Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-01
THE CHURCH AND Politics.

Tho Monitor. Catholic paper published
ia san francisco. n short time ago took
up. oditonally. the foolish but hack
ncyrd cry against the union Of church
and state. which oitcfnatoa between
the "Muinon" Church and the Caiho-
lie Church. as the agltators sce ne to
make the change. The Monitor aaidi
This coaicsconcc. as Tar as the caiho-
lie religion IL concerned, can MAYER De.
come dangerous 20 the So cation OF
civil and spiritual authority. While
both have a common origin-in uod,
ami while the ends and aims ~ thcm
arc to large extent idcnticnl-thc good
Of the people. yet they can pursue thcit
different ways, and though they must
necessarily touch ut poinis, they can
always remain separate. The trouble ~
10 much has boon said and written by
dcmagoglc rccuiaflsts about the alleged
colossal lnfamy ~ union of church ana
State. that those who do not approach
10 even faint knowledge OF the matter
&c, affected M u by the fear OF ghosts
The idea that In the United states,
with Constitution that forbids the en-
aetment OF laws for the establishment
or suppression Of any religious system.
there can be any danger of the union
which some excited people seem 30
much afrnid Of, ~ on. Of the nhsnrditics
that make ~ doubtful ~
tho sanity Of the agitatora that
cause the uproar. and 81 their
followers who Join In the turmoil.
We do no, perceive any indications
among Catholics for the domination of
their Church In State affairs. and we
know there IL no such movement or
disposition In the Mormon" Church.
Just now II IN thu latter TINT II held
w as bugaboo to terrorlEc the tlmid.
But Il N striking fact that the min
listers OF different denominations who
are engaged Ia the work Of decciving
the public about this Church and It's
purposes. are active themselves In "A
concerted and vigorous cndeavor TO
control the Congress NJ the United
States. or dictate 10 that body Its
course OF procedure In an important
political matter,
They ARE banded together. dropping
for the time their Ecciarian disputes
and theological quarrcla, To bring u
pressure upon the national legislature.
TO cause that body To violate all pre-
oedents. to tramplc alike on the rules
Of the House OF Representatives. the
claims OF Justice and the right u ne
oused persons TO he heard before being
condemned. and shut out from the seat
10 which he has been legally elected. a
member OF that body. solely because
they desire his cxcluuioni
IL this Church domination In the nf-
fairs OF Slater II not. what II IT,
The preachers OF the different socts
have worked upon the sentiments Of
the conEroHsmcn from their districts
they have enlisted the services OF Com
gressmen's wives, they have hired lead
ing lawyers and astutc pnrilamcntari-
ans. and tho grand object Ii 20 induce
Congress to net on their say-ao. and
deny the man against whom their pious
wrath IL hndlod. "a chance 10 state his
side OF the question which they hnvo
raised.
That Is the chlvalrous. hlgh-mlnded
and emlnontly fair purpose OF the
"christian" ladies' and gentlemen Of the
antl-"Mormon" crusade, That Is what
Is aimed ut by the paper In this city
that voices the wishes OF the preachers.
and which has thrown 80 much dust In
the public eyes ON this question. A
Washington dispatch to the New Yorl,
World says:
1T IL said tonight that some of the
Republicans who oppose his being seat
ed have suggested that the Speaker re-
fuse to administer the oath to him
when his name IN called. " the speaker
follows tho usual course ~ VIII swear
In Mr.. Roberts ana let hls ease be
passed upon by the House later"
Certainly. Anything to close the
members mouth. shut him out Don,
allow him 10 defend himself or his right
to be heard IN the Housed Never mind
rules. prccefents, common justice OF
parliamentary decency. The aectarlan
clergy who are afraid Of a Mormon"
union of Church and state. demand tho
membcr's exclusion without "a hearing
and they threaten Congressman with
what viii happen n thcy refuse to be
dictated by RELIGIOUS sentiment.
The Boston Transcript reviewing tht
case says;
"Mormoniam rather than Roberts vii
really be ON trial"
OF course. But what Will that amount
to7 WIN Il not be an attempt 10 cY'
erclse tho functions OF the Congress I,
act on matter of rcllgion9 Ana WILL
II not also be a case Of the dlctatlon Of
the legislative power By religious unu'
onee2 However, We can scarcely De,
lieye that such manfe=uy unfair and
improper methods as those urged By
the religious ministers and associations
viii be adopted by the law-multnf
body of the nation,
The power 20 cNpel Is another thing
entirely. That Involves an lnvcstiga
tlon and the presentation u both sldc
OF the question. Hut II the purpose o
the preachers IS accomplished. II VII
be the most signal Instance OF the dom
inh,lon ~ religion IN politics that ha
been seen In the history OF this Repub
lie. And It viii be tho precursor o
troubles greater than hive yet beyn an
ticlpated' Lot tho Churches attend 4
fhelr own concerns when they med
die with the affairs Of state they Wi
mudaie them as sure as fate,