Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-06-05
ALEXANDRIA,:
SATURDAY,, JUNE s.. 1919.


whom We regard as good authority in mat
tiers touching religion, there is in the fol-
lowing fragment OF speech ofhis upon the
subject Of religious liberation, SO much elo-
quence and ingenuity, that we think itwell
worth its share of room in the columns oil
our pnbiic prints. 1t was spoken by thai
illustrious orator in the national assembly,
on the 23d OF July, l789-on the celebra-
ted declaration of the rights of a man and a
citizen.
"Genllemen,
yesterday had the honor Of submitting
to you some reflections, which tended TO
demonstrate that religion is duty, and not
law, and that the only thing thai belongs
to the declaration about which we are oc-
cupied, is to proclaim religious liberty with
loud voice.
Very little has been opposed to the mo-
ton of M. de Castelane, wiz. that no per-
son shall on any pretext whatever be dis.
turbed on account of bis religious opinions
land indeed what can be objected against
an axiom so evident in its own nature, that
the contrary is an absurdity! We are told
that religion is an object of exterior police;
that in consequence it belongs to a society
to regulate il, and to permit one species,
and prohibit another. | demand of those
who assert that religion is an object Of pc.
lice, whether they speak as Catholics ur as
Legislators Ii they urge this as Catbo-
lies, they allow that religion is an object Of
regulation, and that it is something purely
civil j: but IT 1t is civil, ii is a human nlsti-
tution-and if it is a human institution, it
is fallible. Man can then change it : from
tins it mast follow, according to them, that
the Catholic religion is not divine insti-
tuition, and, according to me, that they are
not Catholics.
If they Start this difficulty as legislators,
! have right to speak to them as states-
men; ana shall first tell them that it is not
true that religion ought to be subjected to
the police, although Nero and Domiian
have said SO, on purpose 10 interdict chris
tianity.
Religion consists in prayers, in hymns,in
sermons, in divers acts of alteration render
ed to God by men, who assemble in CON-
mon; and it is absurd TO assert, that an in
spector Of he police ought to regulate COL
lecfs and Litanies: that which belongs to
the police, is TO prevent any person from
troubling public order and tranquility. 1t
is or that account that it watches in your
streets, around your houses, ana about your
temples but it never presumed to regulate
what you do there: all lis power consists
in preventing your actions from hurting
your elbow citizens.
| also think it absurd, or purpose 10 pre-
vent the disorder which might grow out of
your actions, that your actions themselves
should be prohibited Assuredly it is
very expeditions mode,-but may be per-
mtled to doubt whether any state has a !
right to make use OF it. We are allowed to |
form assemblies, circles, clubs, lodges OF
free masons, and societies OF all kinds. Ii
is the business of the police TO prevent these
assemblies from disturbing the public Or
der; but certainly il never can be imagin-
ed that to prevent such assemblies from
troubling the public order, the best way
would be to prohibit them. Be careful lest |
any worship, even your own, shall disturb |
the public tranquility: that is your duty
but you cannot exceed it. They speak TO |
you necessarily of predominant or eadb-
!ished reli sion-predominant! Gentlemen,
do not understand that expression, and it |
is absolutely necessary that it should be |
defined 10 me. Is it tyrant religion that |
they would inculcate? But you have ba-
nished this word, and men who have as
serted to themselves the right Of liberty,
will not reclaim that o. oppression!
Is it the religion of the sovereign that
hey would enforce Z? The sovereign has !
no right to domineer over consciences, or
10 regulate opinions.
Is it the religion Of the majority Reli.
zion is an opinion this or hat religion is
The result 81 this or that opinion: new OPT
Mons are not the result OF sufrages. Your
thoughts are your own--they are indepen-
ient-you cannot even mortgage hen!
In fine, an opinion which may be that Of