The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-23
Editorial Comment
A Great Reply
Minneapolis JournaD

minneapolis JOurnal(
1t is great reply that Governor Alfred Smith
makes to the Marshall heterogeneous in its
frankness, its simplicity, its courage, its logic.
1t is reply, to- that makes it possible for Gov.
ernor Smith to run for the presidency as an Amer-
can citizen. regardless of his religious creed
Of the varying creeds Of those whose suffrages he
may seek.
For when Governor Smith says. II recognize nc
power in the institution Of my church to interfere
with the operations of the constitution of the
United States the enforcement of the law Of
the land" it is impossible not to believe in his
utter sincerity.
Abating nothing Of his loyalty and devotion to
the faith in which he has been reared and in which
he is steadfast, he evinces equal loyalty and devo-
ton to his country and its institutions. The sep.
aration of church and state, together with abso-
Lutte religious freedom and equality is founda-
ton principle Of the republic. No man of con-
science could take the oath Of office fourteen
times, as has the New York governor without
whole-hearted adherence to that principle and its
practice.
But Mr.. Marshall raised the question whether
in the event of conflict between religious principle
| and political duty, Governor Smith or any other
American Catholic holding office would not be
bound by the dctum of his church as higher au-
| thcrity than the state.
/
| says:
believe that no tribunal of any church has
any power to make any decree of any force in
the law of the land other than to establish the
status OF its own communicates
Whatever controversialists may say as to the
history OF the Roman Catholic church in othe,
times or in other places, this, we must believe is
the true attitude Of American Catholicism So saws
Governor Smith, of its most distinguished Law.
men. So. we must believe would say the grea,
bulk OF the other twenty million American Cath
olics. were such issue to arise.
But it need not arise. 1t is most unlikely &c
arise Governor Smith discusses the point in these
terms:
! In the widest dreams of your imagination,
you cannot conjure up a possible conflict be-
tween religious principle and political duty in
the United States. except the unthinkable
hypothesis that some law were to be passed
which violated the common morality of all
God-fearing men. And if you conjure up such
conflict, how would Protestant resolve it?
Obviously, by the dictates Of his conscience
That is exactly what Catholic would do.
Quite aside from his own candidacy for the pres
idency-and consideration of that not to hav.
entered into this fortnight reply-Governor Smiti
has done not alone his co-religonists, but his coun
try signal service by meeting the issue in so man
full and candid manner He has settled for. goo,
and ALL We like to believe, the question whether {
mans religious faith has aught to do with hi:
eligibility and suitability to hold high office at tn,
gift of the American people.
Certainly, no enc now question the ability
and purpose Of Governor Smith in public life t,
render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar
and to God the things that are Gods. Does no
this sage counsel Of Christ state the whole ques
tion-loyalty as citizen to country and loyalty a.
a believer to church?
Protestant, Catholic, Jew and unbeever alike
Americans ALL must hail this as q great utterance
destined to speed the complete removal of religious
issues from American political affairs.