The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-15

Navy.--No. =.
Mr. EDITOR IL my fret number / attempted 10 show
h. under the confederation and during the revolution
Inc common Christianity OF the land repeatedly rec
oxuisrd by Congress.
when Independence was achieved, and the convention
rooc.ns interests OF The States and the freedom which
had been dearly seemed about 10 lapse into an
afchy again. at the suggestion OF franklin, IN words
which ought to be pehsed 10 golden letters 10 The con-
stu,ion The aid of The Almighty Invoked, and har.
mony speedily secured,
Thus spake the venerable man: ssMr President, the
small progress which we have made after four five
weeks close and constant reasoning with each other,
our different sentiments almost every question: sew
era OF the last producing many ayes, is, me-
81 es ss
want Of political wisdom since we have been running
aound in search Of it, We have gone back 10 ancient
history for models OF government and examined the
dheIent forms Of those republics, which. having been
formed with the seeds OF their own dssolnuoD now no
longer exist and have viewed modern States all
around Europe, and find none OF lhef CONSTITUTIONS suit
able 10 our circumstances.
"ln this situation the assembly cropping as Were In the
dark TO hnd political truth and scarce able TO distinguish
il when presented TO how has IL happened, SIR that
we have not hitherto thought OF applying humby 10 the
Father OF Lights to illuminate underslandlngss In
the beginning OF the contest with Great Britain, when
eve were sensible OF dange we had daily prayer in this
room for Divine protection Our prayers sir, were heard
and were graciuusly answered All Of us who were
engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent IN
slances OF Superior Power in favor, 10 that kind
Providence we this happy opportunity OF consulting
in peace on the OF establishing our future naonas
felicity And have now forgotten that powerful
Friend. Or do we imagine that we no longer need His
assistance have lived sir, long time, and the longer
live The more convincing proof see OF tnis Huths mat
God governs in The affairs OF men And II sparrow
cannot fall TO The ground without His notice. how can an
empire rise without His aid We have been assured, sir
in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord Keep the
house. the Waterman waketh but IN vain firmly be-
lieyc this; and also believe that without His concur
ring aid shall succeed u this political building no
better than the builders OF Babel"
Tha of Dir Fran lin w Har
mony was restored. The constitution was completed
The first great movement OF the revolution commenced
with prayers in prayer Its GROWING work was con-
summated.
And now. when grateful country summoned Wash
ngon from his retreat to assume the CHAIR OF Ssate and
when the august ceremony OF the Inauguration OF The
first President of the United States under the constr
tuition was about to be performed il was not without el
gous services and sanctions OF the most impressive and
striking character that the great event was cele brated
By Joint action OF the Senate and tie House ire
solved that after the oath shall have been administered
to the President the Vice President and members OF the
Senate, and the Speaker and members OF the House OF
Representatives, will accompany him TO hear Divine SER
vice performed by the chaplans OF Congress" AS the
State thus represented in all her departments passes into
the Church oil God led by the pous and majestic Wash
pgton, to see, expressive visible representation
the true relation OF these two Heaven ordained instu
tons In that significant and striking scene see the
Church and State independent but related not organ
ICED unon but in raiernal fellowship, each rendering to
The other honor and regard-he State learning the gea
religious and moral principles OF its administration from
ton oil duty the Sa.e-he Stale rendering homage and
returning thanks the God OF Nations for His signal
meces and the Church expressing for her that praise and
homage, and Joining in il in her prayers and psalms
rhymes and spiritual songs more solemn recognition
of Christianity the religion OF the country and OF the
Slae-a distinct expression OF the purpose to sup
port and lean upon 1t Tor support In every way mol IN
consistent with its cons,tutoncould not be made by
government which repndiated church establishment
But, besides these and similar solemn national re-
cognitions of Christianity The religion Of the land ant
of the Sate there have been other measures op the par
Of the government which to have The aspec, OF
still more formal and legal sanction.
The Christian Sabbath is recognised by The general
government and has been from the beginning II IL, IN
The language Of the law 'tdes non On that day The
executive legislative, and judicial departments OF Inc
government do not transact business II is day which
be used for serving legal process for the return
OF writs, other judicial purposes; and II so used
these instruments and proceedings would be void OF legal
force Now, here is recognition, not OF religion in
general bat OF The Christian religion in par,icularns
Of both dispenssons alIke-ihe Jewish and the Chris
that the Acknowledges the Christian Sabbath
and ignores the Jewish Sabbath. Does the govern
ment BY this action distinctly say-"We will not, in
Decd establish any religion, or any form OF religion, MOI
supper. lis institutions ministers from the public treas
uy but, as the religion OF the people OF this country
and our own religion, is Christianity. IRON respect ic
ihsr sacred convictions, and our and from regard
10 Gods laws, and that we may enjoy His blessing VIZ
will give national recognition and honor TO bis SACRED
day" Surely, the action of our government IN refer
TO the Christian Sabbath speaks language no les
i emphatic and distinct than this.
The same purpose on the part Of the general govern
ment recognise the Christianity OF the people, and
express its felt dependence Tor prosperity and sue
on the blessing OF that God whose will is revealed
in His Holy Word. appear from the appointment OF day
Of Thanksgiving and prayer and from It's appointment
chpans the Congress and for the army and navy
lhe United States,
Such days OF fasting and humiliation and of thanksgly
ing were frequently set apart BY the general government
in earlier period OF our history. Several OF them we
appointed during the revolution. Al The very commence
nent OF the federal government, September IS. 1859
Il joint committee OF both houses were directed TO wal
upon the President OF the United States 10 request tia
be would recommend TO the people of the United States
day public thanksgiving and prayer, TO be observed By
acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal ia
OF Almighty God, especially by afisrding the CIT
eumsance that unlike some OF the other recognuons
| Christianity which were occasional and temporary, TIN
i tsa continuous and permanent arrangement
Such OF the fees, not few nor OF doubtful mean
ing which establish the position in the admitted and honor
sdsglon OF the nation 1t plainly the purp1se OF IN
people OF the United States that the government which
they formed should recognise az Christians and homo
The God OF Christianity Tor 10 oun sake. IRON wise re
gard 10 ito pe and prosperity, and that II woul,
pmetmes employ the Christianity OF the Church
Tor The benefit OF the State /" The real object" say
Judge Tucker o those articles OF the constitution which
feIate religion not to eountenance, much less e
advance, Mahomedanism or Judaism. or inhdehiy, b.
Wos,rang Christianity; but to exclude all nvaify o
Christian secls ano TO prevent any national eccesiasu
cal estabiishmeni' Doubtless that the real object
The conduct oil the trainers OF the constitution is the bes
commentary on lis meaning. They favored and recog
Missed Christianity, bat they established no religious ties
for holding office; they made "no laws respecting
Enlistment OF religion prohibiting the free exercise
hereof" All the proceedings OF The general govern
neRt 10 reference 10 religion since is formation, hsy
been pprlpcily consseut with the Consultation and Will