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


does not wheIly eradicate il, sufficiently des-
trs Us It's malignant influence on the health
and prosperity of the state. If with the sal
ulary effects Of this system under our own
eyes, We begin to contract the bounds of re-
fil ious freedom, we know no name that will
loo severely reprosch our folly AT least let
warning be taken at the FIRST fruits of the
threatened innovation. The very appearance
OF the till has transformed that " christian
forbearance, love and charity,"' which of
late mutually prevailed into animosities and
jeaousies which msy not soon be appeased.
Wha' mischiefs may not be dreaded, should
this enemy to the publick quiet be armed
with the force Of law
Because the policy Of the bill is adverse to
the diffusion oil the light OF christianity
The first wish OF those who ought to enjoy
this precious gif, ough, to be, that it may be
impaired TO the whole race of mankind
Compare the number OF those, who have as
yet received il, with the number still remain
ing under the dominion OF false religions,and
how small is the former Does the policy Of
the bill tend 10 lessen the disproportiOn No; (;
il at once dis ourages those who are strang-
ers 10 the light Of truth from coming into
the regions Of il and countenances by ex-
ample The nations who continue in darkness,
in shutting out those who might convey it
TO them. Instead OF levelliDg as far as pos
sible every obstacle to the vigorous progress
OF truth, the bill, with an ignoble and un-
christisn timidiiy, would circumscrbe it with
wall OF defence against the encroachments
OF error.
Because attempts to enforce,by legal sane
tIs nh Iftlc
ton OF cilizens, tend to enerva,e the laws in
general, and To sacken the bands of society.
Ii il be difficult to execute any law, which
is not generally deemed necessary or salutary
what must be the Case where 1t is deemed
invalid and dangerous And what may be
the effect oi SO striking an example of i'm
potency in the government ON its general
authority
Because a measure Of such singular mag
nilude and deiicacy ought not to be imposed,
without the clearest evidence that 1t is called
ior by ma jority of ci,izens and no satis-
factory method is yet proposed by which the
voice OF the majority in this case may be de-
termined, or It's influence secured. The
people OF the respective counties are indeed
requested to signify their opinions respecting
the adoption oi tile bill TO the next session OF
assembly" But the representation must be
made equal, before the voice either of the
representatives or of the counties will be
that ot the people. Our hope is that neither
of the former will after due consideration es-
ponse the dangerous principle oi the bill.
Should the event dlsappoint us, it will still
leave Us in full confidence, that fair appeal
to the latter will reverse the sentence against
our liberties.
Because, finally, "the equal right of every
citizen to the free exercise of his religion ac-
cordins to the dictates of conscience" is
held by the same tenure with all our other
rights. Ii we recur to its origin, it is equal
ly the gilt OF nature If we weigh its impor-
tance, 1t Cannot be less dear to us if we
consult the " Declaration of those rights
which pertain 10 the good people of Virginia
AS the basis and foundation Of government"
1t is enumerated with equal soIemnity, or
rather with studied emphasis. Either then
we must say, that the will of the Legislature
Is the only measure of their authority and
that in the plenitude of this authoFily, they
may sweep away all cur fundamental rights
or that they are bound to leave this particular
right untouched and sacred either we must
say that they may control the freedom of the
press may abolish the uial by jury may
swallow up the executive and Judiciary pow
ers of the state-nay, that they may annihi-
ate our very right of suffrage, and erect
themselves into an independendesA and here
ditaly Assembly or we must say that theJ
have no authority to enac. into law the bill
under consideration. We, the Subscribers,
say, that the General Assembly of this Com
have no such authority ; and that
no effort may be omitted ON our part against
SO dangerou. an usurpation, we oppose to it
this remonstrance, earnestly praying, as we
are in duty bound, that the Supreme Law
siver of the Universe, by illuminating those
10 whom II is addressed, may, on one hand,
turn their councils from every act, which
would afs ont his holy prerogatiue, or violate
the trust commi,led 10 them and on the
Dt her. vuide the IN into every measure which