Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-11
THE STRUGGLE IN FRANCE.

bill for the separation of church
anf~tate in France has been passed by
IN senate, ana viii IN due time. he.
cfme effective Much interest in the
long debate ceutered around the dis
cussion OF the financial status OF the
clergymen now In office. NJ Mesieres
appealed 20 his colleagues aaklng them
TO provide peaslon for these clergy
men, but this was In vain. The ma
jority were not in favor of any conces-
sions
Some prominent Catholics have
maintained that the struggle in France
is not against "clericalism." as alleged.
but against the church itself. by poll
tiolans who hope. to see atheism en-
throned IN the government. OF the
state. They draw their inspiration, II
Is pointed out from the revolutionary
leaders who closed churches. forbade
all outward signs of religion. decreed
death to priests and Instituted fend-
ish massacres.
In this country. the principle of the
separation OF church and state is so
well established as right and profitable
to both institutions, that any effort to
mix the two would be generally resent
ed, as soon as detected. We are there
fore apt to regard the separation act
as Il step forward and we can only
hope that some similar measure will
before long, be passed In Great Britain
where the dissenters for many years
have complained against unjust dis
examination In favor of the state
church, other countries would also be-
better off We're the state and church
not interwoyen with each other
But the critics Of the French act do
not admit that the effect Of It will be
separation" Of the church and state,
with the former enjoying the liberty
accorded to churches in this country.
for instance. The meaning OF the bin.
they say is simply reputation by the
French government OF les pecmlary OBJ
legations to.the church and the combs
cation Of church property. [The-ehurch.
they fear win be treated as danger
Gus society. TO be under the constant
surveillance 90 the police; the purpose
is to impoyerish, and munaclc the
church, and reduce It TO such state
OF slavery that It may not prove a
serious obstacle to the de-Chrlsuanlza-
ton of the nation. Under the new con-
ditions, the Catholics win We are told.
have less liberty In France than they
have In Russia, or Turkey. The church
will not Doe allowed to practise works
of benehceuce educate the Young,
tend the sick. or open asyluus for the
afflicted, The societies being allowed
To exist for the sole purpose Of re-
lgious worship the careful scrutiny
OF their accounts by the civil autl'ori-
ties viii detect amy outlay for what
these viii decide are objects not legiti-
mately belonging TO the purpose fot
which they exist Every utterance OF
priest against the vices OF the age
every warning 10 his flock to avoid the
company Of the wicked may be- con-
strued by the poice-omcvr present as
an incitement % one body Of citizens
against pnother. and be made a pre-.
text for closing the chucrh and dissoly.
ing the local society.
Such are the effects Of the separation
act as viewed by some OF its critics
We hope these mas prove to be mis-
taken aud that perfect religious nber
ty may be established Instead. W.
hope this boon may be extended TO nv
members Of all religions our time {
peculiar for the tmpaticucc 1t mani
tests against all restraint. and particu
larry the restraint of religion. Bu