Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-12-25

questions oftheology. All this ia manifest FROM the
expressions of the Constitution. The mutual com
pact thus entered into, is binding upon but any
Legislature any Board of Trustees set it aside,
because it may be convenient to do so, a national
compact of citizen with citizen, is farce; and con-
stitutiona rights words without meaning. If the
ignorance of the people will OF permit you TO sup
port your College, without annung the Constitu-
ton, there ia hestataon which should be sacriii
ced But, in fact your College is quite as flourish
ing, the difficulties of the times and surrounding
competition, will permit it to be. You have no reo
son for complaint, in this respect; and take for
granted you will furnish no other reason for CON-
plant In any other
Such is the defence on which l, for my own part,
chuse to rest this take this ground, because
| am not now fighting my own battle. Every citi-
zen OF the State Is much concerned in this defence,
as am. The questions are, whether the free exer-
else and enjoyment of religious profession and wor
ship, without discrimination preference, shall for
ever hereafter in South Carolina he allowed to all
mankind shall it noE Are our religious rights in
whole or IN pait within the power and Jurisdiction
of the Legislature, any agent appointed by the Lee
gisature Are we bound by the Constitution, or are
| we not? / contend that the Constitu.ion-that con-
| tract made terms OF perfect equality, by every
| citizen with every other, has Withdrawn from the
Legislature all consider alton of religious questions.
| Is il so not?
Compared to these great questions, my Office and
It's emounents, are the mere dust OF the balance
desire it Distinctly to be understood, that having
fully and faithfully performed my duty, have IA
your to ask of the Legislature or of this Board
| am contendiDg for Objects of higher moment than
my own-ior the rights of every nhabtant of South
Carolina nor will l. from any risk of what may hap
pen, yield one iota of the great trust which ILL
Judging coalition of politicians and regionists have
| thought fit To throw upon me-
go further: if the Constitution by which YOU are
| bound, had not included syllable touching the
religious rights OF the people, they would have been
as sacred and as binding, as they now for they
were so, before 4 Constitution thought of. Can
any man whatever possess the right of sacrificing to
| another, for any consideration under Heaven his
obligations TO his Creator. his rights of conscience
his duty 10 prolnug gate whatever he believes to be
useful to his fellow and true in itself: Can any
man voluntarily contract with his fellow men for an,
| consideration under Heaven, that he will live on
n time-serving hypocrIte, and a deceiver of those
who put confidence in his declarations? His reli
gious obligations, anterior to- and independent o
| all social compact, and proflgate and i'm moral mus
| that contract DE that would annihilate them TIL,
declarations of the Constitution. therefore, are no
enactve, but dscaratory; and every honest and wis
man, must feel the honesty and wisdom that dicIa
ted them.
have now, in this great question, done my duty
faithfully and fearessly, my fellow citizens unt
myself leave you, gentlemen, to do yours.
During the course of DIR. Coopcr's speech, thu
plaudits of the multitude who attended as auditor
and spectators threatened to interrupt the business
OF the evening but they checked and scnce
by romonstrance from the President of the Board
On the evening of Saturday the 9Th, the Boar,
oil Trustees met in the College Library, and
Resolrcd, That NO CHARGE AGAINST Dr. COOPER
SHELVING THAT his CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE DEFEAT
Tine ENDS AND AIMS OF THE INSTITUTION, or AurHoRIz
AND THAT THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM, DE THEREFOR
DISMISSED.