Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-12-09

I "asc Oceh spit IN the old world,
vain attempts of the secular arm
! esfingoish religious disrord, by pr:
scribiny all difference in religion
opinion. Time has at length RI
vealed the true remedy. Every re
Inxation of narrow and rigorous pt
icy, wherever il has been tried, Ira
been found to .assuxgc tic disease.
fahe American theatre has exhibite.
proois, That equal and complete lib
erfy, ifit does not wholly eradicat,
II; sufficiently destroys its malignan
influence on the health aud prosper.
i:y OF the state. II, with the salu.
tary effects OF this system under ou,
swn eyes. we begin TO contract the
bonds Of relle ious freedom, we know
no namo that will sufficiently re.
pronch our folly. At least, let warn
ing be taken at the first fruits of this
threatened innovation. The very
appearance of the billhas transform.
cd /" that christian for bearance, love
and charity" which Of late mutually
prevailed. into annimosities and ieal.
ousics, Which may not soon be an.
pcased. What mischiefs may net be
dreaded, should this enemy to the
publtk quiet be armed with tho force
If n law.
Because, The policy of the bill is
adverse to the diffusion Of the light
h Christianity. The first wish OF
tlose who enjoy this precious gift,
ought to be, that it may be impart-
ed TO the whole race df mankind.
Compare the number OF those who
have as yet received it, with tho mum
tcr still remaining under tho 'domin-
ion Of false religions !; and how
small is the former ?---DOes the pol.
icy nf the bill tend to lessen the dis
proportion! No: it at once dis
couragcs those who are strangers to
the light Of revelation from coming
INTO the region Of it; and countc-
hancrs, by example, the nations
who continue in darkness,m shutting
INT those Who might convey ii to
them. instead of lcvciling as far
as possible, every obstacle to the
progress of truth, the bill
With an ignoblc and innchristian tim.
idity. would circumscribe X, with al
wall Of defence, against tho en-
Of error.
BE cause, Attempts to enforce by le-
sal sanctions, and obnoxlous to so great
proportion of citizens, tend to ener-
'ate the laws in general, and to slack
m the bands Of society. lit be-diff-i
:ult to execute any law which is not
generally deemed, necessary or aaluta-
y, what must be the case where it is
Ieemed invalid and danger ? And
what may be the effect If so striking
N example Of impotency in the gov
rnment, on its general authority.
Because, A measure Of such singo.
ar magnitude and deilcacy ought not
U be imposed, without the cIearest cv.
dcnce that it is called for by MAORI
v Of citizens. Aud no satisfactory
nethod is yet proposed, by which the
oice of the majority in this case may,
e determined, o. its influence secura-
d. :" The people Of tile respective
ountics are indeed requested 10 SIX.
ify their opinion respecting the adopt
IN Of the bill to the next session oil
ssembIy." But the representation
rust be made equal, before the voice
lther of the Representatives., or Of the
vunties will be that of the people -
'ur hope is, that neither OF the former
,iIl, after due consideration, espouse
he dangerous principle Of the bill.-
hou,d the eveat disappoint Us. twill
iii leave US in full confidence, that a
lir appeal to the latter will reverse
,e sentence against our Liberties.
Because, Finally, "the equal right
every citizen to the free exercise OF
is religion, according to the dictates
conscience" is held by the same
,nure with all our other rights. IL
'e recur to its origin, It is equally the
if Of nature {; if We weigh its imPor-
lnce, it cannot be less dear to US; ii
e weigh its Importance, it cannot
3 less dear to US if we consult the
Of those rights which per-
lin to the good people Of Virginia. as
,e basis and Foundation of govern.
lent,"S it is enumerated with equal
Dlemniiy, or rather studied emphasis.
ither then we must say, that the will i
the legislature is the. only measure i
{ their authority, and that iu the :
lentitude Of this authority, they may
weep away all our fundamental B
ghts: 9r that tbsy sss baund 70 lssysl