The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-31
From the Florence tAl..) Gazette, May a

From the Florence (Aa) Gazette, May "A.
Hon. James CampbeM.--Tho Religious Test.
The best Of human principles is to be found in human
actions. and when desire TO give impartial judg
ment. should resort to such sources of information
whenever they are accessible.
franklin Pierce, during the late presidential campaign
severely and unjustly assaed by his adyesares a
friend to the odi0us religious test which sues thu
otherwise fair political character of the State OF New
Hampshire, and which strikes blow at the principle OF
religious freedom, by imposing upon her citizens OF the
Roman Catholic faith disqualification for any Office
within her gift. He was charged with having been
friend that ilIibera ant-repubcap and abomiaable
prohibition and with not having faithfully exeried him
self 10 it's oblteraton from The constitution of biz
State. The wing party araigned him upon this charge
before the great Jury Of the American people, and there
upon addressed themselves to the ardent enthusiasm of
the generous hearted Irish population OF the country
From that unjust accusation he ably defended BY
his political friends, by the press, by the records of his
public career; and after long and arduous trial, he wa
proudly acquitted by the brilliant verdict OF his country
men. Nobly. indeed, has he proved himself worth,
OF such vindication, by giving 10 the country ant
10 the world. since his elevation to the presidency
OF the United States, in one OF his highest othcia
acts, the most positive and indubitable testimony
that he is enemy TO the principle OF religious
intolerance, and friend to the great fundamental
doctrine OF freedom OF conscience, without which ali
names, all Professions all forms of government having
in view the ends of political liberty, must prove
mockery, and fail OF the attainment Of such great
designs those which lie the foundation OF our repub
lcan Institutions.
By the appointment, minister in his cabinet of
member Of the Roman Catholic Church. the President
has given the country the highest possible evidence
OF his worthnees OF its verdict OF acquita from this sc
aspersion, and to his character the most iri
umphanl vndication from charge which, il true would
have rendered him unworthy Of any mark OF public
conf ience, under free government, his pure and
bsmeless political life has made HIM eminenty deserving
of the honor which he has been handsomely seva
ted, and which. republican, he modesy and
gracefully
The present able and accomplished Postmaster General
is by faith and profession Roman Catholics and wheh
his selection for that important position made with
view OF giving positive and unequivocal testimony OF
the feeling and principle OF the President in regard to tbe
religious test, not, nevertheless eecually answer
that purpose Il is obvious that General Pierce did moi
deem the Papal faith disqualfyng cause in the seec
on Of his confidential advisers that he did not permit
difference OF religious faith or sentiment to bias him in
the choice OF his cabinet; but that the contrary, he
ready TO declare by deedwhich speaks louder than
word-hst honest religious opinion should not operate
with him 10 the exclusion Of any IRON official posi-
lion. Thus has he shown himself, beyond suspicion OF
doubt to be free from all sympathy with that feature OF
the organic law OF bis State which recudes GER
tain class of her citizens from receiving the honors and
emolumens OF Office. under her authority for reasons
which stand variance with the true principles of human
freedom.
We hope ha, the high example OF her honored son will
exert sauary influence upon the future course OF The
Granite Sa,e and that she will prove that she has
granite hsdr by perssng the retention upon the page
oil her otherwise fair constitution of stain which reflect,
a blush to the cheek OF every American whose mind il
imbued with The true sentiment Of civil and religion,
liberty.
The selection Of the Hon James Campbell for the po-
son TO which he has been appointed will no, only
complete and triumphant release OF the Presi-
dent from all suspicion OF sympathy with this religious
test but will otherwise rebound 10 the advantage and
honor OF the adminisir alton His talents, his attain
ments, bus great business capacity. and "as though moi
least his urbane and courteous bearing give every as
surance that he will eminenily distinguish himself on the
wide theatre OF duty upon which he has entered AL
ready have bis official acts indicated that he will come
fully up 10 the expectations and demands OF the country
by PRUDENT energetic and able administration of the
department over which he presdes; the expansion of
which has become vast, and the duties Of which are
every day 40 rapidly increasing with the internal develop
mns OF our country az to require, for lis oper super
VISION ana management the talent OF very abest men
That happy selection for that important position has
been made in the appointment OF Judge Campbell the an
ecedens of bis useful though unostentatous lie afford
us slight assurance or the multitude who have via
tied the Post Office Department since the commencement
Of the new administration, none have come away other
wise than TO praise his fairness and promptness in the
despatch Of the public business and to heap encomums
upon The kind and cordial amenities that mark his per-
sona intercourse. Experience has taught us how pleas
j. for strangers pass from the cold contact which
hey too often al Washington into the bland and
GENIAL presence OF such His kindness makes too
deep an impression upon the hearts OF those who 20 ont
from him 10 be forgotten and his abilities will, We
predict make such impression upon the county, in the
discharge Of his official fnnctons to secure for him m
highest confidence and regard Whether Roman Catholic
nan~h ma