Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-01-07
Toihe GeuertI Assemble Of Virginia 2 z

foMf UcHcruf AsScWOiy OF tugtntd..- .
The peuuop Of The clergy and lsiiy Of tho Protestant
EpscopSl church, bumbly sheweih that in common With
all other chriAian denomination. In the
they suffer manifold snd injuries for the
adequate prosi-on ~ law 20 epable them bold and
n property For the want OF it, they arc una TO mo-
vide ~ becoming way ff the pedormsncs OF many Of
their dq'ies IN which the Community Is
Ne The law b. nov. administered, christian denoInna
uon iscapabe Of taking and hodng property OF the small
amount They neither take what given nor nc
q"ifc by purchase T,sumentaiy bequess their behalf
and all other doosions oheld 10 be void; and any le
mudicom OF which they may be possesSed . Of tho mercy
OF the wrongdoer In sbott they declared IN
known to the laws aud oi justice shut
them. 7..... s.I... ar e ga ... .-.- l
Your petitioners huby enquire why should tl.ey be thus
disabled and disiranehsedf A christian
might expected sympa'bse with il sees OF ptf,ng
christians, and be Wiling TO grant innocent immunity
deemed subsidiary TO religion Whsieyer 10 subsidiary Ia
religion Tor that essential the veal
tcannot be objected that the settled policy ~ the
iorbds the giant at chartered rgh to private a-.cnons
Such grants have been far and indScrin-
nate 10 admit Of ih,t objection. Indeed your psuuon.s
might complain that whilst oil othet s9rapns for public
pupofes md sometimes for obIecs which the publ had
CONCERN have resdy obtained the protection which they
sought, IN the enocment Ul special sstuos exception
has been made only OF them. IL Is natural they shobldbe
mortified by The Distinction and they pray you enquire
whether 1t be insdious and unusnSy more whether
becomes the government ci christian state deny
associations, aiming at the diffusion Of religion iumunes
freely accorded to associations behalf and
secular concerni IL IL npprchendrd that tho privilege OF
holding property, would lead acquisitions large
limit their acquisitions snd impose all other restrictions
which may be thought advisable against unduo
'ton% diesy do not snd never have desired than
competency to cary forward their plans benoccnce and
genefai philanthropy. For themselves they are satisfied
toe apprehension Is deusive; aud really exists
IS founded on the OF assmaring tue present with
former ages. with which is broadly and essentially dis
similar, With the unlimited liberation which happily pre-
walls In our country and the multitude OF christian denom
nations Is Idle 10 fear the ct abuses which
hsu tner origin IN the superstition and seryy Of times
lung gone by. But whatever due the apprehension
none can question that your honorable body may mould
the immunity rs TO render II impoteni ior mwchef, and
efectua only for good In human affairs no, admis
bic TO ofeeo certain and immediate benefit for OF
remote and contingent evil; still less may neglect our
duties from an Idle dread that they may be
mischief. ="
The immunity which is asked is no, novelty in the
legislation OF country Most of our sister states as e
naeous MS our own of whatever the public long
SINCE invested christian societies with corporate rights
why should our commonwealth dissent from the geneta
concnrnng voice IN matter OF SO deep aud solemn
Germ lne code OF christian people should exhibit evil
dence OF their reference for religion, Yet looking
TO the course OF Legislature hitherto it would seem as II
II were Thought that religion would flourish most for the
laws neglect True, its diffusion does depend exclu-
slNey on human adi nor u II in danger OF declining
the indifference and neglect OF the public authorities IL
also uue mat without corporate rights there will be
preachers and growing church. But because this So
the DUTY not the less solemn aud impressive act
ia respect TO religion, should other cases. when
we. would manifest our good wall to public cause The
duty OF rendering to God the things which are his is r.
cumbent upon commonwealths less than on adividu-
ais, and Its neglect exposes the no less than the
other 10 fearful retributop. What is more becon,
ing OF the government Of moral aud religious people than
TO marx its sense OF religion by appropriate enactmens
designed 10 help the pous their sacred
and which extend like protection TO all The effect OF
such legislation could not be phersiyr than au,pions
mentally and morally. Religious schools would grow up
under iis fostering influence, with learned professors cx
Tended banes and all the aids o. sound learning and pure
morality. ClergYmen might be expected TO come forth
from their haio"ed pr6cincts IN numbers corresponding
the wants OF the community and with atainmsnts beer
suited TO their high aud sacred Office. The churches in
various plans ut beneyOlence would be encouraped md
might be expected TO be efficient Men would be
willing 10 give more literally, their piou, contribu
nons placed under the protection OF law, and declared
violate AT present. they discouraged by the rs of
their contributions being diyeted from ubsc OF their
appointment, or lost through irresponsible agents.
has not unirequenuy happened that donations 70 rei.
gous schools and other pous objects failed and been
lost because no one capable Of taking administer
Ing the fund There have been of scandal ar
sing from the defect in our laws FInds devoted To char
liable uses and which for time had been applied IS the
oono directed, had fallen into unworthy hands, and
cause might be done with IMMUNITY have withheld
or wasted These are cases which oil god must dc
ploe, and desire 10 prevent. Yet there i. no remedy for
iaem except ~ legal enacments, which shall recognize
TIE charity aud surround II with the sanctions OF law
Religious education lies the bottom all true social
me"rai'vn fVatc donations that Otjrct as wei tor
The from which they proceed their ne TO toe
community, deserve thankful RECEIPT on; and any gov
eminent must be disposed rather encourage Than 10 die
conntenanee them. Keg semnaries are not the less
uselul Ia encouraging sound learning bee they derive
their motives aud sanctions from Rhsr than human sour
oes, and the policy winch creates a distinction sweeo
these add Other literary institutions may be quest,red as
po'h unjust and imPolhc. The lauer have been ecog
nzed as legal entiues made capable TO take
ana can hardy be objected that regious schools are no
sIuay worthy Of the states regard
l4opured tor series OF years school of vnity
winch should combine the advantages favourable To sound
ana emLeat auainmens They suffer yet, they have
IRON the beginning, from the painful exclusion Of such
uhu'raknss Itop the sympathy OF the law aad they
cannot hope to place their institution upon secure and
permanent lo"ung, 40 Interesting society aud the
church, until IL snail please yUn TO acknowledge tts IL
gai existence Were its humble acquisitions rendered
secure aud invioaie by the cognzance OF law its nat
r'ns and luends would look forward with renewed con.
hdence TO its nceasing usefulness Your petiiinner,
are aware that they might have avoided certain prcud
ees by bestowlng their INSTITUTION name less eSpre
sNe OF ts true design but they could not sacrifice cando
10 policy; nor 80 lar idea thatt was INN
deious ~ the state TO recognize schools Instituted
Tor religious instruction. They the claims of their
theological seminary TO the humble privilege Of taking and
| holding property.
Again, the duty Of religious conpreyations 4, sn,-
port their clergy, and provide suitable buildings for publ
worship They compelled To- enter into contacts and
employ agents; TO raise money, and though the sum be
small TO appoint tetecp IT, IL Is obyionsly
important that they should have rights a body to an
peal To the Laws for the protection Of their common inter
ests Destitute Z" this humble privilege, they constant
" exposed 10 wrongs. which upon them without
| injury 10 the general public
Taco, too, there benevolent funds WHICH neigiop,
Gommunies feel themselves constrained raise for objects
1eemed ny tem 10 be OF peculiarly inter sting tlas
our petitioners have long nbUred such fInd the
design and purpose of which Indicated 10y s name
lbey mean the fund for the relief OF widows and orphan.
Oldcccased clegymen" The effort 10 and preserve
fund so bengny dedicated, but commend itself %
the siernes Jhdgemc rs eSpeden with reference to tho
state would be extraordinary what good men could
not omit with clean conscience was forbidden by rea-
sons Of state Peey Theiness aud propney Of some c-
g'otVe onactneut recognizing such fund and extending
To the sanction Of law would uppcdrto BE- uigues
Die your petitioners seek only the advancement those
ends which duse the blessings Of good government NOT
do they ask Tor themselves any privilege or immunity
winch they do not desire TO extended brethren OF
all other denominations twoud offend no less against their
own sense o what's right and proper than the prn.
ciPes OF our institutions, TO botow any religious de-
nomination privileges which made free and upcn
to a Their humble prayer r., that iudscnninatc indif-
oIcncn nnl ncEccl may DO cLchanraL l.. 1urr d..