The daily union., 1854-12-24


morning.
THOMAS JEFFERsoN'S GREAT ACT ON RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM.
Iii well to recur TO the opinions of the patriots of the
early days of the republic, They the guides to this
free nation in all times of passion and of prejudice They
teach us the science of civilized and enlightened gov
ernment The results, they are, of patient and con-
scentous reflection of ripe experience and OF enlarged
patriotism they be opposed TO the shallow and the
evanescent sophisres of the hour with triumphant effect
They were adopted recommended for temporary
purpose but for all time They not the views alone OF
the exgency which called them FORTH but and the
sacred doctrines which lay at the base of all rational free
dom They had existed in enduring power long anterior
the revolution which separated from the bonds of
Church and State. They reproduced from the Bible
They had been contended for for ages and though
sisted by the blind oppressors Of the Old World they
did not die.
Shortly after the seven-years between the American
colonies and Great Britain and before the constitution
framed and the election of Washington first President
of the United States Thomas Jefferson while member OF
the Virginia legislature, draughted and presented to
that body the immortal act securing religious liberation
and freedom to all the people of the State We copy from
the 9th volume Of his works. recently published and deem
this fitting occasion to lay it before readers So well
considered this great legislative enactment and so
essential in all its details, and so capable for all the
emergencies growing out of the operation of future parties
and of time that he placed it side by side with the Deca-
ration of Independence and with his hand ndted the
immortal words which distinguish his tomb in the
sacred shades of Moncello Thomas Jefferson "the au-
thor of the Declaration Of Independence and of the act
tablishng religious freedom in Virginia
While this act pending before the legislature of
Virginia. ii met with considerable opposition Mr.. Jefer-
son in his autobiography says speaking of this very
act Of legislation: Where the preamble declares
that coercion is departure from the plan of the
Holy Author of religion, amendment pro
posed by inserting the words s Jesus Christ, that
it should read departure from the plan of Jesus Christ
the Holy Author of religion; the insertion
ected by great majority, in proef that they mean to
preend in tie mane Of its projection the Jew and the
Gentle The Christian and -Nahomea the Hndoo and In
fasl Of eosry denomination"
The of the preamble to this great act of legislation
eloquent and comprehensive as Mr. Jefersons
memorable summary democratic doctrines in his in
augura message They apply to the present crusadeto
its leaders and their tollowers-with convincing sgnif-
They meet the whole case, denouncng those who
seek deprive of their right equal share in the
blessings Of free government and asserting that right in
language of singular breviy and force. Especially does
this noble law hold up the mirror to partisan cergymen
and political bigos 1t suggests, too, the broad dis
tncton between pastor mindful of his high du-
ties and of the effect of bad good example, and
who esteems it his province to dragoon men for
their conscientious belief and it points out the rem
edy for such characters and that u.s. for those they
asaA BY their porisonshp their tigotry to choose other
spiritual teachers. Had Mr. Jefferson draughted this noble
Law for The present day he could not admirably have
eompehended its necessity though he alive it
would hardly him the support of the know-nohng
leaders But he did not look forward TO any such event
He could not it is true fail to anticipate that time might
when his elevated and manly sentiments might beap
piled with great effect as cure to lanatcism but in all
his pecuations upon the future of his country he
foreshadowed dark day the present He could not
have supposed that civilization advanced intolerance
would grow greater and stronger that schools
multiplied religious bgory would Increases and that as
the benefits of equal govern ment and free institutions
proving to be the best legacy that could be left to postey
and prosecuting doctrines would seek to limit these
benefits peculiar classes of Individuals Above ALL he
could for momen, have believed that the soil Of Vir-
gaia roGd be cursed wiM serd political party peea
10 insult his memory By dmpng upon hs sacred principles
We value these bis counse however, all the CRATE
fully because they come to us in dark hour with healing
upon their wings. And there is no true American, no
matter how far descended and msed into the OF
the new secret ordcr who will not see in the of the
immortal Jefferson that which is both rebnke to ntoler
ance and an incentive to patriotism
An act for establishing religious freedom passed In the
sembly of Virginia in The beginning of the year 1885,
Well aware that Almighty God hath created the mind
free that attempts influence by temporal punshments
or burdens or by sviI ncapacitaon tend only bege
habits hypocrisy and and departure from
the plan Holy Author Of religion, who being Lord
body and of mind yet chose not to propagate by
cons on either in his almighty power to do that the
mpiens presumption Legislatures and rulers civil well
ecclesiastical Who being themselves but falite and
setting up opinions and modes othnkng only
true and nabe and such endeavorng to impose them
upon Others and religions
the theword andthrough atime that to
pei man to ononey for the propagation
of opinions which he dsbeieves sinful and tyrannca that
even the forcing him support this that teacher Of his
religious deprivng him the comfortable ber-
ty giving contributions the particular pastor whose
would make his pattern and whose powers he feels
most persuve righteousness and is withdrawing
the ministry hese temporal rewards which, proceeding from
n APPRECIATION of their personal conduct are an additional
Indictment earnest and unremtng abor the insruc-
ton of mankind that civil rights have dependence
on our religious opinions than opinions in physics
or geometry that therefore, the prescribing any citizen
as unworthy public confidence by laying upon him an
incapsc o being called to the offices of trust and emolu
ment unless he profess this that religious