Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-04
GOV. GRAHAM AND RELIGIOUS TESTS.

III
eeyeral Of the Democratic presses, perceivng that
thpr candidate for the Presidency is likely to be
ppudiced by the odious religious test in the con-
s4ution OF New Hampshire, affect to believe that
Cfv. GRAHAM, the Wing candidate for Vice Pre-
SCENT is not as tolerant he should be- and one of
tem has even gone so far as to declare that Mr..
GRAHAM was opposed to the reform in the Consti-
qtion OF North Carolina by which similar restriction
fs abrogated. We have inquired into this allegation,
pa md that more than the contrary is true that Gov
so far from favoring any such relic Of persecu
on, was one OF the most active of the public of the
tate IN procuring its repeal He elected to the Le
fslature the advocate Of Convention in 1888. The
friends OF Convention advocated it, among other reasons
Upon the ground that the religious should be abolish
3D. In an address to the people, dated june 1885, while
he election Of Gov. GRAHAM pending they declared
hat 1t was "a disgrace to any free people tyrannze
ver the conscences Of Others and pronounced the OBJ
oxious provision IAN odous restriction upon conscience
the session Of 1888 Mr.. GRAHAM Of the chief
advocates Of the Convention BILL in favor Of which his vote
recorded, although the measure failed. BY meeting
friends Immediately thereafter at the seat Of Gov
frnment he was appointed member of committee
gain to address the people Of the State in favor Of
btutiona reform. This address, signed by VIM H. HAY
treats of the religious restriction as follows:
The hiry-second article Of the constitution excludes
from civil office all who may deny the truth Of the Pro-
testant religion. This has practical effect for the
plain reason that there is tribunal established by the
h,onsttuton determine mans faith Il is an odious
bsdge Of prejudice, which the enlightened beray of the
present day should to 1t is unjust impu-
aEon against the Catholics Of this 70 attach to
Ae any such disqualification The patriotism, personal
Writes and ability and the disinterested public services
of hg individual in the State brand with falsehood
the idle fe that implied by this paper restriction
How far 1t consistent with the spirit of Professionalism
itself how it is compatible with the bill of rights
which declar. that all men have natural and unalien-
able right to Worship God according to the dictates Of
their own conaence leave to that bigotry which
would perpetual this stigma" 4
The judges Of tie higher courts in North Carolina are
elected by the Leg ature At the session Of 1888 va
cancy had occuedby the death Of chief Justice Hender
The late Hon. William Castor eminent Catholic
at the head Of the profession in the State and by
admission of all best qualified for the station 1t be-
ing understood that Mr.. CASTOR, upon examna-
ton of the question: Of opinion that the restriction in
the constitution by the rules of construction applicable
to penal and disabling provisions the power of the
people and the Legislature did exclude Catholics from
Office and therefore had scrpe Of conscience against
accepting. Gov. GRAHAM united with other friends in
urging it upon him duty to accept the vacant place
probation.
In the course of the ensuing ysar the acceptance of
Judge CASTOR having exposed him to uncharitabe re-
marks, he prepared argument the religious in
the constitution which he Transmitted % Gov GRAHAM in
the following letter. and which read by the latter
gentleman in speech in the House of Commons, on the
bill concerning Convention at tie session of 1884:
'sNEwBEnI, NOVEMBER IL, 1884
Il sol diseat tactic
had been expressed in certain parts of the State at
having accepted judicial Office under the existing con-
stitution Perhaps the matter not deserving of any
tce my part But as next to the appreciation of nv
conscience prize the good opinion of the upright
portion of the community and possibly of these
may have misconceived my motives in the alluded TO-
l have concluded to make short statement Of them,
which you will find enclosed leave it entirely to your
discretion to show it to whom you think proper.
81 beg Of you to believe me- with sincere respect and
affection, your friend WILLIAM CASTOR"
"WILLIAM A. GRAHAM, ESQ"
At this session can act concerning Convention to
amend the constitution Of the State was passed. Gov
GRAHAM advocating and voting for It. conferred power
the Convention, III the people should by popular
determine in favor Of the measure among other things
to alter abolish the religious test contained in the thr
ty-second article The Convention assembled in June
1886; Judge CASTOR was a member, and the admirers
purity ability genius, and eloquence win long remembe
his great speech the proposition in favor of religious
freedom In this he declared that by his construction
the constitution, he supposed Catholics not to be excluded
and therefore from of duty had accepted the Office
he held but that the Convention had now in its
to all doubt, and that if they failed make il
plain by amendment he should forthwith resign. The
amendment prevailed and the State enjoyed the benefit
Of his enlightened judicial abors until his DEATH many
years thereafter.
Governor GRAHAM in i'll health during the
for seats in the Conventon not a candidate and of
course not member Of the body His previous action
the subject, however, shows what would have been
his in regard to religious freedom had he been in
the Convention Judge CASTOR in his speech already
toned referred to the liberality Of Gov GRAHAM as
shown by his action in the Legislature and in addressing
the people Of the State and contrasted it with the
rover views Of a member who had been returned from
his county Indeed his elevation and generosity Of cha
racte proclaim him Of those who need no antecedens
or proofs to show what would be his course on question
Of political religious freedom wherever he is known.
A NatiUe Of North Carolina.
MANASSAS GAP RAILROAD.
The annual meeting the Stockholders of the Manassas