CHURCH AND STATE IN THE PROHIBITION PARTY.
In the platform of the Prohibition party of the state of New York, adopted at Saratoga Springs, September 3 and 4, we find the following:— “2. We accept as the expression of our political ideal the unanimous declaration of the Supreme Court that this is a Christian nation, and we call upon the people of the state to repudiate and consign to oblivion any political party that shall propose to submit a commandment of the Decalogue to the local option of corrupt cities. “3. A Christian citizen’s ballot is his testimony and witness of his political righteousness, and should be and continue a slandering protest against all measures and candidates that are not in full accord and in perfect harmony with the highest official utterances of his church in regard to the liquor traffic. “4. We are unqualifiedly opposed to all religious test of citizenship and to all appropriation of public funds to sectarian institutions. “5. All men should be protected by law in their right of one day’s rest in seven.” Notwithstanding the disclaimer in the fourth plank the others forcibly show that whoever did not come up to their idea of Christian citizenship would if possible be consigned to oblivion. Of the congregation 3,000 are said to have taken the following “vow,” proposed by John G. Woolley:— “Believing that my ballot is my testimony, and that as a Christian citizen I should make it witness for political righteousness, I record my vow that I will never hereafter vote for any candidate, for any office, who does not stand upon a platform in full and positive harmony with the highest official utterances of my church in regard to the liquor traffic.” It surely looks as though the fanaticism of the “roundheads,” as well as the gross looseness and wickedness of the cavaliers, was upon us. Religion is the thing in the air, and every time server will be a professor. Anything to buy votes or drive voters. We have no wish to discuss the principles of the various parties; but God is not in all this cant about religion.