The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-02
Ero.n lie bingham Gaseiit.

cester Convention was III t"e
words:
:. RESOLVED, That Religious Freedom IS
natural and unalienahle rgnt OF MAN. a"o
needs not the aid of Legislator anu 'na.
the third article III the BIN OF hisu's ooS"'
therefore to be expunged
The Address states that "that the COM
pnlsorv sunoort of Religious Establishments
= another means used by the AristOcracy
for Transferring money from the pockets of
Tho neonle to those of the privileged clas-
Sos Was il not the Senate, the branch Of
The LEGISLATURE which, being based upon
wealth represents the soul of the Aristocra-
cv. dollars and cents, that defeated the
amendment of the Constitution, which would
have struck from existence this sdious fea-
tnre of oar policy, and which amendment |
had passed the popular branch Of the Legis-
lature, the Representatives of the people, by
an overwhelming vote ?"
One of the speakers IN the convention,
said that "the amendment was defeated in
the Senate by the votes Of the membe rs
from Boston," and another said that the
power Of the aristccracy "was exemplihed
in eur own Legislature during its last session
by The indefinite postponemeRt in the Senate,
of resolve which passed the House propos-
ing an amendment in the constitution of this
Commonwealth in the third article of the
Bill of Rights"
The above attempt to create an unjustifi-
able excitement in relation to the Bill Of
Rights, and to blend the subject Of Religion
with our political elections, merits severe
reproof. shall present stateme mt o: facts
in relation TO the whole subject, which will,
trust, satisfy every candid and unprejudi-
ced mind. will premise that am in ia
vor Of Religious Freedom, that believe it
to be a natural and unalienable RICH. of man,
that am in favor Of adopting the principle
of exemption from compulsory tax for the
support of Religion, and that if these consid-
CREATIONS influence me at all in casting a
vote at the ensuing election, they will in
duce me to give il to our present enlighten-
ed Chief Magistrate, the distinguished adj
vocate Of Religious Freedom, and the friend
of popular Rights. am aware that upon
this subject there is an honest difference of
opinion in the community; that persons be-
longing to the same religious sect differ IN
their opinions respecting ii, and do not be-
lieve that single sect, as body, reject the
principle which have stated. The whole
subject was ably discussed in the Massa-
chuset.s Convention in 1901. LEVI LIN
coin there stood forth in defence of the
principle, then unpopular, that there ought
to be no compulsory support of religion by
law. On the question of the adoption of n
proposition to that effect, by d.. Childs of
Pittsfeld, his name stands recorded among
the Yeas, with Dearbon, Bangs, Hodges, and
many others Of the present friends of the
State Administration. The proposition was
however, rejected.
The subject was again revived by petit
sinua az tho OF aasoiou nf tho IN
will now give the facts respecting the dis
position Of it.
The Legislature assembled on the 25th
MAY. On the 3lst day Of May, on motion
OF Mr.. Hudson of Westminster. the sub
ject was committed to a special commit
tee. On the third day of June, report was
presented declaring that it was expedient to
erpunge the article in full, which report was
recommitted on motion of Nj. Holden of
ChaIlestown Ia friend to the principle of
exemption from compulsory support of re-
ligion.) On the sixteenth day Of June the
committee again reported and the report
was amended, by its friends, and recommit-
ted to be taken into a new draft. Three
DAYS previous to this, the House had chosen
committee On the subject Of a recess, which
COMMITTEES was joined by the Senate on the
18th. In the afternoon of the 10th, the spe-
cial committee on the anne ndment reported
it in a new draft Incorporating certain
amendments, and it passed the House. On
the 18th, which was Friday, The committee
on the recess reported that one might he
had on the 2lst, which was on Monday
and it was generally expected that the re-
cess would tie had by that day. On the
same day ON which the amendment was re-
ceived from the House, it was committed to
special committee, who presented report
in favor Of the amendment on Monday the
2lst: thus taking but one day devoted to
Legislative business for the consideration oil
this important measure, which had been
more than three weeks in the House of Rep
resentatives, and on that day the Senate
were engaged in discussing another very
important amendment to tho constitution,
respecting which several calls were made
for the yeas and nays. On Monday the
amendment to the Bill of Rights was read
and assigned TO the next morning for its
second reading, thus giving members an OPP
portGnity to examine it but one day before
it was called up. II was called up on Tues
day, and debate ensusd not upon the mer-
its Of the main question, but upon the propri-
ETY. of acting upon it at the close of the ses-
slsn, when several members had obtained
leave Of absence. 1t was said, that there
was not time to give it that mature exam
nation Necessary to full understanding Of
its bearings on our existing laws, and pro-
position was made 10 refer it to the icinter
session Of the Legislature, which prevailed.
regretted this decision. should have pre-
ferrsd that the Legislature would have re-
manned in session few days longer, to have
examined il, but who that knows much of the
impotence of members to 60 to their homes
at the close Of q session, would repine much
at decision which ensures more deliberate
and perhaps safer Legislation. Thus stands
the case. The proposition was not defeated,
and several members who voted for the re-
ference, declared themselves friendly to the
principle, but wishing more time o examine
the details. 1t was not iadsfnitely posipon-
ed as alleged in the Worcester Convention,
but expressly referred to another session for
the av0wed purpose of giving such a shape
us should prevent wrong constructions and
unnecessary litigation.
Having given the facts as thoy were,
will now look back upon the pretensions
Of the Worcester Convention, who would
make use Of this very decision to create a
prejudice against LEVI LINCOLN, who long
since declared himself the friend, and stood
forth the champion, Of Religious Freedom
and of the laws for its promotion.
The Worcester Convention assume TO be