Blue hens chicken & Delaware Democratic Whig. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1845-1848, 1847-03-05

fore certainly entitled to the common privileges
conferred by common and equal citizenship
To have denied to them what has ever been SO
freely granted to others, would have been VI
olation of those principles OF equality and IN
consistent with that spirit OF religious tolen-
ton on which our republican institutions arc
based, and which are essential to their preser-
walton. Nav more il would have been an in-
fraction of one of the fundamental articles OF our
State Constiiuiion-the paramount law to which
as Legislators, we have sworn obedience. Inc
Constitution recognizes and secures 70 all men
the right of worshippng and serving Their Gre
ator according tt the dictates OF their own con-
sciences, and forbids any preference to be given
by law to any religious societies, denominations
or modes of worship. The freedom oil religious
sentiments here contemplated, carries to all per
suasions alike, the right TO educate their chill
dren in their own faith, and entities each to the
same facilities for this purpose which are en-
oyed by any other. To withhold this is IN
effect, an abrdgement Of the rights oil con-
science, and preference Of one religion above
another. The committee are aware mat the
Catholic church is charged with intoxicating
principles hostile 10 republican institutions, and
dangerous 20 the liberties OF the country In
regard to this charge the committee consider,
that il true, it is a reason why their religion
should not be protected by the Constitution, put
inasmuch as its free exercise is guaranteed by
that instrument, the Legislature cannot deny 10
its adherents the common rights OF cluzens'-
Besides, without undertaking to decide upon
the peculiar doctrines of that religion, the COM
mittee are satisfied with the fact that through
out the whole of our national existence as eyl-
denced by our national history, Catholic clu-
zens have evinced no want of attachment TO
Republican principles, or of devotion to the IN
terests of the country. In granting charter TO
Saint Mary's College, it was also matter oil
! no small consideration with the Legislature,
that it was prayed by the petition Of fespecta-
bile, enlightened and influential citizens Of Will
mington and its vicinity, many of whom arc OF
the Protestant faith, leading members OF Pro-
ltesant churches. and supported in their applca-
ton by the sanction of Two distinguished Pro-
tesant divines. A portion also of the Board OF
: Trustee invested with the management OF the
college are Proteshnts, and it is an additional
reconsideration with the committee in reviow-
ling the prOprety OF the charter, that from the
large population of New Castle county, among
4 whom St. Mary's College is located, not sim
gle remonstrance has been presented,
: Inayowing the opinions expressed in this re-
port, the committee earnestly protestagainst be-
: ling misunderstood. We, ourselves, are not fa-
yorable to the Catholic religion; we deprecate
y what we believe to be its errors, and are ready,
!, by proper means, consistent with the spirit of
our free Institutions, to resist any undue inilu-
: ence it can acquire in our country.
. In the conclusion TO which we have arrived
. in considering the memorials referred to us, we
have conceded to a portion Of our fellow-citl-
:. zens what we deem 10 be sacred and inviolable
: rights, and in so doing, we have subjected our
. own feelings and preludices to the superior dc
tates of justice, of republican principles and the
y Constitution. THOMAS LOCKWOOD,
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