The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-13
General Pierce and the Religious Test In New
Hampshire.


AS we promised yesterday. We now give the record
in full this subject We copy it from The Official re-
port Of the proceedings Of the New Hampshire constu
lona convention Published at The time OF lis session
il The "Daiy Patdot OF November H. 1885, and sub
sequeniIy in the "New Hampshire Patiot' OF April "a.
1851.
Our readers will observe the strong and conclusive OPP
position both Of General Pierce and Jadge Woodbury. TO
the test clause in questions and they will see that Gen
eral Pierce dsnounces il ga stigma on the pages of
the constitution They will also perceive the pertina.
cious support OF the obnoxious clause by Mr. Chamber
ain the wing leader in the convention and their candi-
date for governor But it is gratifying 10 know that Mr.
Chamberlain voted down. and the obnoxious clause
upon the agumen, OF General Pierce aud Judge Wood
bury, by large majority, struck out Of the constitution
From "Day Patriot' of November IA, 1850
COMMITTEE or THE WHOLE
On motion OF Mr.. Parker. of Nashua, the convention
resolved Itself into The Committee OF The Whole on the
report oil The Committee on Property Qualifications and
Religious Tests, (Mr Sawyer Of Nashua, in The chair
religious tcsts-The first resolution. striking out all
religious tests, was taken up.
Judge WOODBURY. made the following remarks
Mr., CHAIRMAN Being opposed to the test, that some
OF our principal Offices shall not be filed except BY per
sons oil the Protestant religion, ask leave 10 offer few
for it. do il quite as much to vndca,e our
fathers in part for inserting il myself for resisting it.
Constitutions It's conceded ought to be durable instr
mens being the great fundamental laws passed By the
people and lasting al times ours has, without shadow
OF change for half century; yet am willing. when
provision like this becomes hostile 10 the tolerant spirit
Of the age and enlightened public opinion, 10
punge II at once from our system OF government. do
this, too, the readily the present moment in
der % present another Illustration 10 the world how ca
silly laws and constiiu ons, where objectionable
be changed and rechanged in this free country without
resort 10 violence and 10 measures reasonable TO public
liberty and the safely ais well as best interest OF our
q
pott. am neither deisiic nor nnoyatng rashly.
Ona little examination il will he lonnd that this test
crept into The constitution originally under temporary
impulse, and without having any influence the affairs
OF the State practically as They thea stood. This is the
vindcation OF our fathers.
Tradition says--aDd probably had il in early life from
the venerable parent OF the member from Epping, Mr..
Puinerthat parent, the Nestor OF the politicians OF that
generation and sole survivor OF the convention oil l79I-
that the provision was inserted in 1854 to repel taunis
which had been flung out BY some after the French a
ance, that there To be alliance also with the
French religion and the establishment OF il here The
provision ie then sll-bornso few Catholics existed IN
the State But in 1871 the Improperly OF retaining il
principle became so manifest that after one two incl
ectual efos, the convention voted 10 erase it, and ma
lority OF the people Concurred with them yet being
quite two-lhds the provision remained though against
the viii OF decided majority,
The principle OF the test was then, odous that,
rs Catholics increased since in the State, from
handful as then, another convention would, | think,
long ere this have been called for expungng this alone
had they become numerous, or bad the test been much
more than brtun, fuimsa, or used practically 10 OPP
press them Ii any soreness against Catholic prosecutions
OF the Purtans abroad mingled with this and rendered
preudces stronger with some against erasng the test,
they ought for more recent persecution BY aud and the
Episcopalans IN England, TO have excluded them also
But was night to.excnde neither. Now, under
suspicious circumstances, have, and trust will, i'm
prove the opportunity to do justice ALL There is
no dread OF French influence French religion. The
rights OF all Christians, at least TO equal freedom and
power IN our system Of government, have become pac
teal question, and should OF course be settled broad,
enlightened, and humane principles Fifty years, with
their discusions and researches and experiments have
poured flood OF light over the nature OF liberty of
conscience and all It's great safeguards Let u.s. them do
what our fathers themselves would, if now living under
os d ae Sdsh ssGaad under republican pnc
pes OF government By them constitutions and laws
made more protect ghts than TO confer them They
made for protecting liberty, equality conscience,
property aud life rather than TO give most OF these, or 10
establish any particular sci OF religious opinions This
ia that religion Is minor concern, and not IN some
view the greatest for immortal being but rather that
religion is concern between God and man. ami seldom
10 be n,erlered with ny governments Sgch moieranl
interference has caused OF blood to ow and mil
lions perish at The stake and was OF the great
causes which expelled fathers TO wilderness and
the mercy OF savage foes The republican government
afterwards established here should If true republican
principles shield all IA their religious enets while con.
ducng peacefully and protect all IN Their pursuits and
worship however different, while acting good citizens
becomes suicidal and like despotsm, persecutes di
erences OF opinions, and introduces the grossest egu
afiues
How does the question stand on the principles Of our
/, is Ioiced 10 admit that each sec, should enjoy and
docs enjoy here, the privilege to hold property II
10 hold that why not to protect il by laws which each
helps to make /, comedies 10 each the right TO
for injuries 10 character for injuries 10 children and
wife, and TO worship God IN freedom. Why not then, LEI
them aid IN legisating TO protect all these You hold
out the husk, bat Withdraw the kerhe You allow Ere
arms, but neither gunpowdpr nor lead TO load them and
make them elective In the bill OF rights you pledge
also 10 all sects equality, but afterwards by this test
you make all but Plotesants unequal. You promise en-
lire freedom OF conscience to ALL and treat II in the 4h
article high privilege not TO be in any way
aenable and yet you leave others than Protesans de-
enceess TO by DISTINGUISHING them from filling OF.
fees 10 secure il by legislation.
II is contrary TO the Declaration OF Independence, and
OF toe very first article 10 your bill OF rights declaring all
men equal. You do not thus give 10 all men equal
privileges II is also ia the teeth Of The bill OF
rights say shall not be subordinate TO another,
and still disianchise one, lei hold Offices forbid
den TO otbers II is Likewise contrary 10 all sound
peence and reason TO say we do, that Catholics may
vote, bat not be voted for and that they may be well
competent, for duty and not The other SO it is in
consistent 10 say, do, that they may be Jurors
judges, yet not egslaorsOr agree do 10 the con
suon of the Union, that Catholics may be TT and sale
for members Of Congress- SENATOR'S cabinet oicersyea,
Presdenis-and yet denonnce them as unit and unsae
at home 10 represent hundred and fifty polls in
OF small townships. IL Is in truth much like the
great grievance which led to our reyouiionfdIdtion
tciho representation. All other than Protestant
virtually deprived OF representation, they made
ineligible 10 the legislature Their opinions and wishes
are unheard there from themselves They arc branded
They driven forth with the mark oil Cain, for
yitude and ignominy
Why not as well explicitly ssy-and not do il covert.
no, say thai Catholic Maryland is unfit Catholic Ire
land laihoic Hungary Cafholic France Wbv