The Litchfield County post., 1828-07-17
G@WNEY 3pOSC.
LITCHFIELD, JULY 17, 1898.

the admissbiity of universast testify under oath, appears excite considerable feeling in the State.- By many the decision approved of, not only from the nature of the case but also because it justified by precedens well as law. The Courant asserts that there societies of proessed relgonists in this State whose rights at all affected by this decision. The Times takes the subject up in very serious and earnest manner, and calls in the supporto correspon- dents to oppose this thew encroachment upon the rights and liberties of certain class of our citzens" as the decision is termed. The Hartford Review, in noticing the subject says that the of Curtis and Strong, (4th Day. 5I) supports fully the doctrine that auniversast is incompetent wtness;"- --hat "Judge Swift, (Evidence, page 5O) declares the law to be the Court has decided it," and that Sin the of Hunscom and Hunscom, Q5 Mass. Reports, l84,} the Supreme Court decided such to be the rule i'm Massachusetts" A like decision was also recently made by Mr. Justice Story, at term of the U. s. Cir cult at Providence It thus appears that this is no new rule of law-no thew encroachment upon the rights and liberties of any class of our citizens" but that for many years, when the question has been brought before Courts the decisions have been the same,-uiz: that Universalist is not competent witness. All debate therefore upon this subectshoud be confined exclusively to the propriety mproprie- ty of such decisions, and not be wasted in vulgar tacks upon their Honors on the bench who decided according to the rule of law in the case. Whether there are any relgonists in this wlo will be a fected by this rule, know not; and if there are tine perfect justice of the is not altered in the least; and although 'this part of the world may be "provided refuge for all sorts of conscences" as Judge Peters inmates still it does follow that the conscience of one man is to be plead for an encroachment upon the rights and property of an other We have inqusitoral court no rack, or stake to force to the observance ofcertan exter nal rites ceremonies; test corporation acts, which force men to embrace one particular faith, or creed but every man is left by our constitution to worship his Maker,or not, as he peases; and in any form with any ceremonies he pleases, provided these forms do not interfere with the equal rights of his neighbours. This is latitude enough for the most thorough religious bertine But does this prove that the infdel who burns the bible, and curses its pse~ cepts, shall be allowed bypocrcaly to take bible oath upon hmselfhat he will truly testify in court oC justice? His licentious nGdey is tolerated where it does not conravene the equal rights of otlers and # it must be tolerated further, he only is the free man,
 
 salist-and according to the true meaning of the word, no man is a Universast who allows any future punishment for transgressors-is scarcely shade below the nidel. True he professes to believe the bible: but he denies all its most solemn truths and sanctions; he allows all of sin to be commit ted with the utmost impunty, and holds out 10 the most guilty the certain prospect ofmmedate and per- feet felicity after death. According to his sentiments the tottering drunkard reels glory from the midst of his bacchanaan reve!s-the lips which were sealed in death while altering oahs and blasphemes are O. pened with the song of the redeemed, and the hands which were palsied while plotting brothers death, are held up spotless and holy before God in the New Jerusalem. Such are the expressed opinions of all who follow the doctrines of Hosea Balou, Elias Smith, and Sebastian Streeter. Now our constitution allows these to build meeting houses invest funds for the support of their blind teachers and holds out the same protection to them, while in the peaceabIe performance of their religious ceremonies, it does 10 other orders of regionss but it allows advan- ages which their corrupt conscences might permit them 10 take over others by means of an oath beforea court of justice. This ceremony is intended to bind he conscience of the witness speak the truth by the tremendous solemnity of that divine assertion.
 Liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fre," &c. But the universaist with daring which sets Heaven at deGance laughs at this asser- ion, and says, 'as with the righteous. so with the wicked-one end and one lot awaits them all" Now shall my rights and my liberties be infringed upon by his man, D of justice, f he is tempted to tes-
 y against me, because he prcends conscientiousyto believe that "as it is with the man of truth, so also shall it be with the ar?'' He may hug such fatal leuson to himself, and bind it as with bars of iron lround his heart, with the utmost mpunity until he awakened by the light of eternity; our laws do not interfere with hm-they only say that his professedy onscientiOus impety shall not he allowed to encroach Ipon anothers ghts-hat if he believes is safe commit perjury as 1t is to speak the truth, there oe no possible tic upon his conscience to induce him speak the truth, if he is tempted to do otherwse- Mahometan would here be allowed to utter AL ahs'' to his prophet-a Persian worship the Sun, md Rramin muter his shasters, and worship ,is household gods; but it would not allow these sects use the means for extending their which he laws of teir several countries authorizes although hey may up the claim of conscience for doings md with Judge Peters that 'th part of the world provided as refuge for all softs of cosscie''ces The extended and centious notions of right and b- rty, which some men hold to and defend would act- rally render our form of government a curse rather han blessing. From the days of Shays rebellion Town to this present tme there have been, and still Ire, multudes of men, who, hating all restraint upon heir centOus precepts and practices, are bosterouS their defence civil liberty, and constantly raising
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