The Yazoo City weekly Whig. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 18??-1855, 1853-03-04
RelinIoIus Tolcrntioll.


both houses Of Congress. praying that the
proper constituted authorities should take
such action, as would be effective, to secure
to Americans travelling in foreign countries
or temporarily residing under foreign flags,
the same liberty of conscience and worship
which is guaranteed to all classes Of people
under our free form Of government We
perceive by the reports Of congressional pro-
ceedings, that incipient. steps towards a
mosementupon this seriously important sub
Jet have been takenin both houses.
Mr.. WrLoox. (Of the Cd distriet) offered
the following resolutions in the House of
Representatives. which. after brief discus
siOnby Messrs. Stuart, Taylor, Garter, steph
ems and Wilcox, were referred to the COM
mittee on Foreign Affairs.
WHEREAS. it has been represented by
travellers in foreign countries and by mis-
sionaries preaching the gospel in foreign
lands under the patronage Of American be-
neyolent societies, that American citizens,
owing allegiance TO no other government
than our own free constitutional government,
are compelled to submit to forms of worship
while temporarily residing in or travelling
through countries with Which.our govern
ment has treaty stipuIations, to which their
reason and eonsciences are solemnly oppos-
ed. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the representatives of this
government at foreign courts be instructed
to urge such amendments of all existing
treaties between the United States and other
powers Of the world, as will secure the same
liberty of religious worship to all American
citizens residing under foreign flags which
is guaranteed to all citizens of every nation
of the whole world who reside under the
flag of our Union,
ReSolUed, That all commissions hereafter
to to be appointed to negotiate treaties. shall
Iconsider themselves instructed to secure, if
possible, this provision in all their treaties. !"
! Since the above action in the House Of
Representatives, Gen. CAss has presented
to the Senate memorial from the Maryland
Union Baptist Association, praying for the
same object petitioned.for by the Mississippi
memorial He embraced the occasion to
offer some exceedingly interesting and per-
inent remarks upon the priceless value Of
lba.t1- of oonco;anoo ord vv, ~, - 9TH ar ~ Y.a
eloquent observations, remarked:
81 shall move the reference of the peti-
ton to the committee on Foreign Relations,
feeling satisfied that they win give it their
earnest attention, and in the hope that they
will make a report which will be authorita-
tive as the expression Of our views, and still
more those of our constituents in any COM
munications the Executive may open with
foreign powers. Certainly there can be no
objection to firm and friendly representa-
Itions; and cannot doubt that these declare
tons of the wishes of the American people
will have weight everywhere, and am sat
listed they will ere long produce salutary
effect on some countries, and eventually on
all. This is q piece of interposition which
we'll BELTS this Republic; and as day by day
we find ourselves engaged in far different
questions. we have cause to be gratifed that
the opportunity is offered US of aiding in Q
work which comes itself to our considera-
ton by the highest motives that can infu-
ence human action"
i In our opinion, the greatest question now
to be decided, is whether the whole human
race.shall or shall not enjoy liberty Of con-
science. Under most of the governments
lof the old world, the most intolerable tyran-
ny is exercised over theminds of the people.
s. And General Cas-, well declares ..that the
base Of all freedom is the freedom Of con-
science. and that there is no tyranny so re-
lvoltiDg as thatwhich tyranizes over the mind.
We have a right to BE heard sin.suchan APP
peal as this, for we have tried the great cx-
pertinent ian experiment no longer, for it
has became experience of heentire sepa-
ration of Church and State. and have shown
that unrestricted freedomsof worship is not
lonly best for the political interests Of q
country, but best for the true interests Of
religion ITSELF
The history Of the colonization and settle
Iment Of this free government, shows that
this most amazing wonder in the Empire Of
Il
power and glory. is the result Of success
| full search for liberty Of conscience. The
history Of banished Purltans, prosecuted
Baptists, expelled Quakers and down-troa-