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

The Monitor, aCatholIc paper published
Ia san Francisco, a short time ago took
up. editorially. the foolish but hack
neyed cry against the union OF Church
and State, which alternates between
the Mormon Church and the Catho-
lie Church. as the agitators see At to
make The change. The Monitor said:
This coalescence. as far as the Catho-
lie religion Is concerned, can never be-
come dangerous 10 the separation OF
civil and spiritual authority. While
both have a common origln-in God.
and while the ends and aims Of them
are 10 q large extent identlcal-the good
OF the people, yet they can pursue their
different ways, and though they must
necessarily touch at points they can
always remain separate. The trouble Is
40 much has been said and written by
demagOgic secularlsts about the alleged
colossal lnfamy OF union OF Church and
State, that those who do not approach
TO even faint knowledge OF the matter
get affected as II by the fear Of ghosts.
The idea that in the United States
with q Constitution that forbids the en-
actmenl OF laws for the establishment
or suppression Of any religious system
there can be any danger OF the union
which some excited people seem so
much afraid OF, Is one Of the absurditles
that make US doubtful OF
the sanity Of the agitators that
cause the uproar, and Of their
followers who Join in the turmoil
We do not perceive any indications
among Catholics for the domination Of
their Church in State affairs, and we
know there is no such movement or
disposition in the Mormon" Church.
Just now II Is the latter that is held
up as bugaboo to terrorize the timid.
But Il Is a striking fact that the min
listers Of different denominations who
are engaged In the work Of deceiylng
the public about this Church and its
purposes, are active themselves in a
concerted and vigorous endeavor TO
control the Congress Of the United
States, or dictate to that body its
course Of procedure In an important
political matter
They are banded together. dropping
for the time their sectarian disputes
and theological quarels, to bring a
pressure upon the national legislature,
10 cause that body TO violate all pre-.
oedents, to trample alike on the rules
OF the House OF Representatives. the
claims Of Justice, and the right OF ac-
cused persons 20 be heard before being
condemned, and shut out from the seat
to which he has been legally elected, a
member OF that body solely because
they desire his exouslonl
Is this Church domination in the af-
fairs Of State? II not what Is It?
The preachers Of the different sects
have worked upon the sentiments Of
the Congressman from their districts,
they have enlisted the services OF Con-
gressmen's wives, they have hired lead
ing lawyers and astute parliamentari-
ans, and the grand object is to induce
Congress to act on their say.so and
deny the man against whom their pious
wrath is kindled. chance TO state his
side Of the question which they have
raised.
That Is the chlvalrous, high.minded
and emlnently fair purpose Of the
christian" ladies and gentlemen Of the
anti-"Momon" crusade! That Is what
Is aimed at by the paper in this city
that voices the wishes Of the preachers,
and which has thrown so much dust in
the public eyes on this question, A
Washington dispatch TO the New York
World says;
1T Is 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 Is called. II the Speaker
follows the usual course he viii swear
IN Mr.. Roberts and let his case be
passed upon by the House later"
Certainly. Anything 20 close the
members mouth. Shut him OUT Don't
allow him to defend himself OF his right
to be heard In the Housed Never mind
rules, presidents. common justice or
parliamentary deoency The sectarlan
clergy who are afraid Of o Mormon"
unlon OF Church and state. demand the
members exclusion without q hearing.
ana they threaten Congressman with
what viii happen II they refuse to be
dictated 10y rclirious sentiment
The Boston Transcript reviewing the
case says;
"Mormonlsm rather than Roberts will
really be on trial.
OF course, But what Will that amount
TOP VIII It not be an attempt 10 ex.
ercise the functions OF the Congress 10
&C, on matter Of rellgione And viii
II not also be a case Of the dictation OF
the legislative power by religious lnau-
ence2 However, We can scarcely De.
lieve that such manifestly unfair aud
improper methods as those urged BY
the religious ministers and associations.
win be adopted by the law-maklng
body o. the nation.
The power TO expel IS another thing
entirely. That Involves an investga-
ton and the presentation Of both sides
OF the question. But II the purpose o.
the preachers Is accomplished, Il viii
be the most signal instance Of the DOM
ination u religion In politics that has
been seen in the history Of this Repub-
lie and * viii be the precursor Of
troubles greater than have yet been an
uclpated' Let the Churches attend to
their own concerns When they med
a'e win The affairs Of state they Will
muaaie them as sure as fate.