Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-09
Church and State,

This will soon be the great question in Great Britain
Everything preparing the way for it. Men in all-
thouy and doing what they to stop its dis
cussion. In vain The ject is down in the hearts
of the people, and it will out Of their mouths, us sure
as they live.
! One side says, 'et us have more agitation. We
have had enough of it; too much already" The other
replies, "where is the harm? We have the truth, and
must defend and difuse it."
Hear one Of the able dissenting champions
| "Agitation! Why do men start at the word as tho
it necessarily involved proceedings inconsistent with
the claims and duties Of good citizenship? What more
docs it amount to than an attempt to awaken public
attention to some momentous truth? What is it but
the natural and laudabe effort ofone mind to ranslse
into the minds of others its impressions and feel
lngs? Is there anything dlscredtable Jealous and
systematic labor to dlsslpate ignorance to explode fall
lacles, to unravel sophsries by which the judgments
of men are perverted, and to place truth 1.-THE full sun
light oreason that all men may gaze at it, and gaz-
ing may admire? Or why should the agitation of the
voluntary question be alone associated with reproach
and disgrace? On all other TOPICS save perhaps the
political rights of the people, men are not wont to
shrink from the public exhibition of their principles.
Why must they be silent upon the awful and almost
incalcuabe evils resulting from church and State al
lance? What good reason can they assign to them
Selves to the public, for Withholding from cause so
nearly identified with spiritual christianity, the benefit
of their talent learning, eoquence and zeal Queries
like these cannot be easily answered; and greatly
should we rejoice if hereafter, no occasion should exist
to prompt observing men to put them"
Individual effort is declared to be inadequate Iso-
lated and snglehanded endeavors will not impress So
ciety. call is made therefore, for a systematic and
general uprising. Simultaneously, in every district in
the kingdom, it is said the subject should be brought
forward at stated intervals that the may show
Itself to be that of body, and not merely that of ndi-
viduo members of it. "Act thus, and the victory is
Won"
And it is held that the subject must be taken up
"wh deep sincerity Of feeling and the utmost integrity
of purpose, must be used, not weapon welded for
the attainment temporary ends and then replaced in
its scabbard, but as foundation stone upon which may
be reared an edice consecrated to religious liberty
Dissenters must enter upon this course of agitation
not as temporary expectancy, but as religious duty
Calmly gravey without bitterness, and IN rmness Of
determination they must proceed the work, that
allotted to them by the station which they hold and
the principles which they profess They must be con-
tent to look present sacrifices of reputation and nfu-
ence in the face. They must begin in the spirit of
men to whom success is less matter of desire than
consistency OF character and integrity of conduct
They must weigh the value of truth rather than cac-
late probabilitiesmust take clear and comprenen-
sive view of the work to be done, and then go forth
with the invincble resolution of doing it. Any other
course will issue in disappointment and sense of deg
radiation. This course will tell in every important
sense in their favor"
This is good advice, and sound philosophy Sup
pose antisavery men, without fear or anxiety, should
act in this spirtwhat might they not do and be? Why
they might be the layers of the foundation stone upon
which will be reared an edfce consected to religious
liberty They would be, now and evermore, the hon
ored of the earth Who will start the work? Who
rouse simultaneous move in the spirit nculcated a
bove ?--L Louisville Examiner