Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-03

other men: II Is unalienable also; because wha,
Is here right towards men, is duty towards the
creator. II is the duty of every to render to
the Creator such homage, and such only, as he be-
ileves to be acceptable him; this duty is prece-
dent, both IN order of time, and degree of obi
CATION, 10 the claims OF civil society. Before any
man can be considered member of civil society
he must be considered subject Of the Governor
OF The Unverse And il a member Of civil society,
who enters into any subordinate association must
always do 1t with reservation of his duty to the
general authority; much more must every man
VINO becomes member OF any particular civil So
ciety, do 1t wltha saving OF hrs allegiance to the
Universal Sovereign. We maintain, therefore,
that IN matters of religion, mans right is abridged
py the institution OF civil society; and that reli-
sion is wholly exempt from its cognizance. True
Is, that no other rule exists by which any question
which may divide society, can be ultimately de-
iermned, but the will of the majority but it is also
uue, that the majority nay trespass on the rights
OF the minority.
Because, If religion be exempt from the au-
'hoity OF the society at large, still less can it be
SUBJECT TO that ofthe Legislative Body. The latter
are our the creatures and vicegerens of the former
lheir jurisdiction is both derivative and limited
1t is limited with regard to the coordinate de
partnents; more necessarily is it limited with re-
| gard TO the constituents. The preservation of a
Tree government requires not merely that the metes
and bounds which separate each department of
power be invariably maintai aimed; but more espe-
ciay, that neither of them be suffered to overlesp
| The great barrier, which defends the rights of the
| people The rulers who are guilty of such an en-
enactment. exceed the commission from which
'hey derive Their authority, and tyrants. The
/ people who submit to it are governed by laws
maze neither by themselves, nor by an authority
derived from them, and are slaves
Because, II Is proper to take alarm at the first
experiment on our liberties. We hold this pruden,
OtIsVt IN he ho ,1,,,,. 6
me nooest characteristics of the late revolution
} The freemen OF America did not visit till us,rped
power had strengthened itself by exercise, and en-
| tangled the question in presidents. They saw all
The consequences In the principle, and they avoided
'he consequences by denying the principle. We
revere thus Lesson too much, soon to forget it
! Who does not see that the same authority which
can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other
Religions, may establish With the same ease, any
particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of ali
other sects! That the same authority which can
iorce cltlzen to contribute three pence only of
MS property tor the support of any one establish
ment, may force him to conform 10 any other es
Enlistment in all cases whatsoever.
Because, The bill violates that equality yybiehl
ought 10 be the basis of every law. and which i'll
more indispensable, in proportion as the validity or
eAredency 81 any law is more liable 10 be inn
peached. Ii " all men are by nature equally free
anu independent, all men TO be considered as
entering into society equal conditions, as relin
gushing no more, and therefore retaining no less,
one than another, OF their rights. Above all, are
they TO be considered retaining an e0ltoL title
TO the free exercise of religion according to the die
tates OF conscence."t Whilst we assert fbr QUIZ
selves freedom 10 embrace, to profess and tn nh
serve the religion which believe to be of divine
origin we cannot deny an equal freedom to those
whose minds nave not yet yielded to the evidence
winch mas convinced US If this freedom be abus
ec' II Is an offence against God, not against man :
To God, therefore, not to men, must an ,ccann,
oft be rendered. A. the bill yioIates.ao,,aIi, ~
subJectnS some to peculiar burdens; so il violate.
the same principle, by granting to other, neculi.r
exemptions. Are the Quakers and Menonis,s The
| only sects who think compulsive support of
their religions unnecessary and unyarrantabep Ca,
thelr pety alone be intruSed with the care of nub
! Tic worship: Ought their religions 10 be endow
ed, above all others, with extraordinary privileeas
by which proselytes may be entced from All o,bsrs
! we think too favorabiy of the Justice and oood
sense OF these denominations to believe. that ibev
either coVet pre-emInences over their fellow ci,i
zens, or that they will be seduced by then. from,
the common opposition to the measure.
Because, The bill implies, either that the Civil
Magistrate rs competent Judge of religious truth;
or that ne may employ religion as AN engine Of RI
vii policy The first is an arrogant pre,en.;on
aisifed by the contradictory opinions of ruJers in
| all ages, and throughout the world The second
an unhallowed peTvesion of the means of saliva
! ton.
because, The establishment proposed by the hill
Is not requisite for the support of the Christian Re
lIgIon 10 say that II is is a contradiction tn the
Christian Religion itself; for every page of it djsa
! VOWS dependence on the powers of this vvorlJ .
IT'S contradiction to fact; for il is known that this
religion both existed and fourished not onIv viii.
out the support of human laws, but in snite of
| every opposition from them; and not only DURING
the Teriod OF miraculous aid, but long after II baG
been lett TO lis own evidence, and the ordinary
care OF providence Nay, IL is Contradiction in
terms; Tor Religion not invented by human mil
| cy, must have pre-ex;sted and been surnorted
before it was established by human policv r. !.
moreover 10 weaken in those who profess This Re-
I ligion, pious confidence in it's innate exrsIIsncs
and Inc patronage OF its author & to foster in those
who sI reject 1t, suspicion, that its friends are
merits. W."
| Because, Experience witnesseib. that ecc,ss,,s
tical establishments, instead of maintainine tho
purity and efficacy of Religion, have had = ron.
trary operation. During almost fifteen cen,urie.
mas The legal establishment Of Christianity been an
uial. what have been its fruls3 More mr. Iess
! IN all places, pride and incidence in the Cle,oy
ignorance and sefvility in the lsity in both s,,'
Persiition, bigotry and persecution. Ipo,ir of H.
teachers OF Christianity for the ages in which IL
appeared In ITS greatest lus;re those of eyer esc,
Po'n' 10 Inc ages prior 10 its incOrporation viii
. .'' Poney: Fiopo'e restoration of this prir
'uFe s'a'e' III which its teachers depended on the
voluntary rewards Of their hocks. MAJ, e -
predict its downfall On which lido go. y. ' 'il
testimony to have greatest weight. ,a5sa ' &c.
or when against their INTEREST," 'o' ;
Because, The establishment j, o,es,io., :; 49,
necessary tor the support of civil Coco.