The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-29

10 TAX Tor repairs, ana nave now u
nally granted to large number the
power of a compulsutory collection of
taxes upon pews for the support Of a
minister. Our venerable forefathers
would have repeled even .he idea of
ever granting such extensive powers
which though they may consist with the
letter, are yet repuguant to the spirit of
the act from which we have just quoted.
This act will forever remain a monument
of the wisdom aud prudence of our an
cestors as well as of II spirit of federation
and charity, far in advance of their age.
And the more your Committee have
considered this subject, the more they
are convinced that iihe only prudent
course is a recurrence to first principles,
to retrace our steps as the past, and he
more cautious in future.
Your committee wish in the outset, to
disclaim aid hostility to real religion.
They believe that no man feels more
deep aud sincere respect for 1t than they
do. And while they admire the moral
charactar which it is calculated to form
iin the individuals who are under its in
fluence, they cannot as legislators, lose
sight Of its immense importance to the
world in an intellectual and political
point of view. And in the opinion of
your committee, the strongest possible
evidence of the intrinsic power and eff
cacy of any doctrines to produce good
is to be found in the christian doctrines,
and i, is thus that, Notwithstanding those
calling themselves the friends of christi
anity have done more to obscure its
brightness, and Injure its success, by
their own bigo,ed prejudices and want
of charity, than all the hosts of its enc
mics could ever do by fire, or sword, or
argument, the religion has still prevailed
ana mas Ueen Eu iusIuu,e"s Ur i"~"ivu-
liable benefit TO mankind.
The effect Of the wisdom of our fore
fathers was to keep religion as distinct
ms possible from law and all temporal
affairs to make it what it oug't to be, a
spiritual concern and we are far from
being convinced that the protection
which rolg on has of late years received
from the Legislature has been of my
advantage to Tho moral character OF
political security of our citizens The
+ truly religious citizens and the faithful
minister, deserve our unqualified respect
but these classes seldom want our legis
Ia,ye aid. They can ge, along without
liz: and when religion, by the conduct
, of its professor, is reduced to so low an
i, Gibbs as to need the shield Of the law
e for its protection, for that very reason
I il ought not to have it. Power in theil
D hands would be dangerous.
Those who have argued IN favor o
n unling church and state, and establish
r ing religion by law, have gone on th'
:, GROUND of its being matter OF policy
i tending the preservation ot good orde
= in the community. But your committe'
e are of opinion that it is not Ian religion
- in which we are 10 look for this or an,
= other good effect. The prevalence o
morality is indispensable !ogeneral hap
!. piness, AVID we need not go great wa,
). from home to make the discovery, tha
lap religion and morality are two yer.
: different things. An attempt 10 max
: religion a political engine. contrary T.
$ the express design of its founder, caDno
IS be expected to end in any good.
e On reading the annexed list Of relig
+. ious corporations, it will be observed
n ,ha, they canno, be reduced to any ger
q eraI classes. Some of the charters cor
m tain no limit whatever to the power
t hold property some have ProvIs'o
I. 10 empower to tax for repairs, and som
n power to tax the pews for the suppo'
IN ofa minister. This power 1t is believe
r, was never granted until of late year
~ I, ought to be mentioned that in aImo
- all the cases where the society ha'
or power to tax the pews, they have pow'
c. to advertise and sell the pows OF tho'