Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-08

civil government, only as /. is a means OF sup
porting religions; and II be not necessary for the
latter purpose, il cannot be necessary for the
former. IF Religion be not within the cognl-
zance Of civil government, how can its legal es-
Establishment be said to be necessary to civil go
vernment? What influence, in fact, have eccle-
Observation-Disclosures had on civil society? In
Some instances they have been seen to erect
spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil au-
thority; in many instances they have been seen
upholdng the thrones OF political tyranny; in
no instance have they been seen the guardians
of the liberties Of the people Rulers who wish,
ed to subverl the public liberty, may have found
an established clergy, convenient auxiiarles.-
A Just government, instituted to secure and per-
petuate it, needs them not. Such government
will be best supported by protecting every citi-
zen in the enjoyment Of his Religion with the
same equal hand, which protects his person,
andhis property; by neither invading the equal
rights of any sect; not suffering any sect to In
wade those OF another
Because, The proposed establishment, is
departure from that generous policy; which, Of
fering an asylum TO the perse cuted and Cypress
ed of every nation and religion, promised a lus-
tire to our country, and an accession to the num-
Der of it's citizens. What melancholy mark
is the bill of sudden degeneracy? Instead of
holding forth an asylum to the prosecuted, 1t is
itself, signal of persecution. 1t degrades
from the equal rank of citizens all those whose
opinions in religion do not bend to those Of the
Legislative authority. Distant as it may be,
in its present form from the lnquisiton, it dill
fers from it only in degree. The one is the
first step, the other the last in the career OF in
tolerance. The magnanimous sufferer under
this cruel scourge in foreign regions, must view
the bill as a beacon on our coast, warning him
10 seek some other haven, "here liberty and
philanthropy, in their due extent, may offer
more certain repose from his troubles.
Because, 1t will have like tendency to ban
ish our citizens. The alurements presented
by other situations are every day thinning their
number To superadd fresh motive to emil
grafton, by revokng the liberty which they
now enioy, would be the same species of folly,
which has dishonored and depopulated flourish.
ing kingdoms.
Because, 1t will destroy that moderation and
harmony which the forbearance of our laws to
intermeddle with Religion, has produced l.
mongst its several sects. Torrents of blood
have been split in the old world, by vain at
tempts of the secular arm to extingush reli-
eious discord, by prescribing all difference in
religious opinions. Time has at length reveal
ed the true remedy. Every relaxation of mar
row and rigorous policy, wherever it has been
tried, has been found TO assuage the disease.-
The American theatre has exhibited proofs, that
equal and complete liberty, if it does not Who'll
ly eradicate it, sufficiently destroys its mahg-
nan, influence on The health and prosperity of
the state. If, with The salutary effects Of this
heoi IN
tract the bonds Of religious freedom, we know
no name that will too severely reproach our fol-
w. At least let warning be taken at the first
fruits of the threatened innovation. The very
appearance of the bill has transformed 1" that
Christian forbearance, love and charity" which
of late mutually prevailed, into animositles and
jealousies, which may moi soon be appeased.-
What mischefs may not be dreaded, should
this enemy TO the public quiet be armed with
the force Of law
Because, The policy of the bill is adverse to
the diffusion of the light of Christianity. The
first wish Of those who enjoy this precious gift,
ought TO be, that ii may be impaired to the
whole race Of mankind. Compare the number
of those who have as yet received it, with the
number still remaining under the dominion OF
false religions; and how small is the former?-
Does the policy of the bill tend to lessen the
No: it at once discourages those
who are strangers to the light of revelation
from coming into the region Of it; and counte-
nanoes, by example, the nations who continue
in darkness, in shutting out those who might
convey it to them. Instead of levelling as far
as possible, every obstacle to the victorious pro-
gress of truth, the bill with an ignoble and un-
christian timidity, would circumscribe it, with
a wall of defence, against the encroachmen's OF
error.
Because, Attempts to enforce by legal sane
tons, acts obnoxious to so great proportion OF
citizens, tend TO enervate the laws IN generai,
and to slacken the bands of society. IT 1t be
difficult to execute any law which is not gene
rally deemed necessary or salutary, what must
be the case, where it is deemed invalid and dan
eerous? And what may be the effect OF so stri-
king an example Of impotency in the govern
ment, on its general authority.
Because, A measure of such singular magni'
tude and deicacy ought not to be imposed,
without the clearest evidence that it is called
for by majority Of citizens And no salts
factory method is yet proposed, by which the
voice of the majority in this case may be deter
mined, or its influence secured. "The people
xrln1x ,s1l