The Arkansas advocate., 1830-04-28

1S Ati oeai V F. ooOiitettift ' Slisiit;GtSEs OUT ] individual character is lost. The indi- 1yiduai acts for himself; the representa- l tive for his constituents. He is chosen to representtheir political, and not their religious vlews-to guard the rights of
 man: not to restrict the rights of con scienee. Despots may regard their sub
 jects as their property, and usurp the di-
 vine prerogatiye prescribing their re- ligious faith. But the history of the
 world furnishes the melancholy demou- stration, that the dispositionof oneman to coeree the religious homage of another. springs from an unchastened ambition,
 rather than sincere devotion to any
 religion. The principles of our Gov ernment do notrecognise in the majority. any authority over the minority, except in matters which regard the conduct of man to his fellow man. 4 Jewish lnon- arch by grasping the holy censer, lost both his sceptre and his freedom; des- tiny as little to be envied may be the lot of the American people, who hold the sovereignty of fpower, ifthey, in the per son of their representatives, shall at- tempt to unite, in the most remotest de gree, Church and State.
 From the earliest period of time. re- ligious teachers have attained great as- cendaney over the minds of the people; and in every nation, ancient or modern, whether Pagan, Mahomedan or Christi an, have succeeded in theincorporation of their religious tenets with the polite al institutions of their country. The
 Persian idols, the German oraeles, the Roman auguries, and the modern priest hood Of Europe, have all, in their turn. been the subjects of popular aduIation, and the agents of political deception. ii the measure recommended should be adopted, 1t would be difficult for human sagacity to foresee how rapid would be the succession, or how numerous the train of measures which might follow. involving the dearest rights of all--the rights of conscience. Itisperhaps fortu- nate forour country, that the proposition should have been made at this early pe- riod, while the spirit of the revolution yet exists in it's full vigor. Religious Zeal enlists the strongest prejudiees of the human mind and when misdirect- ed, exeites the worst passions of our na- ture, under the delusiYe pretext of doing
 God service. Nothing so infuriates the heart to deeds of rapine and blood no- thing isso incessant in is tolls; Sc perse- verlns in its determinations; so soappaIline in its course; orso dangerous in its con sequences. The e5 5dality of rights se- cured by the constitution, may bid def ance to mere political tYrants; but the robe of sanctify too often glitters to de- ceives The constitution regards the con science of the Jew as sacred as that of the Christian; and gives no more alithor- ity to adopt measure affecting thecon- science ofa solitary individual, than that of a whole community. That represen- tatiye who would violate this principle. would lose his delegated character, and forfeit the confidence ofhis constituents. If Congress shall declare the first day of the week holy, it will not convince the Jew nor the Sabbatarian. It will dis satisfy both; and, consequently, convert neither. Human power may extort vain sacrifices; but Deity alone can command i the affections of the heart. 1t must be recolleeted that, in the earliest settle ment of this country, the spirit of perse- cution which drove the pilgrims from informative home, was broughtwith them to their new habitations; and that some Christians were scourged, and others put to death, for no other crime than dis senting from the dogmas of their rulers. With these facts beforesus, it must be subject of deep regret, that Q ques- ton would be brought before Congress, which involves tlae dearest priveleges of the constitutions, and even by those who enjoy it's choicest blessings. We should all reeollect that Cataline, professed
 patriot, was a traitor to Rome; Arnold, professed whig was traitor to Amer ica; and Judas, a professed disciple, was a traitor to his Divine Master.
 With the exception of the United States, the whole human race, consist ing 1t is supposed of eight hundred mil
 lions of rational human beings, is in re-
 ligious bondage; and in reviewing the scenes of persecution which history ey-
 cry where presents, unless the committee
 could believe that the cries ofthe burn ing victim, and the flames by which he IS consumed, bear to heaven a gratefu