The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-07-25
MISCELLANY.
FOR tue GAZETTE.
FOR THE GAZETTE.
BehJin the general principles Of Religion,
essential to the ciuii STATE.

As''g w "se 3 c'so'os P's"efPteS " AscetgtOfs.
essential to the ciuii STATE.
II We consider, that The security and bsppi.
ness Of society depend on the fidelity and in
iegr'y OF ITS members. we easily perceive the
importance oil belief in the general primes.
pies Of Religion. Without the restraints.
which religion impose on men, human laws
would bs wholly inadequate to prevent their
committing the most enormous crimes. Hu
man laws owe by far the greater part If the IL
efficacy, 10 The iuHoeuce Of religion.
Men who have thrown off the restraints of
religion, with lille h,siisiion from cons,dera.
ton of civil laws. perform any actions, which
they imagine, will conlribuie 10 th,r own I'm
mediate satisfaction aud enjoyment. Re e..
Jude the band OF justice, they frequently have
recourse To deeds more alrocious, Than those
ALREADY committed.
There are many actions, that strike al the
happiness Of society, which come not under
the cogn,zaace OF civil authority. From the
performance of these, men can be deferred
onIv by belief in ihi, principle Of religion /;
INA. there is a iu'ure stale, and that they are
TO be treated IN that state. as they cooduc, in
the present. 1t easy 10 foresee what misery
and ruin would ensue 10 society, from a gen.
ersl disbelief Of this single principle.
The happiness and prosperity of commu.
mites depend much on the fidelity Of their 10.
lers. Rulers are bound 10 a faithful dis.
charge Of their duties by the sanct,ty of an
oath. TA. will influence them only in pro-
portion to their belief IN the principles Of re-
iIg'on But rulers may have many motives.
To act contrary ~ the interest Of the commu
n'ty, aud frequent opportunities Of acting in
obedience 10 these motives il is, therefore.
obvious that there is no security Of happiness
To states, whose rulers are Inhlels. If inf lei.
iiy universally prevailed, courts Of Justice
would mol only become useless, but the would
Cease 10 exist. There would be no remedy
against fraud, theft, treachery. murder, and a
thousand other crimes, which would undoub,.
eddy he perpetrased. No one could out cor.
hdeuce IN .be promises Of another; for he.
VINO mace a promise, ii be found 1t disadya an
isgeous to himself, would violate il without
hesitation. The obligations, which bind in.
dividaals 10 acts Of Kindness and hospitality,
would 70 disregarded, and men would conduct
towards each other, as Their caprice and self.
interest might direct.
Finally, take away belief in the general
principles OF religion, and The heod.g,tes of
vice would be open; its iurbid and baneful
streams would oserwhelm society; virtue
'uid rel'nqu'sh her abode on earth, and, ON
hef departure, weep over the destruction of
man. A. b.
The following extract from the report of a
Debate IN The british House Of Commons, June
"A, 1919. will be read with some interest IN
reference Ia the present posture Of Spanish al.
ia'rs, and TO the elevated station which The
Spanish statesman mentioned (ArgueILrs) holds
IN The new government Of SPAN.
s'r James Macintosh said-Anonv the
tiles which ferdinand VII seemed in the ewes
OF h's MsJesiy's Ministers 10 possess, 10 The in.
icrtefe"ee Of England in his behalf, he wished
to know il The noble Lord opposite, reskoned
ms ready compliance with that noble Lords
request for The release from confinement Of
hose allies OF Great Britain. and patriots OF
spain, Who had incurred his sovs reign dis.
pleasure hear Parliament had been told OF
',pea'ed applications having been made BY
lhe Brush government for ibe release Of the SO
esce.'eDt ,ndi. iduals. Still, however .lrguei
iss ,anguished IN dungeon. The noble Lord
had assured the House lbs, the assembled ma.
jss'y OF Europe had twice interceded for him,
buI had 'erafded IN vain Let the noble
Lord remember, or al least lie, not the House
forget, that what Ferdinand had done for mon
ey, was gra'ui,ousIy accorded by Arguelles-
thai what Ferdinand, after long nesotia,ion
consented only partially 10 restrain {lhe slave
tiaee,) Arguelles prevailed Oh the Cories in
SANITY, universally, and forever 10 abolish
Hear
"M'. Canning said The honorable and learn
ed gentleman had mingled with his invec,ise,
against Ferdinand VII praises ofanother gov.
eminent, which he (Mr. Channing) could no.
altogether allow 10 be just. In The Corte.
there were certainly individuals Of great vir.
tues and splendid talent but he denied tina
there was any great DIR renee between The
two governments Nth respect TO fondnsss 10,