Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-17

mail; hut case tlatwosld interfere with tho hours
Of public worship. the oco is TO be kept open for
hour ai(cr the usual time of dissolyng tho meeting
Thus liberal construction of the law docs not satisfy
the fncmorialists. But the committee believe that
tore not just ground of complaint, unless be con-
coded that they have a controlling power over the
consciences of others. IfCongress shall, by the au-
thoriy of law, sanction the measure recommended,
Vt would constitute Legislative decision of religious
controversy, in which even Christians themselves,
nre at issue. However suited such decision may
be to an ecclesiastical council, il is incompatible with
republican legislature, which purely for political,
and not religious purposes.
In our individual character, we all entertain Opt
nions and pursue corresponding practice upon the
subject of religion. However diversified these may
be, we all liarmonize citizens, while each is willing
that the other shall enjoy the liberty which he
claims for himself But in our representative cha.
racter our individual character is lost The indivi,J
dual acts Tor himSeii-thc representative for his con-
stuents. He is chosen 10 represent their political
AID not their religious views--to guard the rights of
man; not to restrict the right ofconsciencc. Dcspo,s
may regard their subjects their property and usurp
the Divine prerogatfve Of prescribing their religious
faith But the history of the world furnishes the
melancholy demonstration that the disposition of one
man TO cocrce the religious homage another springs
from an unchastcned ambition rather than sincere
devotion TO any religion. The principles of our Go.
vernmen do not recognize in the majority, any au-
thority over the minority, except in matters which
regard the conduct of man to his fellow-man. A
Jewish monarch, by gtaspng tho holy censor, lost
to be cnvied may be the lot of the American peop.
who hold the sovereignty of power. if they in the
person oil their representatives, shall attempt to unite,
in the remotcst degree, Church and State
From the earliest period of time religious teachers
have attained great nscendancy over the minds of the
people; and IN every nation, ancient or modern whc.
Their Pagan, Nohamedan, or Christian have succeed
cd In the incorporation of heir religious tencts with
the political institutions of their country. The Per.
sian IDOLS the GTecian oracles, the Roman augurics
and the modern priesthood of Europe have all, in
their turn, been the subject of popular adulaton and
the agents ofpolitcul deception. Ifthe measure re.
commended should be adopted, il would be difficult
Tor human sagacy to forc &c how rapid would be the
succession, OF how numerous the train of measures
which might follow, involving he dearest rights of
ai-the rights of conscience-Itisp perhaps fortunate
Tor our country that the proposition should have
been made at this caly period while the spirit of the
revolution yet exists In fui vigor Religious zeal
cnlsts the strongest prejudces of the human mind:
ana, when msdirecied. cXctcs the worst passions Of
our nature, under the dclusivc preteX of doing God
service Nothing so infuratcs the heart to deeds of
raplne and blood nothing is incessant in its tolls:
So perSevering IL It's determinations so appalling in
ITS course; or so dangerous in its consequences The
equaiity OF rights secured by the constitution may bid
dehnncc 10 mere political tyrants; but the robe of
sancty too often gltters TO deceive The constitu-
ton regards the conscience of the Jew as sacred as
that OF the Christian; and gives more authority to
ADOPT measure affecting the conscience of SOLITARY
individual, than that of a whole communIty That
representative who would violate this princple wond
lose his delegated characters and forfeit the confidence
OF his constituents If Congress shall declare the
first day of the week holy, it will not convince the
Jew nor the Sabbatarian Ii will dissatsfv both and
consequently, convert neither. Human bower NAV
eXtort vain sacrifices; but Deity alone can command
the affections of the heart. 1t must be recollecied
that, IN the earliest settlement of this country the
spirit of persecution which drove the piIprims from
their native home, was brought with them to their
new habiations; and that some Christians were
scourged, anu others put to DEATH for other crime
than dissenting from the dogmas of their rulers
with these facts before us, it must be n subject of
deep regret, that question should be brought before
Congress, Which involves the dearest privileges of
the constitution, and even by those who cnioy its
choicest blessings. Ue should all recollec that Ca
tane, protested patriot, was q traitor 70 Rome.
Arnold, protested wing, a traitor TO America:
and Judas, a. protested disciple traitor to his
Divine Master.
With the exception of the United States the whole
human race, consisting it is supposed of eight hundred
millions OF rational human beings, is in religious bond
1ge and iR reviewing the of persecution which
history every where presents, unless the committee
could believe that tn cries of the burning victim and
me names by which he is consumed, bear to heaven
grateful incense the conclusion is inevitable that
the Inc cannot DC too strongly drawn between Church
and state Ia solemn act oflcgslation shall in one
point, define the law of God or point out TO the cti
zen one religious duty, it may with equal proprcty
deInc ecery part OF divine revelation, and enforce
ereTy religious obligation, the forms and cerc
MONIES OF worship, the endowment of the church and
the support of the clergy.
II was with kiss that Judas betrayed his Divine
Master. and we should all be admonished no matter
what our faith may be, that the rights of conscience
cannot be so successfully assailed as under the pro
text OF holiness. The Christian religion made IFS
way into The world in opposition 10 all human govern
en's' Banlshment, tortures, and death were inhic-
ed III vain to stop its progress But many of its pro
iessors, as soon as clothed with political power los,
the meek spirit which their creed incuicated, and
began 10 lnlct on other religions and on dissenting
sects OF their own religion prosecutions more agra
yated Than these which their own apostles had en-
dured' The ten prosecutions of Pagan Ernperors
were exceeded In atrocity by the massacres and muir
GERS PefPetrated by Christian hands, and in vain shall
we examine the records of impefal tyranny for an
engine cruelty equal to the Holy Inqnsiiion Every
religious sect, however meek in It's origin comment
ccd me work Of persecution as soon rs il acruirod
political power The trainers of the constitution re
cognzed the eternal principles, that mans relation
WIN ms God IS above human legislation and Ing
rights OF conscience unalienable. REASONING WINS