The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-09-14
WHAT'S IN A NAME :?

EDITOR STAR:-Your editorial note
in the Star" of Sept. 3rd, referring
to the Unitarianism of Mr.. Taft, touch
'es a matter which cannot fail to be of
great interest to the best class of Ame-
rican voters. And whatever else may
have the effect of making the mass
of our citizens better acquainted with
the early history of our country, and
the part Unitarians as such, have play
ed in making it worthy of our love and
loyalty. While religious prejudices
should not enter into our consideration,
or in any way affect our attitude to-
wards a candidate of sound character
and political principles, it is quite inn
portant that we should know what are
and what have been the specific spiri-
tual forces which have made either
Mr.. Taft or Mr. Bryan what he is. For,
say what we WILL mans sincere be-
liefs; his faith or unfaith, are to his
development outwards what the vital
principle is to the seed.
So we are very safe in judging OF
a religion by the. class of men it at
tracts, influences and induces; by the
quality (not quantity of characters it
furnishes to the Church and State.
l do not think. as a contemporary
has stated with evident fairness, that
Evangelical Christians would stand
with a Mormon instead of with a Uni
tartan"
A few narrow persons with intense
prejudices might do so, but a little
pause will show to most minds that
beliefs which have given us such men
as the Adamses, Jefferson and Lincoln,
could not unfit Mr.. Taft for any high
office we may wish to give him.
1t is distinctly different with the
Mormon doctrine, which in its logical
existence is a menace to the State and
to all Society. 1 do not mean by this
that Mormons may not be good men
and live without their creed, but only
that the Mormon Church, as religious
and political body, endeavors to curb
a mans liberty of belieT and express
sion.
And while l acknowledge that the
prejudice against Catholic president
is a prejudice, and therefore amenable
to judicial investigation, it has had its
beginning in the real fear and to some
extent well-grounded belief, that the
Roman Catholic Church exercises an
undue influence upon it's adherents, and
is not broad enough in its promulga-
lions regarding education.
While there are many men who are
Catholics who would be safe presid-
ents; who are and have been men OF
noble principles and tolerant charities
yet there is the instinct inherited from
our ancestors who have suffered in the
past and who have struggled through
blood to a free position, that so pow
erful a body as the Roman Catholic
Church might be ruled by less bene
ficent Pope, and might have an undue
hold upon the adherence of any anC
every Catholic.
Personally l do not have this fear
but it is there, and must wear out
if it is ever to be dispelled
But the great mass of intelligent
men who nominated Mr. Taft, knew
very we'll that his religion was safC
and sane, and not only safe and sane
but sound, and they knew, the mos
of them did, that Mr.. Taft thinks NOR,
of his religious principles than h,
does of holding Office.
They knew, too, that some of tn
best Presidents, Chief-Justices, Sen
ators and Representatives of our coun
try have been professed Unitarians
and that the country did not go t,
pieces because they were in authority
The names listed in this paper ar
not given in a boastful spirit, or wit
the idea that such names will influenc
any reasonable person to accept un
studied Unitarianism; they are state
simply in self-defense; to show tina
Mr.. Taft is not the first Unitarian
statesman we have trusted with hig
Office, but that he is only one of
list which for honor, ability, purity O
character and honesty of purpose, can
not be duplicated.
AS already shown by a copy of hi
own writing, Jefferson was an enthu
siastic Unitarian.
So were John Adams, John Quinc
Adams, not only communicates, bu
writer's in defense of their religion.
Willard Fillmore also; Vice Presid
ent Hannibal Hamlin. Alex. H. Ever
EFT, Edw Everett, Fisher Ames, H. {
Otis, Chas. Sumner c. r. Adams, Jc
siah Quincy, Geo. F. Hoar, Jno. {
Calhoun, G. w. Curtis, John P. Hal,
w. B. Allison, w. E. Chandler, &c,
Boutwell,, Carl Schurz and many othc
prominent statesmen and politicians.
In the judicial department where or
would expect keen analysis, we hav
almost the entire list from the ea"le'
history, as professed Unitariaus, anon
them: