Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-04
Igje,tA a,tU tsIteAtnemcrr.
For the Wing & lntelligencer

Mr. EDITOR: | was somewhat surprised at a
production in a late Illinois Inteligencer, writ
ten under the character of u Farmer" in which
it is attempted to cast a reproach on Lieut.. Gov.
Casey, on account Of his being minister of the
Gospel Now l have always esteemed a good
infdel to be better than bad Christian, but have
never been afraid to trust good Christian, with
the administration of public affairs. have lived
long enough in this world to learn by experience,
that names are not so dangerous, as the Farmer
would have us believe; that talent and honesty
are not confined to any class of mankind; and
am well satisfied, that in the selection of public
agents, regard should be paid, more to the indi-
vidual's character than to his profession OR pur-
suits in life.
As the Farmer has announced Gov Casey a
candidate for Congress in this district, it may be
well to inquire particularly into his character,
and if we can find no greater crime. than that of
his being preacher, ! can hardly suppose that
will be regarded as a serious impeachment to his
election. In turning over the journals of the
Legislative proceedings of this state, we discover
the name Of Gov. Casey, as member of one or
the other house of Assembly, from the year 1923,
up to this time In all his votes, on any subject
directly or indirectly connected with religious
interests, no man has made more manly expos-
lions of his views and feelings, nsr given more
decided negative to every proposition which had
even the appearance Of recognizing religion by
law, or in wishing to establish any connection
between Church and State. He has during his
whole term of public service, retained the un-
bounded confidence of his constituents, and been
regularly re elected to the Assembly, with the
most uncommon unanlmlty; until, at the last
general election, he was chosen Lieut. Governor
The able, courteous, and impartial manner, in
! A.
of the Legislature, both as Speaker of the SEN
ate, and as the person representing in that body,
the whole people of the state, was subject of
much commentator, the expression of which,
was by no means confined to his personal or DO
litical friends. 1t was then discovered that he
had not suffered ambition to run ahead of his
talents: and from those who know him best, no
fears are entertained of his want of talent to
perform all the duties of Representative to
Congress, with honor to himself, and advantage
| to his constituents. 1t is true, he has not those
advantages which a classical education would
give to a man of his excellent understanding,
but he supplies the want of it, by the iudicious
Iexertion of vigorous Intellect. No man better
understands the wants and wishes OF the people
lof Illinois. than he does; none can possess more
honesty and Independence of character The
Farmer saws ssour civil and religious liberties de-
pend in great measure for their existence, on
the exclusion from offices, of all who profess to
be clergymen.n Such does not appear to have
been the opinion of the trainers of our constitu-
ton, or that of the United States. In some of
the old states, a just indignation, at having an
hungry and consuming priesthood, sadded upon
them by law caused them to adopt the anti-repub-
lcan feature, in their constitutions, of excluding
all ministers of the gospel, from participation in
l.