Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-24
address ofthe Bahtiss General Meeting Of
CORRESPONDENCE Of Hirgi,ia, TO me Pre-
sident VI the United Sfa,es.
OCTOBER 25th, 1908.

Correspondence Of Yirgi,iia, 10 the Pre-.
sident IF the United Sfa,es.
OCTOBER 25th, 1908.
SIR,
ACTUATED from pure motives, as
we believe you are, about to retire from pub
lie life, fine applause of his constitu. ats, in
! their different relations, must be pleasing
reward to retiring statesman. We, as u
| religious society, offer you, sir, our applause.
We do it cordially. You may receive ap-
probation from sources that are more con-.
spicuous; but from none, we believe, that
| are more sincere. Attached to a church
government of the freest kind we must be
| friends to him, who is friend to the rights
OF conscience. Many say they are friends
to these rights; we believe them, because
they say it. But from you we have better
proofs The whole tenor of your public
life exhibits undeniable evidence of your un-
wavering friendship to religious liberty.
Your enemies admit it, and some of them,
we fear, are. enemies for that very reason.
The heterogeneous union of church and
state, was never congenal to our principles.
But when we remember, that, from that
source, the persecution and imprisonment
OF many OF our ministers arose; we must
declare that this union is as repsgnant to
our feelings as to our principles. Your ex /.
ertions very much contributed to its final dis
solution. Since you have assembled the pre-.
sidential chair, we know of no measures of
yours, which do not completely quadrate
with your former line of department. Ot
the whole, then, of your pubic life, we de-
sire to express our appreciation. Your enc
mics Charge you with holding untriendly
sentiments to the Christian religion. We
do not believe it. Your conduct, in ouI
Judgment, has evinced the contrary. Aud
actions, than by declarations. Situated as
you have been for considerable time, any
declarations upon that head would have been
ascrlbed TO popular views. So ami able does
the Christian system appear To US, that we
can scarcely imagine, how any man who is
Willing to RESTRAIN his unlawful appetites,
| can be unfriendly toits doctrines.
Ot our political state, though no. imme-
tiateiy within our province as a religious
| body, we wish as citizens, to express our
sentiments We are persuaded, that No.
shing on yourpart has been wanting, either
as 1t respects wisdom, integrity or exert,on,
TO have placed Us in the most eligible con
dItion. IT'S true we suffer evils, bur we
bear them cheeriuily, hoping that they may
hnally operate, as remedies, TO other aid
! worse evils. five are disappointed IN tins,
we are ready to support the government OF
our choice, in stronger and more efficient
measures. Some nations, like SONS inilvi
duals, do justice only when coerced to .t.
Trusting in God OF Justice, we do not fear
the issue. We once Struggled for GU rights,
| and we gained them.
we are almost to a man, favora de 10
that successor who is most likely to pre-.
serve the spirit o. the present aamnistrati-
on. We hope he may fall on more propiti-
Gus tines than his predecessor, or tina he
may he equally capable to avoid their evils.
In yonr retirement from the bustles OF puo-
| lie lite, we devoutly wish you every Bless
! ing the smiles OF Heaven, the aDprob alton
ota vlrtuous mind, the affection of CRATE
tui people and that after many years OF
health and happiness, your grey hairs may
go down In peace TO the grave-
Signed by order of the Baptist General
Meeting of Correspondence of Virginia, in
which Six Associations were Represented by
their delegates.
RIO Is SEMPLE, Moderator.
HIS Ercelicncy Thomas JEFFERSON,
President off the u. States.
N B. The above address was sent on
immediately after its date. The President s
| reply was also, without delay committed -
the mail, but thro'- in4ttention in the post
office, II did not come to hand until the Och
| inst Fhs explains the reason why they
have nos been publish d sooner.
| RO: Is. SEMPLE.
King e Queen, January 18Th, 1909.