The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-12
PIETY AND THE LAW.
Church People Sometimes Forget the
Purposes of Government.

The equanimity of good many very
worthy persons seems to be impaired by
the prospect that Mr.. Roberts, of Utah,
gress to which his constituents have chosen
him. Our brethren, and sisters, too, of the
various religious folds are greatly exercised
about him, and as often once week
some convention or association of Baptists
or Methodists, or Christians of some other
variety, resolves that he ought not TO be
admitted to Congress. Our popular and pub
lic-spirited fellow-townswoman. Miss Helen
Gould, has been interested in the case and
has added her name to the list OF those
who want Mr.. Roberts thrown out.
Life does not know a great deal about
Mormonism. especially the contemporary
Of and so dskss II as boss
religion Astounding in vulgar frauds and
demoralizing tendencies. But even Nor
mon ought to have fair treatment and II
there Is nothing worse against Mr.. Roberts
than that he still provides for all the wives
he had when polySamy was the fashion In
which is to his discredit or would disqualify
him from serving in Congress. 1t Is hard
to get at the truth about him and what
he represents, but there is reinsurance in
the belief that consideration of fact and
law will determine his standing in Congress
and that the pressure of religious bodies TO
secure his rejection Will nave little nnuence
and no effect.
Regard for law and common sense is not
the strong point Of our brethren or the
various churches when they discuss In their
conventions matters that relate to govern
ment For example, most OF them are
ciamoring now for the abolition OF the
army canteen, which 81 per cent. of the OF
ficers of the army declare to be the best
means yet found for promoting temperance
and good discipline among soldiers The SIN
cere God-fearing church-going element in
our country is of priceless value. To lose
il would be a disaster which 10 thoughtful
person will underestimate. And yet these
same folks whose worth We know so Wei,
are apt when they get together and look
at things from their point OF view, TO give
preposterously bad political advice TO their
government. The old Mormon government
in Utah was government by church. II
was a tyranny The present government
of the Transyaal comes APPARENTLY about as
near being a government OF church mem
bers as any now earth, but its heartest
sympathiZers will hardly deny that II Is
narrow. intolerant and unprogressive. Our
the best people we have: much nearer right
in their beliefs and aspirations than the
Mormons far more progressive and toler-
ant than the Beers. Yet they seem not fully
10 realize that the chief end or government
is not so much TO make people do right as
TO promote the reasonable liberty OF the IN
diyidual, and we have reason 10 rear tnat
IL the government hearkened 10 all their
recommendation and took all their ADVICE
this world would be a much less comfort
able land TO dwell in than II Is. The Al
miphty seems to have larger plans for
Earth and the folks who dwell on IL than
those who are most confident that they are
peculiarly and exclusively His servants
seem able to measure or even 10 compre-
bend.