The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-11-21

| Ought their religions TO be endowed, above
| all others, with extraordinary privileges, by
| which prosclytes may be enticed iron, all 9TH
| ers |! We think too iavourabiy of tie Justice
| and good sense of these denominations. TO
believe, that they either covet pre-eminances
over their fellow citizens, or that they will
| be seduced by them from the common oppo-
| sition TO the measure.
Because the bill implies, either that the
civil magistrate is competent Judge Of re-
| ligious truths, or that ,be may employ reiig-
ion as an engine of civil policy. The first is
an arrogant pretension, faIsi6ed by the ex-
traordinary opinion OF rulers, in all ages, and
| throughout the world !; the second, an unhal-
lowed perversion OF the means Of salvation.
Because the establishment proposed by the
bill is not requisite for the support Of the
christian religion. To say that il is, is con
tradiction to the christian religion itself for
every page OF il disavows dependence of
the power OF this world it is a contradic-
tion 10 fact, for il is known that this religion
both existed and hourished, not only without
the support Of human laws, but in spite Of
every opposition from them and not only DUR
ing the period of miraculous aid, but long al
ter 1t had been left 10 It's own evidence and
the ordinary care of Providence nay, it is "a
contradiction in terms for religion not in
vented by human policy must have pre-exis
ted and been supported, before il was estab-
lished by human policy 1t Is moreover to
weaken In those who p, ofess this religion a
pious confidence in It's innate excellence and
the patronage of It's author and to foster, in
those who still re ject it, "a suspicion tina, ITS
fri ends arc too conscious Of its fallacies to
trust II TO its own merits.
Because experience Witnesses, that eccle-
siastica establishments, instead Of malntain-
ing the purity and ehiclcy of religion, have
had contrary operation. During almost
fifteen centuries has the legal establishment
OF christianity been on tria.--What have
been Its fruits, more OF less IN all places
pride and indoience in the clergy ignorance
aud servllity in the iaiiy in both, supersti-
ton, bigotry, and persecution. Enquire OF
the teachers of christianity for the ages in
which it appeared in its greatest lustre !
those of every sect point to the ages prior to
its incorporation with civil policy. Propose
a restoration OF this primitive state, i'm which
its teachers depend ON the voluntary rewards
of their Aocks, many of them predict its
downfall. On which side ought their testi-
mony to have greatest weight, when for Gr
when against their interest
Because the establishment in question /,
not necessary tor the support of civil gov
crnmenl.--lt it be urged as necessary Tor
the support OF civil government, only as il
is a means Of supporting religion, and it be
not necessary tor the latter purpose, it Cannot
be necessary for the former. Ii religion be
not within the cognizahce Of civil govern
ment, how can its legal establishment be said
to be necessary TO civil government What
influence in tact have ecclesiastical establish
ments had ON civil society In some ins,an-
ces they have been seen to erect a spiritual
tyranny OH the ruins of the civil authority !:
In more instances have they been seen NY
holding the thrones OF political tyranny III
no instance have they been seen the guardi-
ans oi the liberties Of the people. Rulers,
who wish 10 subveft the publick liberty, may
have found an established clergy convenient
Auxilaries. A JUS, government, Instituted
10 secure and ps rpetuate it, needs item not.
Such government Will be best supported
by protecting every oilizen in the enjoyment
OF his religion, with the same equal hand
which protects his person and his property
by neither invading the equal rights of any
sect, nor suffering any sect to invade those of
another.
Because the proposed establishment is a
departure from that generous policy, which, ]
offering an asylum to the prosecuted and OPP |
pressed Of every nation and religion, proni-
sed lustre to our country, and AN accession
to the number of its citizens. What "a me-
lanchoy mark is the bill of sudden degener-
acy Instead Of holding forth an asylum to I
the prosecuted, it is itself a signal of perse-
cution. 1t degrades from the equal rank of
citizens all those whose opinions in religion
do not bend to those of the Legislative auth.
ority. Distant as it may be, in its present
form, from the inquisition, it differs from il
only in degree the one is the first step, the
other the last in the career Of intolerance.
The magnanimous sufferer under the cruel
scourge in foreign regions, must view the