The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-09-30
The 0Cambrian."

pleased at an article which appeared In former
number of the Sentinel, concerning the test quail
ifcation in the North Carolina Constitution
We are free to admit that there is no religious
test in the constitution of that state, so far as
Catholics are concerned, it having been erased
in 1886, but our friend fails to produce any ev-
idence to show that Mr.. Graham, the Wing can
didate for Vice President, ever made an effort
for the removal of said test. As the constltu
ton of that state stands now, those of the jew
ish persuasion are denied the right of holding
office, and is this not prescription of a certain
sect If the wings of North Carolina prescribe
one denomination, they may be disposed to-
prescribe others.
Like the Cambrian, we ''are opposed to any
and every attempt to introduce religion into a
political contest" because we believe it to be
uncalled for and wicked, and we are sorry that
such introduction first eminated from a whig
press, the Washington city Republic, on the Mon
day after Frank. Pierce was nominated, being
the 9TH day of June, 1852. In that paper of
said date the charge was made that Gen. Pierce
was intolerant, but the Republic of June g. CON
tanned the following ame1ade honorable but has
since been engaged in attempting to prove its
own language false:
The allegation that the course of Mr.. Pierce,
in the late New Hampshire Convention, is open
to any Just exception on the ground of his man
ifestating any religious intolerance, is utterly
unfounded. We have referred to the proceed
ings of the Convention, and find nothing that
indicates any other sentiment than one entirely
in harmony with reli gious freedom. Mr.. Pierce
was opposed to the recognition of any political
difference among the various sects of Christians;
and we shall be much surprised to learn that he
has, at any time, in the Convention out of it
exhibited any bigotry or intolerance on points of
faith or conscience"
The Cambrian desires to know-why is it, that
if Frank. Pierce is great man in his own
State, that the test has not been repealed Wei
will answer the question by quoting from the
Boston Pilot
s.The truth is, the democrats never, within our
recollection held New Hampshire by ajnrity
of two-thirds. They have carried the State, inI
most years, but by a simple majority. Now, to|
amend the constitution, tsco thirds vote is re
uuired they could not therefore, without helpl
from the wings, repeal this law ; and if they
could not, they are not be blamed"
As to why the town of Concord gave major
ity against the abolition of the test, would
reply that it was mainly from the fact that the
wings made a strong effort to defeat the consti-
tuition, and the New Hampshire Statesman, the
leading whig journal, said the bulk of the peo-
pie ''were satisfied with the constitution as =
and the same paper in referring to some resolu-
tons which Mr.. Pierce had offered, a5oliShiRg
the property qualification and religious tests, said,
lre hope the 1ohjgs ,ciU hare nothing TO do in re
Eeving the locofocos Of the oDIUM that so justly at
tdches TO them this matter.' In Concord, where
Gen. Pierce was i'll his Office, he heard that eff
forts were making to defeat the amendment to
the constitution aboishing the test, and ON re
ceipt of this unexpected news, he went to the
town-hall, where the people were voting, obtain
ed leave to speak and delivered an earnest ap-
peal in favor of the amendment. So says the
Boston Pilot, good authority, and after his
speech, the ballots were cast for the amen dment
The town of Hillsborough, the late residence of
Pierce, gave ajority for the amendment
The Canbrian cannot but admit that Gen.
Pierce has been the firm friend of religious free
dom and at time too, when he was not n can
didate for the Presidency. As such he is enti-
tied to to the vote of every democrat, no matter
what his religious convictions, and as such is
entitled to the gratitude of men of all parties