The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-25
RELIGION AND POLITICS.
A Roman Catholic Argues Against Catholic
and All Denomlnationai Political Action.

and All Den nomination. Political Actisn.
To The EDITOR or THE SuS-Sir. Article
VI Of the Constitution OF the United States pro-
vides that mo religious test shall ever be re-
ouired as a qualification to any office or public
trust under the United s ates" This PROVISION
IL contained. In words Of similar import. In the
Constitution Of nearly every safe; and where
not exrre.sy provided general constitutional
provisions have been broadly inter refed by the
State and Federal courts to forbid a religious
test. II is the Fundamental law Of the land.
Let us consider whether organized. or even
sympathetic. political action Of co-rejgionists
as such, whether within existing parties. with
out alliance with either. by confederation Of
societies, by such action uron ind vtdual CO.
relisionists as practically make a collective
body. or in other dir'ct or indirect ways
ofYnnds this fundamental law.
The motive Greeting or aim intended by such
organized action seems Irrelevant to the aues-
ton. The declaration OF principles Of the or
ganizing committee Of the new confederation Of
Catholic societies provides that mo political
party OF any description Whatsoever shall be
formed out OF the Catholic Union: nor shall the
union affiliate with any political party" Thus
OF the many forms OF political action two are
prohibited. But public addresses made by
li"ie VI w ~ ~ e"e ~ i''Ne WI
respondents are urging larger representation
in the State and National Legislatures" "ade-
Quate recognition" 40.
Bishop Mel aul Of Trento n Is the best-known
advocate OF concerted action by Catholic so
Ciaties In hs article in the North American
Rer,eS f2r ertcmbrr he rep.lr the suggestion
necs ssary. OF course. 10 Rave orsani zetion. al
so ieties composed Of Ca'hclcs should en-
each retains lis Identity ard rnrsues lis own
aims there may be a bond Of unto enabling
thcm TO exert a concerted T. fuence; but the
plsIea" a. 81 the PI earned + s. .hSp e co mo, GGp't d.
m'nds 2 larger representation OF Catholics in
sSs LT rss.onasSy O. Gear .ne fha asn mi. n "c sDnI re-. S0 W.
f%uence" is the organization OF pol teal action
alo, g denomination al lines.
There Is certain v 10 ba no Catholic partv, but
II is just "a necessa-v that there be no nom
Catholic rartv or Tol iical action IN anv form
on lin"s ct Ie,iSlom. creed tn, point seems 70
c institutional dogma ~ religious equa Nv or
negation 10 organize %donominat onnl r%olitical
'ional provisions noted. The decisions i%ntcrrre-
ting thom. BROADENING rather than limiting. with
t1e constitutional severance Of Churc' and
faith ,rs 70 ED forever IN, strife Of religious
tanctr thu, armst th1 Chrl ,inn "S1ins, hi.
forever ;,nded. but that any approach to an
nlllanCa ne Wee' ' nurCn ana N'n'e or nNklNQ
Before the CONSTITUTION the old notion ih1t mon
q a.o'her, faith were ot necessitv enemies. TO
. e"SS %seI rfs ', IN 'se day. y! e. n G '%ye'islC q,
but nd ,on only ago 'p Iosi Il, vai n, f s5T'', TsrmI.
nent good The New. EnNl'rdcrs held firmly
e II, however, g eri.hins Their Puritanism ns
and Quaker alike fell nrder the severe han of
Conererationslisn. Roger Williams. banishnd
10y oo,, m, ny TN tnH Ss r,ass 'o Of ysl,si T OF Mr,~s non sns
.,rkiTa. .nroof tta. he was far a cad othis
calvert WHO hns the imperi able glory of first
proclaiminr In the American Co,on,es that. by
law, r~Nlirious freedom mirht be had in ~ least
cSnturv was opposed :" Cromwell With the
and american Thought believed it worthy ~
man-kiuinr and whom Catholics strongly 1om-
mated INLAND colby The mixing Of r%clltlcs
nnd was almost u"ivarsnl. Then. liter, the
fathers took !, m cut y out from 10 body
meant 70 banish tho error from orr land
4 religious test being forbi 'aen nv law. all
escc",ivc hois'atlv" aot judital action con.
cohesion Of denomina'iors' political effort con-
t-ary IN the spirit ~ he law' And n Il il con-
%.t,rasirt. o. wat ..iliirh"t inrcrtance 'Si'Ip s.. he he
rrrsslv forbidden. Political a. tion is Of course
40 foe a. the air. bu' nj tines Il NAV he
suicidal. Tat a II ize- holy NAV do ,ha,
which is forbidden 10 the Government is a IA a.
;H,s,, p :"ri s.cs; o1ly Cor wsrn f1 rsi,r ge"gls are
In pol tics does not offend the litter Of q q inw'
there is s,ill no commendation o. even jis'incs,
ton: and the abser = 81 pro'iNi''on does not
asse : the right or Justice ~ he plan. Surel"
the rtiy"n. @houid.. refrain from that forbidden
70 the judge, NAHUM N. 90 IL certainly more
hoinous than NAHUM proh,bitum.
Extreme freedom and licensa for political
action Is IRE e'ved 10 Tie In he belief thnt il is
sef-Correctiva A diver 'enoe from tho con-
s'itutionnl spirit frds its remedy in free dis-
Gus ion. in the un'ol ling ~ N" right o. wrong
~ tte. mater And IN any American discus
slon, OF the topic in gu sti6n thcr" would soem
10 be hut one corclus'on. and that is that
Organized alton ftr = ~olitic,l eject on de-
fundamental law. T. 60 further In the af,rma-
seems. In view OF the genius OF orr insutu-
uons, like q d'fenc. Of political virtue itself.
whether action under the several STATE Sleouoo