Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-10

replace it in this world; shall it return with desc
lsting flames. NS'oo
| Religion is the law of conscience E,.- T.,
ABOUT 1t annuIs II, because by imposing our du,v s
command, II takes away all merit from f.;,h
which is the basis of religion. The commandment.
and The sacred doctrines are useful, luminous. and
OF metaphysical truths we ought all to believe
them, but this duty is moral, not political
On the other hand, what are the duties ofrr.,
towards religions They are written in Heaven.
there merit IL rewarded, and justice distributed ac
coidlng TO the code dictated by the Supreme Lee
gisiaior AL this being of divine cognisance i,
to me at first sight, both acrileeious and p,o
iahe' 10 mix human ordinances with the command.
mems OF the Lord. To prescribe then q p.r,;-
cular form of religion does not belong IN Oh. !.
gslaior; tor the latter must aifix punisbmen,s -
VIOLATIONS oil the laws that they may lot come n, he
mere admonions. There being no temporal n,,ri.b-
menis, nor judges to apply them, the law ceases 10
be a law.
The moral developement of man is the first de-
sire oil the legislator; soon as this deyeopemept
Is obtained, man strengthens his sense of hi, moral
oolisations with The revealed truths and in fact
processes religion, which is so much the more eff
cacious from being The result OF his own Inquiries
Besides the fathers of families cannot neglect the
dulles OF religion TO their children The spiri,uaI
teachers are Obliged 10 preach the knowledge of
God; the true followers of Christ are the nos, eIo.
quent teachers OF his divine doctrine: but doc,rines
cannot be Instilled by force nor is the person in
authority the teacher nor ought violence to he EN-,
pioy ed IN giving advice Cod and his ministers arc
the authorities ot religion, which acts by means
ana instruments entirely spiritual; and in no wise
the magistracy OF the nation which directs tb.
power entrusted them by the people to PURPOSES
purely temporal
Legislators, On seeing the new nation of BoIivi,
prociained 10 the worli, what generous and noble
efhsS ouSht 10 Pervade your breasts? The en-
trance OF new State to the society of the rest il
motive OF rejoicing 10 the whole human race, as
oy IL IS Increased the great family of nations -
What then must be that of its founlers and minelL
who thus see myself equalized with the most ceIe-
GRATED OF the ancIents, the Father OF the Eternal
City. Inns glory rghtfully belongs to the foun-
ders OF nations, who, having been their first bene-
factors, ought to receive immortal rewards: hat
mine besides being immortal has the merit of being
gratuItous, as IL has not been deserved Where ~
he Republic, where the city that ! have foundedp
Your munihcencc in defeating a nation TO me
mas INFINITELY exceeded all my services; and is in
hni'ely above all the benefits man il capable Of
ever rendering to you
My despair Increases on contemplating the i'm
men~ity OF yoHr reward, TOR after having exhausted
the talents, The virtues, the genius itself of the
greatest OF heroes IN your service should still be
unworthy OF deserving The name, which you have
oeen Pleased 10 give yourselves -mine!! Shall I
speak to you my gratitude, when it would never
be able even feebly TO express to you what feel
al your Kindness, which, like that of God is un-
limited! Yes: God alone had power to cali tina.
land Bolivia. What means Bolivia? An un-
bounded love OF liberty, on receiving which, in
your exiasy you saw nothing comparable to il in
value. Your rapiures finding no expression strong
enough Ior the transport OF your feelings, YOU
threw away your name, and gave mine to your
iuture generations. This which is unheard of in
the history OF nations, is still more SO as an in
Stance oil splendid dsin,erestedness. Ii will sbe,y
to ages yet IN The bosom of the Almighty, how
much you longed for the possession of exercising
political virtues, acquiring shining talents and the
enjoyment OF being men. This repeat, will prove
ina, you were entitled to obtain the great blessing
OF Heaven, The Sovereignty Of the People the
only legitimate authority of nations
LEGISLATORS, happy are ye that preside over the
de'I'nies OF Republic which has been born
crowned with the lauIels of Ayacucho, and which
VIII perPetuate its existence under the laws die
taied by your wisdom, in the calm in which Won
have been left f'om the din O: war.
(Signed) BOLIVAR
Lima, May %, 1926.