticket.
Every citizen is free before the law
to make his choice of parties and of
candidates. That liberty has been pro-
claimed by the general church author
tiles in this territory We know of no
sect which claims the right to dictate
now ats members shall vote. Therefore.
when any individuals seek to exercise
undue influence in this direction. we be-
lieve they are stepping above the plane
Oh thelr legitimate church authority, as
we are sure they are assuming more
than the rights of a consistent citizen
We do not intend to give heed to
vague and uncertain rumors or. this inn
portant subject. But if there is need
for it, we will be ready to publish facts
ana names which are duly accredited
ana certified to by reliable persons.
the wrong complained of. We
VIII not notice anonymous communica-
-ltons or hearsay assertions. Give us
ne straight goods or none at all And
people who are interested enough in
exposing wrong ought to be courage
BUS enough to let their names go with
their evidence. We want a square deal
n the politics of Utah.