Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-05-07

ligious beliefs, are, If otherwise quail.
fled, eligible to hold office. have taken
an oath to support tho constitution of
the United States, as well as that of the
state of Nebraska, and that oath must
be observed.
81 could not, if so inclined, vote to re-
iect a competent and worthy man for
public position to which he might be APP
pointed by the president because of his
church connection or particular religious
belief, nor would do so under any cir
cumstances. am firm believer in the
efficacy of all churches. They are de-
signed to benefit the human race, and we
cannot ignore the fact that the world is
made infinitely better by the teachings
of the scriptures. do not feel justified
in controverting the precepts laid down
by the apostle Peter in Acts V. 34th and
35th verses: of a truth perceive that
God is no respecter of persons. But in
every nation he that feareth him and
worketh righteousness Is accepted with
him.
"As public servant it is not for me
to violate either the language or spirit of
the Bible, the great charters of our lib
erty, nor the decencies or prophecies of
public life, by pursuing the course you
request. | am the son of Protestant
minister and a Protestant mother, who,
/ g., a. 6 oil,
devoted to one of the great Protestant
churches of the United States. Her re-
| ligious convictions were strong, and her
perceptions of duty clear. They made
an impression on me that will never
/ forget, and have natural sympathy
with that church that comes to me as
an Inheritance. | cannot be said, there
fore. to possess natural leaning to any
other. and would count myself as I'M
worthy of representing a great and
growing state like Nebraska if should
suffer mans religion to enter into my
mind in determining his right of citizen
to hold any position to which he might
be appointed by competent authority.
LET me suppose that one of the Cath
Ollie societies should request or instruct
me to vote against the confirmation of
Protestant appointees because of their
church affiliations DO you think
could discharge my duty by obeying
such instruction: And yet it would be
Just as proper for me to vote against a
Protestant appointee, or a member of
the American Protective association,
because of his religious belief, With
equal propriety a Mason could instruct
me to vote against an Odd Fellow, and
Odd Fellow against a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, or any
like organization. | think you VIII see,
without my entering into a lengthy dis
endless confusion and would bring into
politics questions having no proper
place there, and. if persisted in, would
result in dissensions and disorganiza-
weaken. if not threaten, the safety of
the government Itself.
"The American people ought to con-
graduate themselves on the foresight
and wisdom of Washington and his COM
patriots who laid the foundations of this
government so broadly and so deeply
that questions like this are taken out of
the domain of party politics. They were
possessed of a high order of statesman
ship and rare conception of public duty,
The liberties of the people of this coun-
try are broad and must be maintained
All, whether members of churches OF
not, who retain citizenship, must be per
mitted to enjoy, unmolested and un
questioned, the right guaranteed then
by the constitution. and no man who
permits himself to antagonize these
rights can have clear and accurate
: conception of public duty.
Permit me to say. in conclusion, thai
shall treat all citizens and all religion:
with profound respect. | will trea
all men having no church connection
with equal respect, for all in the eyes Of
the law stand alike, and so far as the
r civil government is concerned must bt
treated Justly by its public servants.
II Boston Herald.
70 ~ T. L., q; AL