Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1899-01-06
r,xED T PAY ron PRAYERS

Editors Ctuzen.
The coming legislature will very soon
be called upon to wrestle with the me
mentous question OF selecting a chaplain
TO guard the spiritual interests OF that
worthy body and TO chsperon their souls
through the dark valleys which lie on
the pathway Of those who bury self and
hasten to immediate themselves. as II
we're, upon the affairs dedicated to public
welfare by accepting public office
That the quest In securing the place
will be almost u scramble among Catho.
olics, Methodists. Presbyterians aud other
denominations. judging by the very spir'
tied riy Airy IN previous like occasions, IL.
OF course, but AN index OF the deal shown
TO rush TO the front whenever aud
wherever such grand opportunities for
lChristian work offer, and Is not prompt
ed by any mere worldly desire to secure
the miserable 81 per day allowed for
such an arduous and responsible posi-
ton.
IL the worthy divine chosen for the
place. whoever he may be, would Thereby
at once become the accepted spiritual
adviser Of the members. and IL the tax
payers of the territory would willingly
consent to the use Of public funds TO pay
him, then no question would arise from
certain irrevsrent ones who In Their
worldly blindness object either ~ legis-
lator 10 having him stand up before
them a. the exponent OF some religious
faith other than their own, or. IA tax
pay rs, to the use OF their money for the
support and encouragement OF any reli-
Vious idea whatever In seeming viola ion
Of that religious liberty 20 sacredly az
sured aud guaranteed to every citizen by
I The constitution Of the United States.
D That the saloon and gambling Interests
!, at the capital are whetting their sickle'
0 In anticipation OF IA coming harvest; tina
r the hackmen seek the night runs; ths
Q numerous fair but uDblushing souls viii
r wing their way thither with visions o
= champagne suppers cheering the horizon
q that several interests In the territory mr.
A.. gathering together cash assessments Il
< secure at the proper time the votes necea
I sary to attain their ends; all hese are bu
proofs Of the urgent necessity OF proyld
9 ing, II possible. Influences for good to OIL
set these aud other Influences for evil
but there are those who object, IA Catho
q lies, to having such responsibilities en-
z trusted to a Protestant preacher, an
y there are those who object, az Methods IL
to the selection OF a Catholic or OF
Presbyterian to combat the evil afOre
q said, and there are those who, ,as Presby
terians, object TO the encouragement
priesthood and OF MethOdism by placiD
either In charge, and there are those Wit
az free thinkers, even go 10 far az TO den
that the morning prayer offered by AN
priest or preacher OF any particular fat
IL calculated TO do any good whatey,
y. and 20 object TO such idle misuse OF pull
=, lie money.
:. We, as a nation. have always boaste
OF our freedom OF thought and freedom
action. aud particularly OF our freedol
~ TO praise and worship the particular &c
Ic. of u respective faiths; but. ss "A matt
o OF fHct, we have never been able TO so
arate entirely our administration
government mundane from g0vernmel
OF celestial, and have had at all times OF
IL Liberties In that line threatened and eyt
IT. encroached upon by over jealous fana
les who would fasten their ideas vi
m. lingIy or unwillingly upon you and Il
who deny the soundness OF their partic
Ise lar faiths, and who, even tho not ma
NJ ing such denials, still deny the rig
'as Of any one TO seek to couple even
Ip. the most remote degree the affairs
he church with those OF state.
he IL the Legislature has the power
" choose a priest or other divine TO lead
no the warfare against the black hosts
ny times Of Legislative session and to app
,us pirate public money 10 his support, "
m may IL not just as properly, in fact W
de ought II not, just as properly %approprlt
20. money to the use of such leader and
his co workers 10 lght continually /
evil influences in the politics OF n,
Mexico and to furnish ministers 10
tend primaries and general conyentiO
and even to stand at the polls and pI
for divine help and favor, and why N
not snd why should not the legislatI