Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-28

JUDGE -ToRY's DECIsIoN.-There has OF
| late, been so much said, in relation to the de-
cIs,on Of Judge Story. relative to the eligibility
Of Witnesses who do not believe In future re-
wards and punishments, that we are almost
tired with the subject. Beside this, it has been
settled by tho almost unanimous voice Of the
people, that he was not only wrong, but offer
cd a direct indignity 10 our State institutions;
and It appears to us, tina, it were as well to let
the matter rest where it is, and give Mr.. JUS
tice Story, an opportunity to correct his errors,
and profit by experience. A correspondent
has, however, thought proper to write on the
subject, and in justice to his feelings, we give
place 10 his communication He is q gentle
man of great responsibility, and is entitled to
the respect of those wEo read his production:
Nh. EDITOR In your paper Of Saturday
last, near the close Of the column headed RE-
LIGIoN, &c. is the following: According
to the decision of his celebrated jurist [Judge
Story] the WhOie of that respectable society
of christians, the Uniyersallsts, are to be pro-
scribed and disgraced." My principal object
in this communication, is to state, that II is an
error, to say that the whole body Of Universal
lists do not believe in a future state Of rewards
and puD;shments; for, >ir, you will recollect
that the ground Of the rejection of the older
Richardson, was supposed to be his disbelief
of a future state Of and pu~nishmcnts;
TO those who are acquainted with the senti-
ments OF Universalisis, It is known, that a very
respectable number of the clergy and people,
hold TO a future state Of dicipiinary punish
meat. But, sir. what have UniversalIs.s as a
body TO do with tho supposed decision of Judge
Story, in rejecting the elder Richardson. that
every citizen Of this State has not' nay, | may
say The United States.
1t would seem, from tho manner in which
some Of our Editors, as we'll as citizens, treat
this subject, as though the Hon. Judge design
cd to attack a particular denomination of pro-
Tossing christians, because it was known that
many Of them denied tho truth Of such q doc
trine being taught in tho volume Of Divine In
spIratIon. Is it not also we'll known that a
great many q do not speak unady! Adly) Of
orr citizens, who attend public worship at other
places than the Universalist Chapel, and many
U hope not q great number) who attend nc
where steadily, do no more believe in the sem
timent under consideration, than many who
are Universalists, and openly and publicly pro-
fess they have no faith in a future state Of re-
wards and punIsbmen's!
BIT, Sir, l would have all men and women
honest in matters Of religious faith; and if they
knew what belonged most essentially TO their
present happiness.and future hopes, they would
be. I have written more than I intended, when
] commenced, but l take the ground that no
man is to be catechjsed about his opinions in
a court of Justice, IN our country, when about
to give his testimony; nor is a witness to be
brought to testify what he did, or did not be-
lieve at a prior date; and ] holdi 1t to be an
insult in the State of Rhode Island, for any
person to do il, or for any individual, espec-
ally one gho is deputcd to watch over, ana
guard the civil and religious rights Of the citi-
Zens whom he represents, TO aid in the least
degree in destroying those rights; and for do
ine which, it is my humble prayer, he NAV be
permitted 10 stay at home, when another cleo
ton shall take place. X. Y. q.
The last sentence Of tho communication,
contains a direct attack upon one Of our Rep
resentatives to the General Assembly Mr.. Jo-
sEPH l.. TILLINcHAsT, and we cannot suffer
it to pass without notice. In raising the OBJ
lection to the rejected witnesses, Mr.. Tilling-
hast, acted as a lawyer, and not as a legisla-
tor, and we do not think that he is liable to
the least censure. We know the gentleman
well and are satisfied that he is as warm n
friend to tolerance as any man, and that he
would be the last to deprive any man of his
religious rights. As our correspondent has
thought proper to attack Mr.. Tillinghast, we
have thought it due to that gentleman, to offer
this passing remark.