The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-11
LOCAL ADvENT|STS
HEAR NATIONALLY
KNOWN SPEAKER
HORTON ADVISES AGAINS st
THOSE WHO WISH PRIVATE
SCHOOLS TO BE ABOLISHED
(By James Lafferty)

NOCluOIt oht NhN PSOPAN Va cry NNA''
munity privileged to hear more
capable speaker, deal with topics OF
interest to every clear-cut red
blooded citizen, than is S. B. Horton
who addressed an attentive au- ience
at the Adventist church in tn city
Saturday.
Mr.. Horton, through lifelong IN
terest in and close connection with
the civic and political life of this
country is nationally known and has
had opportunity to declare and de-
fend those basic principles underly-
ing our government. AT preset,
secretary of the Religious Liberty
Association in the central states, his
antics bring him into daily contact
with our neghbors, Mr. Average
Man and Equal Rights Woman.
So, no mere theories, or the cry
of a historical alarmist were voiced
when he said I'VE view with alarm
any measures looking 10 a union OF
church and state in degree or full
ness.
The speaker directed attention to
the "Father of Oar Country who.
said Happily the government Of
United States which gives to bigotry
no sanction, TO persecution no as
sistance, requires only that they who
live under its protection shall de
mean themselves as good citizens.
IL am for freedom of the press.
said Jefferso3, and knowing that
every man is ans. cradle to law and
the court of public opinion for any
abuse Of this right every right think
ing American says Amen. James
Madison maintained Religion is es-
sentially distinct from civil govern
ment and exempt from its cogni-
zance. A connection between them
is injurious to BOTH"
Attention was directed to Presi-
dent Hardingis inaugural address,
where n he declared his firm belief
in the inspiration of the founding
fathers and expressed the hope that
the American citizens would stand
for its perpetration.
Due to the fact that he with 9TH
er public spirited men, carried on
an aggressive campaign against the
proposed amendment TO our state
constitution. which proposed amend
ment--if it had not been defeated
by our votes, would today be part
of the fundamental law of our state
and as such would sound the death
knell of that first duty and inviolate
right of every parent, namely; that
in addition to such course of study
as is conducive to good citizenship.
and complete with every state re-
quirement, the parent has the right
to provide either in private or pa
rochial schools such religious and
vocational training as will best fit
the child for lifes' duties and cannot
properly be given in the public
schools. Mr.. Horton has been ac-
cused Of un-Americanism by a rad
ical minority, while to the vast ma
jority the act of the secretary of
the treasury in presenting to him a
medal in recognition of his efforts
in the various liberty loan campaigns
and for his successful work as one
of the Camp Custer pastors is strong
testimony to his love of liberty and
country.
Among the reasons which may be
given for the speakers sound COM
mon sense treatment of vital prob
lens is the fact that he is practi
cal newspaper man, having served
in every capacity from "dev;l' to
editor, and we, his hearers. could
do and you, my readers, can do no
less than agree with his sentiment
which may be expressed concretely
in the words of former President
Grant "Leave the matter of relig-
ious teaching to the family altar and
keep the church and state forever
separate.