The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-16

There hope for the South American p,siss-for some
Of them at least New Granada is Just now the theatre
OF an important movement, which will work entire
revolution il carried in The spirit with which il has
been commenced The project Of law for the complete
separation OF church and state in that republic has been
submitted TO the Congress of New Granada by the Exec
uive II provides that IRON the passage OF the act, the
temporal and spiritual authorities shall be entirely indie
pendent OF each other. and that, accordingly civil
funcionsry shall take pan in the election OF esclss'
asucal officers Of any religious sect whatevsri tina,
there shall be legal obligation TO contribute to the sup
port OF any religious worship its minister's that
every citizen OF New Granada and resident foreigner
shall have the unrestricted right to e&efcise publicly or
privately the worship which he Processes provided that
no existing law is thereby infnnged that the pelaes
and ministers OF every religion shall be subject to tho
laws Of the republic. in clvias we'll Us In criminal affairs
on the terms with other citizens that the execu-
live power shall not admit from the Papa government,
any but purely diplomatic agents, and for The sole pur.
pose OF negotiating International affairs that the prohi.
ton c The Jesuils from entering the territory of the
republic shall continue in force that the penalties
against infringing on the free exercise of Catholic wor
ship shall apply TO all oihet religious denominations
that compulsory contributions for the support OF religious
worship shall cease after the irst of September.
In the official doeutheht presented to Congress the
question OF religious liberty is argued at length and with
ability. Referring 10 this country, it says: I" In the Uni
ted States of America thu liberation Al hotehp and re-
ligious Independence are absolute The government
ognises educational authority class. II sees only
citizens and foreigners, but priests In that country
OF liberty and progress which opens it's doors 10 all
The nations Of the wor.d only about twentieth part OF
The clergy Catholics, the rest belonging 10 other re-
lgious sects Voluntary contributions, il they do not
enrich The ministers of worship, give them suicen, for
comfortable support. The people are religious without
being fanaca, and the clergy present edfyng exam
pie of virtue There the priests have power over the
property OF the citizens, does religion suffer because
there are compulsory contributions Tor its support
by adopting the system. Let us abandon those
chmecal fears which to great degree re,ard the
progress Of good principles and the prosperity OF the re-
public"
This IS the FIRST great step OF progress that has been
taken in the southern American States recently The
revolution did but relieve them from the despo,sm OF
Saan while they remained under the dark and crushing
tyranny oil superstition and bgory which has ever since
weighed down their energies and prevented their advance
In civilization New Granada hae nobiy resolved 10 break
the sbackles and respond the spirit Of the age,o give
TO her people that freedom OF religious opinion which is
the characteristic and the glory OF the United States
Some OF her most prominent stalesihsa have, within
few years past, spent much time in this county, studying
The genius and the workings OF our institutions. The
impressions received appear to have been favorable
and TO have awakened desire and determination 10
initiate them al home. The work has commenced-a be.
ginning has been msde-a noble movement, has been mi
iaied, which in its coneumnaoh and in it's results is
DESTINED to have important influence upon the future
destiny OF the southern republics.