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


that We are called upon to do, and we viii do what
}. lcannot look at this restriction but MS reie
toh upon this body of persons. WHY are thew to
/ ueu,eo the rights and privileges of other freem'
Il III this commonwealth They bear the ordinary hu
Ae"a VI Tie government the tax gatherer never iai
~ CAL upon them, and hold it to be clearly wrong
illus alsiranchlse them think that We should wiz
uI tls restriction from the constitution of the "O
Dominion"
M. CHAMBL1SS. l trust it vii! be the good pie:
sure VI The committee TO retain that restriction. 1t
iot desgned as reflection upon those whose cabin
"" higher ordeal than the of political strif
: - Is not Reflection upon them to restrict tler
rom engaging in that strife. 1t is rather ccmp
hlent to those holy ministers of the gospel who ,is
serve The esteem and conf ence of tie community
'na' they should not be imposed upon by hvpocrite
VINO might take the CLOAK in order to come int
P"htcal power. We all know the influence whic
Tue ministry have the comnluit. in whic
they reside This restriction was not intended to b
imposed because ministers unpopular but becaus
,Ney We're popular. Suppose YOU remove it som
hyPocrltlcal demugoguc will assume the gown in ordc
~ year The mnntlc Of political fame. This is the Oh
!eGt d tho restraint TO guard the government from
hypuctItcs OF that description. There are bette
lien than the ministers Of the gospel and their duti.
are OF far higher and nober character than the mere
strife OF legislation it is their province guide Il
IN eternal kingdom, and it is end towards which al
Their actions should be directed. They hare no bust
ness IN legislative body Of men whose task it is to ~
INTO the arena of political strife. wish to guard III.
community and the State against hypocritical ministers
o the gospel. who asSIne the cloak in order it
10 get into political life. My friend over the way say:
thai he woul,l not take minste FROM his cungrcat ol
To elect him TO public Office hut why is he not vii
ling to take minister who has charge of a corercsa
ton. and yet is willing to take minister who caalo;
Lt Trusted with congregation Is that his purpose
presume not yet he would not take in charge ri
congregation, and would take one who was not con-
sldere Of sufficient Importance to he trusted with
congregation.
nope this restriction will not be removed L have
great reverence tor the ministry Of all denominations
and it is that respect and reverence which entertain
Tor their holy calling which makes say lead then
not into temptations but deliver them from evil Do
not hold ont temptations IL ministers OF the gospel tt
become political parti-s These the reasons which
VIII induce NE to vote for retaining this restriction
Not. as remarked before for want Of respect 10 the
minister's of the gospel but for and res pee,
Tor them, would not lead them into temptation. 1t
Is oAc among the very few restrictions that would i'm
pose upon the power OF selection. am one Of those
who are III favor ofgiring to the people the power Of
sccc ing from the very largest class vi citizens coInpat
lbc with TIN. public good. but this is ol the few
strctions would desire TO have placed i'll the const-
tuition and hope it will be retained
Mr. ARMSTRONG; | am entirely ut n loss TO know
why minister's could not engage IN the Legislation oil the
Stale without becoming corrupt. 80. nothing in ON
institutions that requires do injustice To him
day If h. desire it-thcrc nothing i'll our institutions
which stands opposed to the principles OF christianity
haze no idea that il minister is elected To the Gen
eral Assembly but he will act With pruprcty, anu
should he do will not be led into temptation nor
that it will in any way, be doing injustice to himself
or his calling. have Intention the gentleman
(Mr CHsMBISs) remarked ut excluding the better part
OF the ministry and taking those who worthy
being Trusted with congregations Ii was not l!y IN
trlItiun, ni, Il the gentleman so Understood me, beg
l.. L. hat
happen that portion oI our best men VINO have Lee'
been engaged the minis;r: for years, without
con- reyatluS from various Causes anI that such mel
w',,u do discrel 10 the State il they were elected
members OF ilc G"ucrai Assembly.
! Mr.. SCOTT, of CAruilne. :s'. 10 submit few re
marks in addition to those which have Just eloquent
Is fallen from my friend MIR CHAHBL.=s, from South
arnptnn in regard to the eligibility Of the officers
the judiciary department oil this government. | have
recently Laen brought to consider il matter ii doubt
:ul propricty and OF clnivoca policy The charaete
If The nudge ~hoGld he pure and SO elevated a, L
sxat him above suspicion ami above rcPruach. II
lould II" removed, IRON the influence and prejudice
,opupular action, that his adiuucaiors should bear tn
,nprrs, oil IN Independence. npatiallty and tInaoyc'
oulv. Ii Ines. char;r cr>tics ornamental To til
iyii,Ial station, how i..ch would they IL c"rus
tanu ann the di>c pie OF the meek and w Stsoc:
Ike should Keep ais garments iice and usp"tto to;
The pollution Of the world Ills robes "f righteous
ness should not bc soe,i b. the Dust and filth Of Part,
;, winch they might be icnpird i" depart from thel
Egh calling and iminlslc in the political -rit. o th
party pritr- OF the ,ny.
r. IL keep and preserve tn" ministry pure and I" ex
tend tie here of their Usefulness, their exclusion from
the l,c Stature of the State by constitutional pr"h!
lion. i. in my Judgment. prudent and wise. Thci
" Kingdom is not "f th, rid. but their cain" Is .
higher and holirr character. 1hcy deal rather witt
the hearts Of nicu with their conscience. and with the
NJ .rul feelings than with their outward action. The!
seek "a nfr the fountain that the stream may he pure
to cultivate til" spiritual that the natural may h
upright holy and wise. This, sir Is their high vocation
;. Ihl- i the solemn ordination vow winch the hay
made 10 tha church and to God. Let not the linta
,. in the legislative report be stricken ont, hli IL
i remain there memorial to the purity 81 5ospc
ministry
NJ opposition, therefore, TO the amendment oitrrc
B." ~ nv most excellent friend OR ARMSTRONG pre-
cceds from no apprehension that hey would not max
wise, virtuous and able statesmen. Men po=sessIii
4cr purity Of purpose their di.ntcrestedncss OF az
i on and their universal philanthropy. would be ell
Gent for good in whatever position of life they might
placed l,ut these ministers are like other men The
are surrounded by the raitcs. weaknesses and inlptr
: f.ctnns common to our common humanity. ihcy ar
liable to temptation, and mag he Its vlcti"'S. NJ
then clectinrcering be purified. and the halls
legislation purged ofthcir corruption and their democrat
-;,.- Influence would say dead them not into temp
: t.ton but deliver them from evil.
5 I hone. sir the amendment offered by my mos
! eli crished friend Will he 'ftcd doWn ann inc ih!E'e'
;t 70 labor on in their work Of love and charity.
] Mr. SMITH, of Jackson Like other gentlemen.
with to Announce the fact in advance that Il" NJ
rise 10 make speech my simple object being TO ASH
D briefly some of the reasons which shall niGencc ~
control ms vote upon this proposition. Ny position
known on this floor TO be literally opposed TO all -
s,rctinns upon the people. any pnrt OF them rs "
Ing only calculated create distinctions in society
tablis privileged crs destroy equality and cIrc'1
: scribe the number Of those from whom the people m
choose their agents bn, upon the proprcty Of EeneT
restrictions ave M views ncre at large 10 tue &c:
. mttee and having produced no good result nave .
termued not to pursue the general train airy iGthe
t merely to content myself with pointing out nIa!ni
in the particular case nj objection. Bit II conciirrt
with gentleman rhc opposite side upon the PFoP!,
~ and necessity Of making some example 'i our Il
{ feeling and enmitv, do think. that Tie very M
: viz. ina should have been willing to sn'r:hce ape
: this alter would have been the proclalmer. OF peace ~
: omd will TO man. The who have don" most
eranc. civilization morality. and good goTefhWei
would certainly have been tho last men IN the "or
: a should have been willing to single out LOT ~
considerations or thought it prudent TO maze au atth'
nnon In oilen times they cried out "crueiS MN. 'f
ciry him" in modern times. not quite $" BOLD o"t a.
s;,rng the same end they prescribe him. PF"-'ri'
, him but an unwilling aid in the drgran,t'oh. 7
the aine thing to nv mind declaring fnem Tue con
;, mon privilercs of citizens without some reason 10
4 lntr .,ryt