The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-28

connected with the religion of the country aud with III.
secis OF that religion not TO place itself in position
enable any OF the sects of any kind description TO asl
AIDS and contributions oil any kind from the goyernm
mold that the government should be kept perfectly es
from The religion Of the country Now, what does this
Dlli propose! Why sir, granta direct contribu
on OF money which will be taken from the treasury "a
be gwen 10 this society," These the vesiments of the
priesthood which are proposed to be exempted from duty
and suppose they are oil so expensive character thai
the duties assessed upon them greater than this par
cuar institution can bear There are other institutions
OF religion, who use none OF these vestments know
there are some who blame--and think Justly blame
the use OF them, and hold that they not right They
cannot come here ask for aid in this respect II
give 10 those who ask It, although do not give to
those who do not ask it, certainly showing prefer.
ences which are unjust II the amount were but one
dollar, or anything that involved the principle OF a
donation upon the part of the government 10 religious
society, should oppose II just as strongly.
Mr. HALE | had such poor luck in the suggestion
winch threw out just now 10 the senator from Mary
land. lalr PRATT, that had intended to say nothing
more upon the sabiecL But il seens 10 thai it has
assumed different position now and want to address
myself 10 i Tor moment This is nothing more moi
less than donation from the public treasury TO
cation Tor specified purpose. The purpose may be a
good one doubt not that il is do not doubt that il
agrees with the religious convictions of those who seek
H. But we should bear in mind that there different
individuals OF different convictions looking to the pro.
motion OF The great ends OF morals and religion in differ
cn channels, by different MEANS and with different ope-
rauons, and these different individuals with their differ
eni means and different operations. hold that The means
that they employ are just sacred those employed by
these other individuals, And il they ask ing
for like charities and like assistance be given 10 them
how shall we discriminate
| Let me put 10 the senator from Florida [Mr
MALLoRY VINO IS 50 prompt to make this donation from
the government There are associations of females
pous females, poor females, not bound by 10 be
poor but poor in opposition TO their vows TO get little
better oH-poo females in sections Of this country,
who are associated together aboring earnestly 10 bring
about reform that they consider quite beneficial
the country any that be brought about mean
The abolition OF slavery throughout the United States.
There poor, honest pous females bound together in
associations OF that sort they receiving contributions
from abroad; they appeal TO the benevolence of the
world, and pons. el.dsposed, benevolent individuals
upon the other side OF the send donations TO these
poor pious females Yet you their benevolence, in
fringe their rights of conscience just much if they
were laboring in another vocation TO bring about differ
| ent results.
Again. there associations in this country composed
of poor and rich that think the aud spread of
the doctrines which this Catholic Church seeking to
bring about full of evil. instead OF good. They may
come here and ask the aid of the government, TO help
them IN counteractng the very influences which this
association are exerng Why shall they not be helped
and assisted also There other associations that
engaged in building costly edhces, and they import
ing materials and ornaments with which 10 decorate their
costly churches They may come here with the same
plea and ask the aid OF the government to relieve them
iron the burdens which your revenue laws impose upon
them. How can you make any discrimination between
them They may not be so popular and so numerous as
other churches that have here to ask and to
and from the government.
Now, think the only way is 10 say TO all of these
associations Stand ake we tolerate you alive favor
none; our laws are equa-hey operate upon those tha,
bound 10 be poor and those that bound TO be
rich they operate upon Protesants and upon Catholics
upon all associations, OF all creeds aud secis alike and
from the general operation OF these general laws ii
the. policy the righ-no, sir, the right OF the
government 10 depart.
Ii seems 10 that the senator from Louisiana [Mr
DowEsl makes mistake when he says that this is
lecing certain class OF articles upon which the govern
men will not levy duties II is not so il is selecting
not pay duties upon certain articles II leaves the gen
efal law TO stand exactly where IL stood before, laying
duties by fixed and general standard 1t is picking
on, certain association. and saying 10 them, Upon such
necessary articles as you want 10 import 10 carry out
your purposes will not levy dulies because think
your purposes good, wise charitable and benevolent
WE'LL sir, there other wise, charitable excellent be-
nevolent purposes for which foreign mpora,ions TO
be made and you set this precedent in this they
will come here knocking at your doors for that relief
which you have extended here.
| hope the Senate will deliberate upon another sug-
geston thrown out by the senator from louisiana Mr..
Downs who says that he wishes 10 get this measure
carried because there is another bill OF similar charac-
Ter upon which the Committee on Finance have reported
adversely which IS now waiting the action OF the Senate
That is fact which gives increased importance TO this
measure and the principle which is now 10 be esiab-
ished
am no, going to make any profession OF impartiay
In reference 10 all religious denomnalons because sup
pose il is ridiculous TO charge upon any man, upon the
floor OF this Senate, that he is not impartial upon such
matters suppose there is member OF the Senate that
this sou in relation 10 one religious sect or asso-
citation in the country Bat you do set this example,
il you do establish this precedent and say that certain
associations for certain purposes shall come here and
ask and obtain the boon OF relief from the Grafton OF
general laws you will be establishing wide difference
between hem-wider, think, than has yet been estab
sheder this does not compare with those general acts
by which relief has been granted 10 those who have IN
ported books OF science and scientific instruments and
things OF that sort. for the general purposes OF science,
who do not belong 10 any particular class or persua.
sion. Here is direct appeal on behalf OF one religious
order 10 relieve them from the operation OF the general
laws OF the country and give them boon-a grant from
yiduals will have TO pay. Now II you do this for one
Mr. S0ULE an surprised at the esrnestBess dis
played BY the honorable sesstor from New Hampshire,
who has Just taken his seat and by those who coincide
with him. in opposition 10 the measure now before the
Senate. | agree with The senator from Virginia Mr.
MAsoSl that the amount OF money involved in the bill
OF the Senate. Principle should be the groundwork OF
our action. But wosld like TO inquire what principles
would be violated by the awarding OF the grauty provided
for in this bl call il by that name, because II has
been so styled by the opponents OF the bill
II understand the objections which are raised against
this measure they rest upon two or three grounds In
the first place, is said that the would create
distinction highly odoos 10 the spirit OF our Institutions
benei,ng religious creed 10 preference to others
equally entitled the favors OF the government That OBJ
lection is answered at by the proposition rendered by
the from Maryland, MIR. PRArT] to extend the
measure 10 all other religious conmunons indisiney
for have not the least doubt but that the friends OF this
measure would most willingly vote for such propos.
uon and are now ready TO give il their sanction.
The objection is. that certain democratic exgen-
ces, not well defined, should urge us 10 cut down, as
much possible, the expenses OF this government,