Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-15

he different denominations are sufficient check upon
each ether and the world is check upon all. Now,
what eTii can minister of the gospel in your legss
tion inct upon the States And how are the robes OF
his office any more aoed By being draggled in the nirs
the gentleman says. BY coming here and taking part
n tie formation Of the laws Of the State, than br
permitted to vote and eectioneer at home II be
ali powerful as my friend over the way SAYS cannot
he moi do rs much mischief BY supporting OF the polls
and encouraging his congregation support any partc-
glar individual If religion makes men better in private
ie see reason why it should disqualify them for
proper service in the arena of legislation see
on FOR adherng to old preudces when the cause for
uch prejudices has passed away and therefore shall
:ote nth my friend over the way for doing away with
hese restrictions unless some better reason is given for
hem 'han have yet heard. =. ,'i~ +. =.
Dir NcCAMANT. Irse to express my decided hsap>
profAt ion OF this proposed anrndmen Il is the very
last one expected u zee brought forward in this Con-
veut;on Indeed could not We'll believe at this day
ana At this time-when there SO many false teach
abroad in the and-so teaching who above all
thers, in my opinion, ought TO he taught themseres
that my gentleman upon this floor could seriously en-
tstan the opinion that it was either wise or polite
strike of the present constitution that provision
which excludes this class of persons. There is opn
ION have ever entertained in my life, about which
nave no! doubt, than have OF the propriey Of
xclu NJ ministers OF the gospel from welding political
power warn you and the members of this committee
hat the very moment YOU admit this class of persons
seats in Your legislative halls II IS lpso tacto union
ol church and state and take il that the people If
this commonwealth not yet ripe for such an union
that. The habits studies md duties Of minister Of the
gospel inf, him for politics regard the duties Of
preacher OF the gospel and those of politician as
erlv incompatible with each other As my friend from
Arcumac Mr. WIsEl says, "one is the devils work and
the other is Gods work maintain that no preacher
of the gospel the Of politics without be-
ing i.ed and disqualified for dscharging the high and
sacred duties which he has taken upon himself to dis
charge and for which he render account to the
God who made him. rather than to his constituents at
home BIZ. it may be said might safely trust those
preachers al the g"sp" who possess high attachments
and are men OF unaffected peiy. Are there any gentle
men within the sound Of my voice who believe, that
men Of that character BIZ persuaded to enter the
legislative halls of your State No sir they would not
here rs my friend from Caroline MI ScoTf) has
well said they would not suffer themselves to be led in
10 temptation They would shy 10 YOU and Justly too
:. lead Us not into temptation" What will be the re-
suit if those Of the highest atsnmens aud unaffected
picty would not come here The result would be- that
sou would open the door 10 the vicious the hypoctes
the wolves in sleeps clothing. while YOU would exclude
and keep out all those Of the better class, the truly
pous ,l- WORTHY and the godly il has been truly said
that rnun,r"- SO badly governed those ruled
ly the counss- OF women. But would always savo
and except those ruled and governed By the counse's Of
priests ! anl afraid Of them, must confess in our
legislative halls But keep them in their proper place.
and there j. no danger. One word more I venture to
predict although am no prophet Of prophet"
the Very moment YOU open the door Tor pr acer Of the
gospel seats upon the floor Of your Legislature, that
il will not be MANY before YOU will have large
numb err If not majority OF them in both branches Of
ia. legislature Then the contest will not be between
whgs and democrats, but between Presbvterians and
aptists uptists and Epscopalians EpiscopaIans and
Meihndsts Methodists and Aormons and at last per-
hans between the Alornons and the Spiritual Knockers
I Laughter
Mr. COOKE The gentleman says the contest will be
between Pre4byterans Methodiss Baptiss and Episco
palisr- and that in few years il opened the doors
We might have majority of ministers of the gospel in
the assembly BIT ask il that will be the where
there five workings TO every member of the church.
and ii they would not up their and elect them
in the case Of such Il contest !?
Mr. McCAMANT. There are great May countis.
in hi. State that divided near, equally between
two or tn &c different denominations. where every
belonging t. each particular denomination would roto
or til preacher Of his particular faith, and il that
preachers oy would be elected seats in the genera's
scmiy have ouly to add that all my convictions oi
pulls duty and Of wise poic:, forbid me from voting
iur this amendment a .i..
Mr.. FERGUSON have not the slightest idea that
this amendment will be adopted Still il is my duty 10
say word IN regard 70 it, growing ONT Of the pledge
gave 10 portion Of my constituents upon this very
question The argument that is to kill Oft every tung
like substantial reform in this Convention, according to
my opinion will destroy this and that is it has been
g? a,u therefore no change Shall be made tel gen
tlenen his Is 10 be very potent argument against all
change here This question was agitated III orc OF the
couri;es which have the honor III part TO represent
Persons in the church and oct Of the church, and oil per-
sons whce attention drawn 10 tins conquered
in the propriety Of removing this restriction upon min
i>rcr- Of the gospel. gave pledge to these persons
that would for such proposition, because my
own opinion co;:lcidcd with their Now, wish to
hear some better reason from gentlemen against this
rropo.itcn thn the iact that il always has been
60 wish 10 know what c:i is TO result to the legsla
,cn Of The State from the admission OF ministers OF the
pop.,, into the Councils %! the State: Gentlemen talk
abu,i an union uf church and STATE" That prohibited
bv l. constitutions and how is To be brought abou
Nv ran very we'll see why this Inhibition was ncor.
pora,i into the old constitution beraase at that time
ther. VA. an Union between church and state The
erl,y had ruled this COLONY with rod OF iron,
ard the people Were made 10 feel Tie exacticEs Of
IN. Established church Of that day. \ general pre-
;:d;,, was engendrred against tie church. and tb"
pcnnl, were determined TO protect themselves against
IT'S cN;.rlions in future" Since that time reruoli-
can government has been formed both state anu ma
inua and The theorY q; that government IS that the
br,l and the state Shall not he united Not only so,
IN, u privilege. can h. conferred upon one particular
Denomination and above another The freedom OF
s,cch and religious opinion has been preserved anu toll
Grated hy our theory and form OF governmenl-oy tho
constitution Of this State and the United States
No srch evil can now be visited upon this common.
wealth ~ an union OF church and state have heard
gentlemen suggest, il yon permit Minister'S oil tho eos
pcl to take in the general assembly they wiii IN
crease the grnpTlg powers OF TIC chciies oy Tue ae
cunn!aton Of property. If gentlemen desire to pro-
vide against that thing, all they have TO do and all they
ought To do. in my Judgment. nder the clrcumstaaces'
i. IN limit the power OF acquisition on the part OF the
churches Churches may now acquire property as much
a. they please If the general assembly will permit It,
Tie general assembly hive from time to time permitted
church,. TO hold and acquire property to an unlimited
eytcp, and if you desire 10 prevent this power from be-
i'm extended NIL you have got to do IS to put such
Ia, alton in your constitution, whether you admit MN
;t,ra into the halls OF legislation or not Ny friend
xnn, a. ayson (Alr. McCANANrl seems 10 thing II you
a,',ya hi. restriction from ministers OF the gospel
Sat Won will have majority III both branches OF thc
ysuersl assembly
Nv FERGUSON. Ny friend was understood TO say
:ar,,, majority That seems now to be appealing 10
-, ;nra,est, ii the members Of the Convention we
r.,n;, ministers to hs eligible to seats IN the general
ps..nb perchance they may succeed over some Oh US
in rbe canvass before the people, am willing as far
am concerned, to take my chances Of p,lncal pre-
fsrnent With any minister. am not afraid OF the
.,rear nover Of these gentlemen Gentlemen say that
ynu lain the gown Of the minister BY permitting nm
70 ORACLE it in party politics Why in the celebrated
camnaign in which "Tippecanoe and Tyler too was
be country was Travelled over in the section
- i've hv ministers, and day after day the people
! f,S,nS