The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-06-27

been an inhabtant OF this State, shall nave an
estate within the district which he may be chosen
TO represent of the value of one hundred pounds,
one- half of which to be freehold"
1t contains further provision that the repre-
sentative shall be of the PROTESTANT RELIGION.
The Goth section of the constitution contains
the following provision
provided, nevertheless. that no person shall
be capable of being elected Senator who is not
of the PROTESTANT RELIGION, and seized of a free
hold estate, in his own right, of the value of t,oo
hundred POUNDS Icing within this State"
In the AID section of the constitution is this
provision:
s'And no person shall be eligible to this office
(Governor) unless, at the time of his election he
shall have been an inhabitant of this State for
seven years next preceding, and unless he shall
be OF the age OF thirty years and unless he shall,
at the same time, have an estate of the value of
fue hundred pounds, one half of which shall con-
sst OF freehold, in his own right, within this
State; and unless he shall be of the PROTESTANT
RELIGION"
Here, then, in Locofoco New Hampshire Cath
olics, whose religious liberty Amos KENDALL
is SO anxious to protect from the danger that
threatens it, are excluded from office Religious
liberty is indeed in danger it has not only been
invaded but is trodden under foot in the :" Gibral-
/
another provision in the constitution which rem.
ders it improbable that this abridgement of free
dom and equality will ever be removed. Here
it is:
"No alteration shall be made in this consttu-
ton before the same shall be laid before the
towns and incorporated places. and approved by
TWo-THIRDs OF the QUALIFIED VOTERS present,
and voting on the subject"
Two-thirds of the qualified voters, then, must
be present and vote for the alteration before it
can be made. The rights and power of majorities
are repudated in New Hampshire, and the taDo-
thirds rule is in full and practical effect. No
doubt Col. JAMES X. Polk has the highest regard
for the Democracy of New HAMPSHIRE, and why
should he not? Their constitution only reflects
the principle Of Mr.. VAN BUREN's downfall and
his elevation. And worst of all, is the fact that
this restraint upon conscience has its apologsts
and defenders. We have before us the LOWELL
PATRIOT of October r. 1912. In an article under
the caption of the Courier and New Hamp-
shire that print uses the following language:
"An honest man, in naming these defects, would
have said further. that these are such defects
the people of that State are seldom called to
tce, there being comparatively fen TO arhom these
exceptions apply. He might too, say, that the
reason these defects have not been before RENE
died, while the democracy had the power, is that
the democracy are exceedingly averse to altering
thing they deem SO sacred as The Constitution
that they are not easily induced TO alter SO i'm
portant an instrument, and that it is only after
maturely celebrating on the subject, that they
can be led to do so !"
What, is this the language of freedom-is this
the spiri: of democracy? Is religious test, such
defect in their written Constitution, as the peo-
pie should not notice, because few feel the OPP
preston? Is constitution so sacred, that it is
not to be altered-no matter what injustice it
works-no matter what wrong it iniicts on the |
rights of the governed. Why then have the test
acts of NORTH CAROLINA and New JERSEY, both |
of them Wing States, been repealed tests disa-
bling TO the same extent the same class of people ?
Will the modern democracy, will Amos KENDALL,
will those who cry out religious liberty in danger,
explain these things? Will they speak out fully
and frankly on this subject? But here is an ex-
tract from the columns of the Troy PRESS, writ
ten some years ago, by VIM. YATES, Locofoco
of the Amos KENDALL stamp, which we recon-
mend to the attention of all, who have read his
most admirable tract, as we doubt not, his party
regard it. 1t is in these words:
The children of 6igotted Catholic Ireland
like the FROGS TIA r. WE'RE SENT AS
A PLAGUE against Pharaoh have come into
our homes, bed chambers, ovens, and kneading
troughs. Unlike the Swedes, the Germans, the
Scots and the English, the Irish when they ar
rive among U.s. 100 IDLE ana VlClOUIS TO clear
and cultivate land, dump themselves down in our
large villages and towns crowding the meaner
sort of tenements, and filling them with wretch
edness, filth, and disease. In political point
of view, what are they but mere MARIETTA
BILE CATTLE ?"
Catholics and foreigners are mere marketable
cattle, with the Locofocos, we suppose, else AMOS
KENDALL and his coadjutors would not thus at
tempt to excite their religious prejudces, and
place them in opposition to Wing principles and
Wing politicians. Another evidence that reli-
gious liberty is in danger, is that even in Catho.
lie Maryland, Mr.. KEY, of ST. Mary's was thrust
aside as candidate for Governor, on account of
the religion of his family, some of whom are Ca
tholics. Yes we proclaim it as fact, which
cannot be truhfully denied, that religious consi-
deratioDs were urged in the Locofoco Convention,
and that Mr.. CARROLL was nominated in prefer
ence to Mr.. KEY, because the latter gentleman
was in alliance with Catholicty.
And yet, the Locofocos clamor about equal
rights, and preach liberation in matters of religion.
Acts speak louder than words, gentlemen; and
Lone ,,,,to, -, o.