THE National Reform theory of government is that of government by consent of the “orthodox” clergy; an oligarchy is a government by consent of the “nobility;” a plutocracy is a government by consent of the rich; an imperial government is a government by consent of an emperor and his favorites or by some party holding supreme power; and all of these various forms of despotism rest on the same principle—that of government by consent of some of the governed. On that principle it is impossible to erect anything else than a despotism.
THE apologists for the war of subjugation in the Philippines have much to say in disparagement of Aguinaldo and his followers, but they never say anything about the principles by which the campaign is justified or condemned. The attempt to justify the campaign by alleging that the Filipinos are treacherous, mercenary and generally an incapable and worthless lot,—as if all this, even if true, could make any difference in the matter of their natural rights. The most worthless specimens of the white race in America—men as base and degenerate as any to be found in the Philippines—are accorded all the rights of American citizens, and no imperialist would dare attempt to put in practise here the doctrine he preaches with reference to the people of Luzon. Despotism bases its claims upon differences—real or alleged—between men; but just government is based not on human differences, but on human-rights. Despotisms are based on men, but just government rests on principles.
THE aggressiveness and success of Mormonism in this country is regarded, and rightly, as a national menace. But why? Not because of its peculiar religious doctrines, but because it is a political power. It dominates State affairs in Utah and has a strong hold upon the surrounding States, and may soon hold the balance of power in congress. The Mormon Church is in politics, and this is the menace of Mormonism to the nation; but the other churches in the land are estopped from making any protest, for they are doing the same thing. They all believe that Christians should go into politics and make politics pure by the application of Christianity to it. The Christian should vote “as Jesus would have him vote,” etc. This is what they say for themselves, and why cannot Mormons say the same for themselves? They can; Mormonism as a national menace can never be consistently or successfully combated by the churches, since the principal—the genuine Christian principle—that religion and the state should not be mixed.