Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-19

adopt measure affecting the conscience of solitary
indivldual than that of whole community. That
representative who would violate this principle would
lose his delegated character and forfeit the confidence
OF his constituents If Congress shall declare the
first day of the week holy, will not convince the
Jew nor the Sabbatariun. 1t will dissatsfy both and,
consequently, convert neither. Human power may
eStort vain sacrifices; but Deity alone can command
the affections of the heart. 1t must be rccollecteJ
tat, IN the earliest settlement OF this country the
spirit OF persecution which drove the pilgrims from
their native home was brought with them to their
new habitatlons; and that some Christians were
scourged aud others put to deati for no other crime
nan dissenting from the dogmas Of their rulers.
With these facts before us it must no suh;pct of
deep regret, that question should he bronght here
congress, which involves the dearest privileres of
tne constitution, and even by those who enjoy its
choicest blessings I'VE should all recollect that Ca
taiine protested patriot, was traitor tn ono.
Arnold, protested whig. was traitor to America:
aud Judas, protested disciple, was traitor TO his
Divine Master. ~
with the exception of the United States the whole
human race consisting it is supposed of eph hundred
millions OF rational human beings is in religious bond
III reviewing the of persecution which
history every where presents, unless the committee
coua oeheve that tn cries of the burning victim and
INC dmes ny which he Is consumed, bear to heaven
grateful incense, the conclusion is inevitable TINT
me inc cannot he too strongly drawn between Church
ana state IT solemn act oflegisation shall in one
point, aeine the law OF God, or point out to the citi-
zen one religious duty, it may with equal propricty
define every part of divine revelation and enforce
erery religious obligation even the forms and cere
MONIES OF worship, the endowment of the church. and
the support of the clergy.
1t was with kiss that J1las bnirovoI his O;r;,o
Master. and we should all be atmonished no matter
what our faith may be, that the rights of conscicnce
cannot be so successfully assaled under he pre-
text oil holiness. The Christian religion made ITS
way INTO the world in opposition to,all human oz,vcrn
mems. Banishmcnt, tortures andd death were inlict
ca III VAN 10 stop It's progress. But many of its pro
GsserS as soon as clothed with political power los,
40, irt, fto;r
began to iniiic on other religions and on dissenting
Sects or their own religion, prosecutions more aupra
Vated than these which their own apostles had en-
uured' Inc ten prosecutions of Pagan Emperors
were exceeded in atroc;y by the massacres and muir
ders perpe;ratcd by Christian hands, and in win shall
We examine the records Of imperial tyranny for an
engine OF cruelty equal to the Hoiy Inquiiiio, Every
Sect however meek in its origin, common
ceu Tue WORK. OF persecution soon us it acquired
political power. The trainers of the constitution rn
cosnized the eternal principle, that mans relation
WIN MS God Is above human legislation, and his
rights Of conscience una!ienabe Reasoning WINS
not necessary to establish this truth: we are consci
Gus OF 1t IN our own bosoms. 1t is this consciousness
which, in defiance of human laws has sustained so
many martyrs IN fortunes antsin flames They feH
That their duty TO God was superior to human enact
ments, and that could exercise no authority oy,
thcir consclenccs: it is inbofn principle which
nothing can eradicate.
The bigot, In the pride ofhis authority NAV lose
sight OF lt-but strip him of his power: nrcscribe =
faith to him which bis conscience reject
nm III turn with the dungeon and the fanrot and tho
spirit which God has implanted in him, rises I'm in
ieoeiiion and dehes you. Did the primitive Chris
tlans ask that Government should rccornize ana oh
serve their religious institutions? Al thew asked was
toerdfon; all they complained of was perse cution
" nat DID the Protestants Of Germany, or the Iu
grenots OF France, ask OF their Catholic superiors.
federation. What do the prosecuted Catholics of
ireland ask Of their oppressors? liberation
70 mol all men in this country enjoy every religious rich,
Mheh and saints asked Whence
IN full,
principle which human laws secure wishes To- r.s ny
ton of these principles from his neighbour Do , per.
allege that they conscenosy paicna, eu I
,he a cupacs and post offices, because the man IS
ried on Sunday If this he their motive then il is veil,
which stimulates action and not virtue or reron 6 ib
complain mat men, essconscentcus relation TO the
,ending their contents3 si their motive is mn al
selfish But II their motive be induce Com ress IN sanc
6y law their religious opinions aud obscrrnnes then their f
forts are to be resisted, their tendency fatal bs ~,
gos and political freedom. Why have the pettoners c;
ned their prayer the mails? Why have tbsv No, ra
that The Government he requested to s,senn III &c
functions that ay?' Why do they not REQUIRE ms 10 %
ha our ships shall not sathat armies shall not
that officers Of justice shall seize the suspected or
cohvicie They forget that government is
ry on Sunday any day of the week THE n, "a
evi does not rest that day 1t Government ever a
I'VE III us !unccn which enables a even the pe,jt;one.
to worship ourchurches peace Our Government fis
es' very few blessings like mails They bear from, ,
centre OF our republic lis distant extremes The acts Of o
legislative bodies, the decisions the judiciary and the orders
OF the Executive Their speed often essential TO the defn
VI 'ne country the suppression of crime and The dearest in.
week Their absence eofn supplied by public
ant besides while tie mail bags Oh, rest, the mail Coaches
@ pursue iielI Journey with the passengers The mail
relatives and friends, preserving heart between
lar SEPARATED and increasing the most pure refined
SVey Inc state Of The markets prevent runous specua,ion
@ promote general as well as individual Interest," they bear
religious letters, newspapers, agazines and
aoS wcn reach alnoa; every house throughout this wide
IS me conveyance OF these violation Of the Sabbath?
OF tie human race in intelligence, in virtue and
tsei depend. in part upon the speed with which
o"eoge oil The pasis disseminated Without an INTERCHANGE
between one country and another and between djirent
l o e same country every improvement or polt
an! 'he arts OF ie would be confined the neigiI
porhood where originated The more rapid and the nor,
lIen ,s interchange the more rapid win be march of
Ieiec ana the progress Of Improvement The mail il the
chief means by which intellectual l:pht rradares 90 ,,o @
Oh The Kepube Stop day seven ard you
e'd'u one seventh the advancement our couutrv So
rom stopping tie mail Sunday, the committee would m
2psao an, a use o. all reasonable greater
non OF our country every conception could be mad IN
s,snc every 'na IN the Union at the same timer not the
Instance o province or state from the seat of poyernnen
which endangers its separation, but il il the ;nc,,, III ~