The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-03-20

it would constitute a Legislative de
cision of a religious controversy,
; in which even Christians themselves.
arc at issue. However suited sach
a decision may be TO an ecclesiasti-
cal council, it is incompatible w0b q
republican legislature, which is pure
Iy for political, and not religious
purposes.
In our individual character, we all
entertain opinions, and pursue a
corresponding practice upon the sub
Ject of religion. However divrsi-
fled these may be, we all harmoize
as citizens, while each is wiling
that the other shall enjpy the same
liberty which he claims for hi,nself.
But in our representative character,
our individual character is los.
The individual acts for himself 1.-The
representative for his constituents.
He is chosen to represent their poHti-
cal. and not their religious views
to guard the rights of man; MOTTO
restrict the right ofconscicnce. Des
pots may regard their subjects as
their property, and usurp the d.
vine perogative of prescribing lhir
religious faith. But the history Of
tho world furnishes the melancholy
demonstration, that the disposition
of one man to coercc the religiois
homage of another, springs from an
unchastencd ambition, rather ban
sincere devotion TO any religion.
The principles of our Go,ernnfni
do not recognize iu the majorAy.
any authority over the minority, ex
ccpt in matters which regard The
conduct Of man to his fellow man
! A Jewish monarch, by grasping the
holy censcr, lost both his sceptre
and his freedom /; a destiny as little
ktfer4raiifrpp ppl,8fasiss, l,8fasiss 1T fst''1
ereis nty Of power, if they. in the
pcrsnn Of their representatives shall
atempt to unite. in the rcmotest
degree, Church and State.
From the earliest period "f time,
religious teachers have attained
g, eat ascendancy over the minds oi
the pcopIe and ia every nation, a"
cient or modern, whether Pdgan,
Mahoncdan, or Christian, have sue
ceedcd in the incorporation OF their
religious tenets with the political in
sti,uiions Of their country. tht
Persian idols, the German oracles,
the Rome n auguries, and tho mod
.rn priesthood Of Europe, have all
in their turn. been the subject oI
n,nuIar adulation, and the agents
|, Of political deception. If the meas
ure recommended should be adopted
Il would be difficult for human saga'
Q ity to forsee how rapid would b.
e tho succession, or how numeron
8 the train of measures which nigh
0 follow, involving the dearest right
!. Of all-the rights OF conscience
$ is perhaps fortunate Tor our counn y
h that tac proposition should have bee
4 made a, this eally period, while til
:; spirit of the revolution yet exists i
u fall vigor. Religious Zeal enlist
,e tho strongest prejadices OF the d
A. man mind /; aud, when instructed
i. excilcs the worst passions OF our II
u. tnrc. under the delusi,e prclcxt
,c doing Gnd service. N"thing so
IN ruriaies The heart to deeds oil ia
sc inc aud blood /; nothing is SO ric'
in SAINT il, his tolls SO perseverlng
us determinations ; 50 appai'inS
es its course ; or so daugerou, IN
he consequences. The equali'y
Isl, rights secured by the Constitute
a NAV bid defiance to mere p'iihc
IN tyrants; but the robe Of sanc,l'y I
he often glitters to deceive. lhc Y
his sti,utiou regards the conscience
al, ,h. low as sacred as that ot
es Christian ; and gives no more
cpt ,hprity TO adopt a measure anec'i
ar tho conscience of a solitary may
in a,. than that Of a whole commni''
the That representative who would
ice late this principle, would lose
at. delegated character, and ior'et
the con6dencc Of his CONSTITUENCIES
ion Congress shall declare the FIRST
me. Of the week holy. it will not
be. vince the jew nor the Saooa'ar'
4 Il, uili dissaiisrY both aud Gu