The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-07-10

tIons like these have led To the abolition Of such
tests m many other Ut our sister States, and IN
the constitution oi the United States, IA my view.
REQUIRE us to initiate their wise example.
Mr.. Pierce, Of Concord. said that he could ron.
cut heartily in all that the gentleman from Ports
mouth had uttered, except his last remark !,
was quite obvious that, 50 far from having taxed
the patience Of the committee, his speech upon
both the great subjects embraced IL the resolu-
lions under consideration, had been Listened to
with unqualified qualification. Not because he
threw the weight oi his high character and the
power Ci his Arguments into the scale on the side
oi right in case where there was hesitancy--
where judgment Of members was not definitely
farmed-where .here was shade Of doubt as to
lhe result but because il was desirable that the
grounds on which We proceed in matters ol such
gkAys impost should be stated, AZ they have been
with singular fgee " reasoning and beauty of
Illustration. II was also service well rendered,
not less IN yndcatlJn of the past than the present
The motives Of the fathers OF the present eonst
tuition and Of the people in 1872 had been placed
IN their true light. So much was due to them. 1t
was also due to this convention and the people
whom they represent and due TO the reputation
oi the state abroad that it he well understood
that both Of the prOvlsQns-,he religious test and
the property qualibca,ons-had been dead let
ter at least ~ long the Chairman tNlr Seward
had participated 10 any extent IN the councils of
the state They had been practically imperative
from Mr. Ps earliest recollection The Chair.
man would recollect that many years ago nt u
time Of high party excitement, it was suggested
that member OF the House OF Representatives
occupied his seat without the requisite property
/ qualifications. But two objections at once &c
Cured to any action upon the subject; the first
WAS That Investigation and action instead Of re-
jectlng one member, might probably yacate
twenty seats, the second was that no member
could probably be found to move in n matter 50
utterly repugnant 10 public sentiment.
The religions test in the constitution had un
deniably been stigma upon tie state, at home
md abroad. 1t has been repeatedly named to
him, and once at least in a foreign land as un.
worthy Of the intellect and liberal split of uur
countrynien Although he had at times felt keen.
ly the rrproach, he had uniformly referred, ms he
had no duut other gentleman had done, 10 ether
parts ot the constitution as illustrating the true
aud free spirit Of our fathers. aud to these as at
least for many ysafs II blank. The great qpes.
ton OF religious toleratOu was practically settled
aud settled IN manner nCrer TO be reversed
while We retain our present form Of goye:nmCnt,
more ihan thirty years ago The provisions. now
claiming the attention OF the committee could
hardly be said to involve au open question. 1hry
had been the subject Of discussion IN every "
ceum, every academy, debating club, every town;
and there was perhaps no subject upon which
public opinion and public feeling was 20 uniform
| and decisive. The subitance--if substance they
ever hsd-hayiDg long passed away, he rcjlced
that the proper occasion had ut length arrived To
dispense with the form.
Subsequently Judge Woodhury from the Judi.
rary Committee submitted report upon this
subject, concluding with the following resolu-
ton.
: Ecso'rci That ro belief IN lie doctrines of any
particular religious set ,hal 1t required ~ a
test for holding Office or be entitled to any prefer
cHce whatever, under the cons tttution
! Mr. Chambprhin Of keenc, moved that lh,
resolution he indefinitely postponed and ad.
vocatcd, in a speech Of some length, the retention
Of the religious test and tie property quallGca.
I tun in the constitution.
I Pending the question, remarks were made in
favor Of the passage Of the resolutions Of the
nlitee by Mys.r, Smith. Of Henuiker, aud Bell t..
Clifford, and by Sir. Eastman. Of CONWAY, IN op.
! position.
/ Mr.. Wggns, Of Dover, moved that the whole
subject he laid on the table negatiycd
Nj. Chamberlain dgain addressed the convcn
ion IN favor o! his motion Of indefinite postpone
mcut
/ 'lr Woodbury. again addressed the Convention
| IN support Of the resolution