The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-04

lie was here voting for the final disposition OF the ques-
ton al the last session OF Congress He has obvious
made up an opinion upon the subject And now. lhs
late day, after that opinion has been iormed- have 10
doubt with all integrity and fairness and every dspos
ton 10 do what was honorable and rgh-but sfler hs
has most clearly formed and announced il here and
after he has made every effort in his power 10 give ef
tect 10 that opinion al the last session OF Congress we
required 10 go before him II that he has ia
rsdcuon OF the subject and he is 10 decide and report
The Senate whether the family OF DR.. Wells have any
claim whatever in relation to this matter. Now, sir
must confess that would 10 altogether better
To put this subject into the hands either OF standing
committee like The Committee OF Claims-for waive most
cheerluy my former proposition 10 refer II TO The Com
nitee Patents, consideration of the fact that am
myself member of that Commitlee-or TO a select cou-
mlttee agree with what the senator from New Hamp-
shire Mr. HALE says upon the subject 1t is subject
OF vast importance, and OF very deep interest," well woIhy
the consideration and attention Of The Senate | hope
therefore, that my motion will prevail that there be
ect committee appointed by the Chair if the Senate
think proper which shall examine this whole subject
anu report upon II, aud recommend TO us the proper
course Tor Us to pursue,
Mr. CASS. This question is consuming the hour de-
voted 10 petitions, and is giving to deal OF
discussion which has bearing upon the merits OF The
case move that il be laid upon the table
Inc motion was agreed to--ayes 20, noes 10.
RELIGIOUS ToLERArIoH.
Mr. CASS. Mr. Pfesidea have been requested TO
present the petition which now send TO The Clerks
table, from the Maryland Baptist Union Association,
10 move lis reference TO the appropriate committee do
this with pleasure not only out of regard 10 the motives
and position OF those who make this application but also
the object they seek TO obtain, and in The poprety Of
calling The attention OF the government 10 itan object
dear to u.s. and in lis consequences 10 the world now
and hereafter. This body OF pious and intelligent
Christians anxously desire the freedom of religious
ship for their counrymen wherever the accidents of life
may carry them And i is not strange that this sen,
ment should be strongly felt and strongly
pressed in this land OF Gospel liberty. But it is
straAge that in this age OF the world and in this day
Of intellectual advancement any obstacle should be
nleposed by any government in Chrisendom TO peven,
the believer sin the faith OF Jesus from following the die
ates OF their own conscience and while rendering unto
Cesar the things that C@sar's prohibit them from
rendering God the things that Gods, agreeably
to their convictions of The inuncons OF His Divine
Word. coincide fully with the signers OF this petition,
that the base of all freedom the freedom OF conscience,
and that there no tyranny so revolving as that which
tyrannlZes over the mind.
[Here Mr., SMITH objected to the remarks Of Mr.. CAss
not being order upon the presentation OF petition
but the Senate permitted Mr.. CAss TO go on.
We have right 10 be heard in such appeal this,
for have tried the great expermen-an experiment
longer for il has become experienceof the entire sepa
ration OF Church and State, and have shown that
srcled freedom of worship is not only best for the po
cal interests OF country but best or The true interests OF
religion itself Unfortunately, the of dark ages
have wholly yielded the progress OF truth, and
many countries the civil authority undertakes impous.
y exclude any form OF religion but its own, and
conformity is mol the want OF conformity with the will
Of God, bu The offence OF preferring the Divine will to
that of the ruler Human presumption has gone
further in the creation of standard of faith with
which all must agree be subject 10 the penalties OF the
government here, and 10 the denunciapons OF the church
doctrines necessary qualification tor Office however
may lament its presumption and Injustice we have no
rational cause OF complaint as that Is question OF IN
ierna policy; and nothing better illustrates the slow pro-
gress OF ruth in those old countries, where has many
interests and preudces TO encounter than the tact that
in England, with all It's real claims 10 freedom and
intelligence. Jew 10 this day cannot occupy seat
in Parliament without taking an oath by which he alb
jues his faith and The religion OF his foefaheIs
But we have right to expect from the comfy OF all
friendly nations tina, American citizens be permitted TO
enjoy liberty OF worship wherever They may 90. There
not the slightest reasonable objection to such demand
ought not indeed 10 be necessary ior tins unworthy
system OF Intolerance has mol the least foundation IN Tea-
religion. ii is mere relic OF barbarlsm, incapa-
bic OF defence converting the religion OF the Gospel into
engine of State, and substituting human ialbiy, or
rather human presumption Tor those personal convictions
of religious belief and duty which every should ex-
for himself and Tor the exercise OF which every
one ls responsible.
In what manner it may be proper for government TO
present this grave question TO other governments do
no, undertake present to say shall move the refer
ence OF the petition TO the Committee Foreign Rea-
tions feeling satisfied that they will give their earnest
attention, and in The hope that they will make report
which will be authoritative as The expression OF our
views, and still more, those OF constituents, IN any
commu nications the Executive may open with foreign
powers Certainly there can be no objection TO hlm ana
friendly representations and cannot doubt that these
declarations oil the wishes of the American people VIII
have weight every where, and | am satisfied they VIII
ere long produce sauary effect countries and
eventually on all This piece of lnierpositon which
well BELTS this republic and day BY day we Ind our
selves engaged in far different questions, we have cause
i
IN work which commends Itself 10 our consideration by
the highest motives that can influence human action
/ And am free, sir, TO confess, that for myself re-
ioce the occasion thus given TO us. while pleading Tor
the free ioerauon OF religion TO bear our testimony TO
its priceless value Independent OF ir connexion with hu
man destiny hereafter. believe the fate of republican
governments is indissoluby bound up with the tate
of the Christian rel gon, and that people who REJECT m
holy facts will find themselves the slaves OF evil
passions and OF arbitrary power And am free also 10
acknowledge that / do not altogether without anx
/ ieiy oil The signs which are Swallowed fortb
around us. "A sublimated imagna with some and
and followers OF strange doctrines, whose tendencies IS
easier TO orsee than 1t is 10 account for heI origin and
progress But they will find their barrier and their rem
edy not in legis alton. but in sound religious opnion
whether they nculcse appeal 10 God through stocks
and stones and rsppngs, the latest and the dicu-
lous effort upon human creduiy, whether they seek
perveT the Scriptures TO the purposes OF Their own II
bdnous passions, by destroying that safeguard OF reli-
gon and social order, the institution OF marriage and by
leading lives OF unrestricted intercourse, thus making
proselyes miserable imposiure, unworthy OF our ma
lure by the temptations OF unbrdled lust The expert
men W as tried in Germany three centuries ago, in
period OF strange denominations, and failed and II will ia
here Where the word OF God is free 10 ALL no such vile
doctrine can permanently absh itself
| now move the reference OF this petition TO The Com
mitiee on Foreign Relations
| Mr. UNDERWOOD. rice to tender my thanks TO the
senator from Michigan and to say that hail him now as
follower if leader, in the right road OF progress
has last Joined with in that kind oil progress OF
which have al ways been IN favor.
1 Mr. HALE. This is very mpor tant subject evidently
Michigan has treated it, But 1t strikes me that the char
~ 1 t,so hle N ma