The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-21


so as to express il TO be the duty as well As the
right to worship God, &c. This amendment
after some debate, in which Or Rose, Mr.
Herrick, Judge shacher, and Mr. Holmes took
part, was negatived.
Mr. Stevens, Of China. farther moved TO a.
mend by adding the following words " New
ertheIess every sect or denomination OF Chris
lians ought TO observe the Sabbath or Lords
day, and keep up some sort of religious wor
ship which to them shall seem most agreeable
to the revealed will of God" Mr. Holmes
and Judge 1hacher opposed this motion, and
il was negati,ed. Mr. II. observing that the
committee had considerable difficulty upon
thi- question, but il was finally their opinion
10 leave the subject entirely free.
Mr.. Emery said as all gentlemen seemed to
think that Il was = duty to worship God,
though they feared TO give the Legislature the
pow er 10 enforce the right, he felt some diff
dence in introducing the amendment he was
about to make: he begged leave however 10
amend the section by adding these words, Sc TO
exercise that Duty" that is of worshIpping
God this he could not think would infringe
the rights OF conscience. Ii any man, he said,
thinks this is not his duty, let him avow il,
and he wished TO have the sense of the Con
veniion-
Mr,Hoi'nes was opposed 10 this amend
Judge Green spoke at some length IN favor
of il.
Mr.. Locke differed from the gentleman last
up.
Judge Thachcr supported the motion.
Gen. Chandler thought the article better as
il is: he said they were not assembled 10 pro-
scribe religious duties.
Mr.. Usher saw no reason why every one
should not be required TO support religion in
some way.
Mr. 7hGver observed that men might learn
their religious duties from the Bible, if we go
elsewhere we may make hypocrtes, but not
christians, he hoped the motion would not pre-
vail
Mr. Emery again rose 10 explain the reasons
of his motion and to answer objections which
had been made TO it.
Mr. Holmes replied TO Mr.. E. and the ques
tion was taken and decided in the negative.
Mr. Whitman then moved the following
amend 1ent (: As the happiness OF people
and the good order and preservation of civil
government, essentially de1end on piety. re
ligion and morality, and as these cannot gen.
orally be diffused but by the institution of the
public worship of God and Of public instruc-
tions in piety, religion and morality: there
fore 10 promote his happiness and TO secure
good order and the preservation Of their gov
eminent, the Legislature shall have power and
L 4, Ill
10 encourage and uphold the institutions of
public worship and public instruction in the
principles of piety, religion and morality"
Mr. Whitman supported bis proposed a
mendment by few pertinent remarks.
|" Judge Paris opposed tbe gentleman's a.
mendment entirely he considered that the
Convention were sitting TO restrain the power
Of the future Legislature, not that they should
on every occasion, and as each denomination
of Christians might obtain the ascendancy,
put their hands into the public chest TO sup
port their own particular order.
Mr.. Holmes was also against the motion of
Mr. Whitman he spoke much and feelingly
upon the rights Of conscience he wished to
put no kind of restraint whatever upon opin-
ion; he thought religion needed no support
from government. and be trembled when be
thought of the fatal effects which had resulted
from The Interference of the civil power
pouer. Sir, said be, is dangerous word in
religion II am afraid of its influence, when
exercised in connexion with the passions OF
men tremble, Sir, when | think Of the
torrents O: blood which have flowed from re-
ligious intolerance when aided by posger. He
mentioned the inquistion, and the stake, as
some OF the consequences. What does the
gentleman understand by g suitable means ?"
why, Sir, the dominant party will understand
by il any means which will subserve their
ends | hope, Sir, the motion will not pre-
vail
Judge T'hac5er said, he really began TO feel
alarmed, The gentleman who opposed this
amendment discovered so much heat in de
bate should have suspected, Sir, said he,
that somebody had been at the stake in front
of the house, or that somebody had arisen from
the inquisiion and presented themselves here.
to have produced all the excitement which
has been exhibited the gentleman talked SO
srdently on the subject that | almost began to
think that srelt The smoke OF iaggots
think. Sir, said he, that ifthe gentleman had
shown more logic and less eloquence. he for
his part should have been better pleased he
thought at this time that we were TOO en-
liehiened 10 talk of faggots and the inquisition.
He hoped the amendment would prevail, for
he thought il saluiary provision to preserve
our present wholesome institutions, and to in
crease them.