Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-27
IT WILL NOT PASS.

committee yesterday afternoon on the bill providing for the taxation of church prop erty. Rev J. s. James of Hartford was the only one who favored the bill. Those who opposed it were: Rev Dr Anderson of N eriden, Representative Newton and Alt torney Driscoll. of New Haven, Henry c. Robinson and Judge McManus of Hartford. and Vicar General ]. A. Muleahy of this city. After the hearing Judge Cowell, of the committee, said that the committee would probably report unfavorably on the measure. Father Mulcahy's argument. which was practically the address given before the Young Mems Catholic Literary association the other evening, was as fol- lows:
 In view of the fact that a bill is now pending before Our legislature to tax all church property exceeding in value Sl5,- 600, have thought it well to present to you some reflections on the measure. Considering that this enactment which il is now sought to procure is a radical de-
 arture from that spirit which has hither- to obtained in our legislature. it's nature and tendency, and inevitable results to the state are we'll worth noting.
 No student of the measure can fail to see that if it does in any degree repre- sent public opinion, this bill indicates . of faith in all things for which the. chris tian church stands and that it is, in a measure, the first fruits of these feelings. IL can no more have it's origin in zeal for religion than ice can come from the heated furnace. Springing thus from ip- difference or unbelief, it is necessarily in harmony with these feelings and cannot fail to foster a spirit which is essentially destr uctive of christianity and for that | sN e1N Sa'nY NfagT lie tic 10 the best interests of the state.
 My purpose then in what 1 have 10 say is that.
 First, Whatever weakens the arm of religion, restricts its influence. or retards its growth, is thereby antagonistic 10 the best interests of the state; and sho Ild not receive the sanction of the legislators,
 Second, This bill tends directly to weaken the arm of religion, restrict its influence and retard its growth, therefore it should not receive the sanction of the legislative body.
 Our first proposition that whatever tends to weaken religion. etc. will be fully proved If We show that religion is useful and necessary to the state in order to attain the purpose of it's own institu- ton. Hence we do not ask the state 10 torbear all legislation discriminating against religion, simply because that vir- tue alone can enable man to merit heaven for which he was created That is not within the province of the state But, at the same time, reason nd the common instincts of justice teach us that the state being itself the creature of God, instituted by Him for the benefit of man, cannot ignore the purpose of mans creation. the goal in which he will find his perfection and beatitude. Hence whilst the state is not bound to exceed Its own limits. il is unquestionably bound to promote the purpose of mans creation as far as that lies within the limits assigned to 1t in the divine economy. Any other attitude would be illogical, ungodly. He. the Great Teacher, has said, He that is not with me is against me-" Therefore We do ask the fullest freedom from religion and the highest consideration because. although it's ultimate.aim is the eternal salvation of man; yet the steps through which this aim is attained are these. and these alone which produce true citizen ship. which guarantee the stability of sO- ciety. and that peace. prosperity and ha : piness of man for which il was instituted. This being promised, return t0 my prop oSition that religion is useful and nsces- sary to the state.
 The bond of civil society which makes it unity and the state possible is that I mutual obligation existing between the people and the constituted authorities, by | which the people, on the one hand, be- lieve themselves bound 10 obey the laws and the rulers which this authority ap- pointed and ordains for the public good, and hV which on the other hand those on. slituled in authority believe themSel"tS | bound to protect the people in their rights to enable them as far as possible to pur- sue untrammeled the goods of peace prosperity and happiness. But a chief mission of religion is 10 strengthen and tC enoble this bond.
 For this purpose religion enables that | bond to rest it's claims upon the divine | authority itself, which says. Let every soul be subject to higher authority, for there is no pow CT except from God. h like manner il sstreTgI hens the sanction by which the state seeks 10 preserve this bond inviolable, because it introduces the same divine authority, saying in sup stance 10 us, this bond is mine, he who resists this ordinance resists my ordinance, and to him who transgresscS 1 will mete | out eternal punishment, and tn him who obeys 1 will give eternal happiness. Thu: we see that religion does not supersedt human authority, but eevates anC strengthens it with all the power of Him wh ois omnipotent and eternal.
 | I am not unaware that there are those l sent sufficient motives to induce obediencf to law. Nothing can be more false l Obedience to law is ever a work of sacri | flee demanding self-denial, generosity anC 1 love. These, utility and pleasure, they | being essentially selfish. can never bes:oW upon us. They are found only in tha region whose head has said, If any mar will become my disciple he must deny himself. take up his cross and follow me. , But even if utility or pleasure or the fea of consequences could force obedience. il
 would at best be lbut Ian external com
 pliance. These.elements cannot touch tn, heart, they cannot exact love. Religion | alone can enter that sanctuary of the soul | But obedience without love is but an emp l ty form entirely unable to raise man to th state of heroiSm which our country ofteI demands in her hour of peril and societ
 demands for truly upright life. Henc, | religion alone can form true citizens.
 The best thought of ancient times re
 echoes that truth. Cicero says take away
 religion and you necessarily destroy al
 confidence, ali human society, and tha
 most excellent of all vir ues, justice. l.
 confirmation of this truth 1 would adduc
 the fact that religion is natural to man
 and therefore cannot but be essential t
 the perfection of his nature Nowher
 has man been found who did not possess
 m some degree, this virtue. It must hay
 been implanted in his soul by his Creator
 gain. irreligien never built up the indi
 vidual man, nor sustained hlm in the hou
 of trial, and never built up a state no
 sustained it in it's hOar of peril. Withou
 religion man will find life not worth living
 Irreligion is to the state what sin is |
 the man, the greatest of evils. Solo
 Lycurgus, Anaclaisis Pythagoras, Komu
 lus, Numa. the great legislators of ancien
 times, as Cicero tells us, declare that
 perfect republic Is impossible without Tt
 wards and punishments; but religion prC
 sents to us rewards and punishments Ih
 most cogent, because they are eterna
 Therefore il brings to the people and [
 those in authority the most potent reason
 for the perfect performance of their dr