New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-26
Reciprocity of Religious Privileges-Letter
from Rev. DR.. Cheever.
To he Editor Of The Yri5uMe:

side and willing TO allow the other party TO speak
and because il gives opportunity 10 call public at
ention to the great subject Of the reciprocity OF re-
Ggious privileges among nations Permit me TO set
Yourself and your readers right in reference 10 my
views. which you have somewhat msinterpreied in
regard to interference for theprotection
ofthe rights of Protestauts. You mistake me en-
,irely, it you draw from my lecture the leas, sane
ton of enforcement by our Government CT the right
of American Protestant Missionaries 20 the enjoy
ment of complete liberation in Catholic (you mean
Roman Cathol!c,) countries. have proposed no
such thing. But hare said that every govern
ment, which admits Romansts on its soil to preach
and 10 teach freely and without moestaion their
religion and their views OF the Gospel of Christ
ought to demand the same privileges for its own
citizens under Romish Governments. II is but an
act of bare justice Why should Romanists have
the privilege every where Of exercising their
worship and preaching their faith, in Protestant
countries and have the privilege az the same time
in their own countries unrcbuked, OF putting down
all Proesan,s, and stopping the mouths OF ali who
preach the Gospel out OF the Romish Church :! Why
should Romansts IN our own country enjoy such
complete freedom OF religion, the most sacred right
OF humanity, and the same right be refused 10 our
native citizens in their countries
The whole tenor OF my lecture, TO which you have
referred, and OF all the lectures in the is TO
in matters of religion towards any sect whatever; 10
put down persecution and TO lncucate and support
the most perfect and entire religious liberty. III l
ever am bitter against the Romansts il is because
of their prosecuting tencts; and always mean 10
be as bitter and severe possible against any and
ALL who would deprive men ot their religious
liberties, who would sustain and sanction religious
intolerance the greatest curse OF despotism ever
inflicted on mankind
| have said therefore, aud do say, that our Govern
ment oueht, out Of justice TO its own citizens, to de-
mand for them in other countries the same religious
privileges which thectZcns OF other countries enjoy
under our Government We should say TO other
Governments, either keep your own citizens on your
own shores, within your own territory or give 10 our
citizens abroad the religious privileges winch yours
enjoy here. You are not bound 10 send your CHI
zens 10 u.s. but if you do send them, remember that
we exact for the sacredhess OF their rel-
gious freedom which yours enjoy among us. say
that such oMgtt be the language OF tins country,
where Romanists enjoy such priceless, and such per
feet freedom to spread their religion. Give TO our
citizens and 10 Protestants abroad, the same privl-
leges. And if you object TO this Mr.. Greeley, you
are not the man of freedom had supposed. lfyou
object to this, you not worthy 10 be called an
American citizen for you sancton intolerance and
persecution, and you do not defend for Americans
the feelings you claim for Romanists.
| propose no force on this subject | reject 1t
utterly. But | say. if all Governments would adopt
this tone, would say to other Governments, Our
intercourse, if maintained at all, mus! be on the
principles of perfect reciprocity OF religious privi-
lcgcs the religious privileges which your citizens
enjoy among ours ours also must ENJOY among yours;
molest any one OF them at your peril; either keep
your subjects at home, or give 10 ours the sane
privileges there shall be no inequality. say II
this languaee were adopted and these principles
practiced there would be longer any thing as
religious persecution. Truth would be tree, ana
men every where would be free TO speak it. There
nf he npy1f
The lips are opened for the advance OF what ought 10
be the irecSt and most untrammeed OF all things
under Heaven Bible Truth. And If the Govern
meut of any country ought 10 protect lis citizens
abroad in any right whatever, II ought TO be this
1t is unworthy OF the name OF good and Tree Gov
erument, if ii dare not DO II.
If any French Romanisl in this country were I'M
prisoned or mareated account OF his religion or
his endeavors 10 spread his religion, we should be
glad to on the instant, bold and unqualified
demand on the part OF the French Government tor
absolute and immediate rcparaton and freedom, al
the peril of war right OF this nature is infinitely
more important and more sacred than the right OF
unmolesied freedom in buying, selling and getting
gain But the age OF vcnaliiy, and not oil hero
ism. Governmehts are ready 10 quarrel about mud
aud metals strips of land and cornstutfs, but dare
not support religious right of humanity. Lord
Aberdeen has said that be cannot protect Dr. kalby,
an Englshman, III Madeira, IN that most sacred oi
human rights, that of teaching the Gospel Lord
Aberdeen and the English Government can protect
The pouRds shilings aud pence OF English citizens,
can compel q; the mouth of the cannon reciprocity
of privileges in the free barter and sale OF stus for
the body but dare not iake the higher, nober nii-
nitely more important attitude OF maintaining Tree
dom in the ulterauce OF religious truth; dare not say
to other governments, We permit your citizens un-
moested to teach and preach among Us, we demand
for every English citizen reciprocity oi the same
privilege-moest Protestant at your peril. Some
thing like this was the voice OF Cromwell, but there
is no such sound nj this day In Europe
Now as 10 vour allegation that am bitter against
the Romanists. When or where have you seen or
heard anything TO justify this accusation! why
will YOU not remember the distinction between men
and systensl Have not always welcomed the
Romanisis 10 the utmost enjoyment OF all the privl-
lcscs of citizens in our country? Do | not defend
their rights on all occasions when speak OF them
Do say syllable against them But endeavor
with all my heart 10 expose the errors OF their sys
tem and especially the wickedness OF the persecut'
ing tenets otther system. But is this 10 be charged
as bitterness against the Romanisis! II II be. as II
often has been charged, as means OF rendering
all inquiry into the nature OF Romanism odious, II
will utterly fail OF lis purpose; for there are those,
and not q few who the more they Of such dis
position, will only feel bound the more perseverng-
" and openly 10 assail system, the existence OF
which puts man in danger Tor closely examining
it. It's open, constant and Tree examination is the
only mode of dispelling this danger and destroying
the odium
Permit me in this connection TO express my admi-
ration of your own remarks on the freedom OF the
Pulpit in reference to Rev. Mr.. Thompsons excel.
lent sermon for Thanksgiving They were uttered
in a noble spirit of liberty which you need only TO
apply to the case of discussions in reference to Ro,
mansm and vou will not again adopt the cant TOR l
cannot help calling it such of those who raise the
outcry of bitterness asains; Romaniss when man
attempts kindly but freely TO deineae their system
GEORGE b. CHEEVER.
~ The Reporter of Dr. Cheevers Lecture submits
that with the exception ofhe distinction set up between
bitterness toward Catholics and bitterness toward Ro-
manisr (Which every body understood well enough be-
fore the accuracy of his report is fully confirmed by the
above letter might easily be shown if the fact were
not sufficiently palpa5le. The Doctor assumes above as
ne did in his lecture that is Protestant Govern
menta mistake entirely fatal TO his main propos!aon-
To dscaim all sanction OF force, and yet in the same
breath urge that Government ought to say TO Cath
oc Governments in behalf of Protestant Missionaries
"molest any of them your peril is simply ridiculous.
But the may well be left without farther remark
to the good Of the O The Tribune.