The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-04
THIRTY-sEcoND CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
MONDAY, January 8, 1853.


SECOND SESSION.
MONDAY, January 8, 1853.
SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate report from
the Secretary Of the Interior, communicating the
reports of the Surveyors General Of California and
Oregon.
Also, the report of the Secretary of the Senate,
showing the disbursements from the contingent
fund for the year laat past
NEW york AND HAvRE STEAMSHIPS.
Mr.. FISH presented the memorial of the proprie-
tors of the New York and Hayre mail steam rs,
praying that Congress would either increase their
compensation, take their vessels at their cost or
abrogate the existing contract
ANksTHErIc AGENT.
DIR. SMITH presented the memorial of the guar.
dams OF the son of DIR. Wells, of Connecticut
praying, in behalf of their ward the compensation
TO be allowed the discoverer of the an@sthetic
agent, now used in the army and navy in surgi-
cal operations. He moved its reference to the
Committee on Patents
Mr.. BORLAND contended that it ought to be
referred to the Committee on Military Affairs
long debate ensued; after which, on motion
OF Mr.. CASS, the memorial was laid on the table,
RELIGIOUS roLERArIoN IN EUROPE.
MIR CASS presented the memorial of the Mary
land Baptist Union, praying the interposition of
the United States TO secure to Americans abroad the
rights of religious worship according to the die
tates of their own conscience.
Mr.. CASS. have been requested to present the
petition which send to the Clerks table, from the
Maryland Baptist Union Association, and to move
its reference to the appropriate committee. do
this with pleasure, not only from regard to the
motives and position of those who make this appli-
cation, but also because | heartily concur with
them in the importance of the subject, and in the
propriety of calling the attention of the Govern
ment to it, an object dear to US and to the world in
its consequences and hereafter This body
of pious and Intelligent Christians anxiously de-
sire the freedom of religious worship for their
countrymen wherever the ACCIDENTS of life may
carry them. And it is not strange that this senti-
nent should be strongly felt and strongly ex-
pressed in this land of gospel liberty. But it is
strange that in this age OF the world and this day
of intellectual advancement any obstacle should
be interposed by any government in Christendom
to prevent the believers in the faith of Jesus from
following the dictates of their conscience, and
while rendering unto Caesar the things that are
Cesar's, prohibit them from rendering unto God
the things that are Gods, agreeably to their own
convictions of the njunctions of His Divine word.
concede fully with the signers of this petition,
that the best of all freedom ia the freedom Of con-
science, and that there is no tyranny revolving
as that which tyrannzes over the mind.
We have right to be heard in such an appeal
as this, for we have tried the great experiment.
an experiment no longer, for it has become expe
rience-of the entire separation of Church and
State, and have shown that unrestricted freedom
OF worship is not only best for the political inter
ess of country but best for the true interests of
ages have not yet wholly yielded to the progress of
truth, and in many countries the civil authority
impiously undertakes to exclude any form of re
ligion but its own; and conformity is not all
want of conformity to the will of God, but the OF
fence of protesting the Divine will to that of the
ruler. Human presumption has never gone fur
Their than in the erection of standard of faith with
which all must agree be subject to the penalties
of the government here, and to the excomm unca-
tons of the church hereafter. So far as regards
the profession of a particular doctrine neces-
sary qualification for office, however may
lament lts presumption and injustice, We have no
national cause of complaint, as that is question
OF internal policy. And nothing better illustrates
the slow progress Of truth in those old countries
where 1t has many interests and prejudces to en-.
counter, than the fact that even in England with
all her real claims to freedom and intelligence, a
Jew to this day cannot occupy seat in
Parliament without taking an oath by which
ne abJures his own faith and the religion of his
forefathers. But we have right to expect from
the comfy of all friendly nations that American
citizens be permitted to enjoy liberty of worship
wherever they may go. There is not the slightest
reasonable objection to such demand. 1t ought
not, indeed, to be necessary for this unworthy sys
tenn of Intolerance has not the least foundation in
reason or religion. 1t is mere relic of barbarism,
converting the religion of the Gospel into an en-
CINE OF state, and substituting human faiibiity
for those personal convictions of religious belief
which every one should exercise for himself, and
Tor the exercise of which every one is responsible
In what manner it may be proper for our Gov
eminent to present this grave question to other
governments do not undertake at present to ga "
shall move its reference to the Committee on For
elgn Relations feeling satisfied that they will give
IL their earnest attention. and in the hope that they
will make report which will be authoritative as
the expression of our views, and sIl more those OF
our constituents, In any communica tons the Exc
cutive may open with foreign powers. Certainly
there can be no objection to firm and friendly rep
resenta tons; and cannot doub that these deela-
ratlons OF the wishes of the American people will
have weight everywhere; and am satisfied they
Will ere long produce salutary effect in some
countries, and eventually in all. This is kind of
interposition which well BELTS this Republic; and
as day by day we find ourselves engaged in differ
ent questions, we have to feel gratified that
the opportunity is offered US of aiding in a work
which commends itself to our consideration by the
highest motives that can influence human action. s.
And am tree to confess, sir, that for myself I
rsjoce at the occasion thus given to US while
pleading for the full liberation Of religion to bear
our testimony to its priceless value. Independent
OF Its connexlon with the human destiny hereafter,
believe the fall of republican governments is in
dissoluby bound up with the fate of the Christian
religion, and that people who reject it's holy
faith will find themselves the slaves of their own
evil passions, and of arbitrary power. And am
Fl zee to acknowledge that l do not see altogether
without anxiety some of the signs which are shad-
owed forth around A weak and sublimated
imagination with some, and irregulated passions
with others, are producing founders and followers
OF strange doctrines, whose tendencies it ia easier
to perceive than it is to for their origin
and progress. But they will find their career and
tneu iehiouJ NOT III leglslatlOn. out IN q SOUND
hgious opinion; whether they inculcate an appeal
to God by means of stocks and stones and rappings
the latest and the most ridiculous experiment. upon
human credulity, or whether they seek to pervert
the Scriptures to the purposes of their own libidi-
nous passions by destroying that safeguard of rel
gion and social order, the Institution of marriage
and by leading lives of unrestricted intercourse,
thus making proselytes to miserable imposture,
unworthy of our nature, by the temptations of un.
brided lust. This same trial was made in Ger
many some three centuries ago, in period OF
strange denominations, and failed. And it will fail
here; where the Word of God is free to ALL no such
vile doctrine can permanently establish itself.
He moved the reference of the memorial to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs. ~
During Mr. CAss's remarks, Mr.. SMITH made
the point of order that the Senator had no right to
make speech further than to state the purport of
the petition
The CHAIR submitted the question to the Sen
ate whether the Senator should be allowed to pro.
coed, and 1t was decided in the affirmative
MIR. UNDERWOOD congratulated himself that
at last he and the Senator from Michigan agreed
upon the right, just, and proper progress Of the
United States. -
Mr.. HALE said that he approved very highly
the object OF the memorial, but he did not think t
altogether the place of this nation to make the an
peal asked for. Religious freedom and federation
were forbidden by the laws of those nations to