Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-01-31
FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.

vary LARGE meeting was held n New York on Thursday
vsnioo last 10 take measures the influence of
National Government In the promotion OF the principles OF
religious freedom and especially 10 the protection OF Amer
lean citizens the enjoyment OF their rights OF conscience
and of religious worship and to bury their dead in such
way and with such rites 10 them may seem most appro
n,,,e when sojouruns or travelling n foreign nnds We
freely grant and fully guarantee the enjoyment OF these
RIGHTS 10 all people, of oil nations who visit our country and
ia emneny proper that ecprocalion OF them should be
oxtsndei bv others 10 our czens George presided
over the enthusiastic meeting Interesting letters were read
fom MANY distinguished citizens and among tem very
Ionp abls and eloquent letter from Henry Wise Esq which
VIC shall take great pleasure in laying before our readers al
though we arc crowded by the communications oil cor
rospondens compel US TO surrender most oil our ed
torIsl space From Mr.. Edward Everetls letter. learn
that te customary lava OF nations secure these rights 10
certain extent, minister resident and his suites and pro-
vision has been made by treaty in many extend the
aame rights to his counrymeD There is for great i'm
in this respect and the increasing enehment Of
the age demands The Uoed States OF all The powers OF
Chrstsndom ought TO expect the most liberal treatment IN
,hs resoec IN return for the religious equality guaranteed
h, the Constitution. The right of Christian burial ought
in all cases. be freely conceded Common humanity re-
,es b,s This subject long since engaged the atten.
,o If the Government, liberal provision for freedom Of
.on..nce and Christian burial secured by treaty
with Sweden az ea,ly ls3 and similar stPustions are
Contained In recent treaties particularly those villa
ho Catholic States OF South America. In 1926 Mt Adams
nenoned iust and liberal principles Of religious liberty as
ne If the objects promoted by the Congress at Pana
ma am happy to learn from you that the President and
SECRETARY of State believed to be favorable 10 the gene
raj In view Their influence steadily and prudenty
o,o,sa I contribute materially the desired end. II
uat not a forgotten however that there 10 no subject on
which foreign Sstss jealous than their religious
h.f and tho rites and nsages connected with it, and also
,bs, tho power of all branches of gov
enment ia extremely limited in al that pertains 10 this sub
jcct."
The folow,po exoeller. resolutions unanimously
adopted BY tho meeting which promptly and properly put
down motion intended reflect upon tho laws Of The
South, In regard 10 her peculiar institutions
Resolved lst Ths, n the judgment OF this meeting it Is
the duty of the Government of these United States 10 pro-
tect our fellow citizens residing or travelling foreign lands
in bor rights of conscience and religious worship as well
as their of person and OF property and that
has been donc these rights shoaa DC secured oy inc go
iemn corppacts of international trealies
Resolved 3D. That 10 the opinion of this meeting il Is
reasonabe thai the should demand OF other
lions The of these rights and the
AT the same nasnuc The concession of them would
~ he Of what the Constitution Of the United
sses sscres TO tho citizens OF every foreign land who
visit our shores whether they be ro'esans Roman Ca
tholics, Christians or Jews
Resolved 3d. That this meeting approves, in the fullest
manner of tho efos of distinguished Senators the
aa session of Congress; one OF whom Cass called
,hap tent
nortan, subject and other, (Mr Underwood then mem
her of The Senate from Kentucky in behalf Of the commit
foreign N h mat oTo 1nsoaans
Resoved That would be Just and wise on the part OF
the of the United States 10 future treaties WIN
foreign nations secure practicable 10 our czens resi-
ng nhroad the right of worshppng Co., freely and open
10 secording 10 The dctees Of their own conscienres by
providing that hs sha not DC % u Of nn
in the proper exercises Of their peculiar religion either in
,heIr own pyse houses 10 churches chapes or The
and thaf haue ohm he
81 berrv to build aud places of worship in conve-
nen situations Interfering in no way WITH bul respecting
The religion and customs Of tho country In when Gey re-
"Resoved further, That it would DC just and wise 10 our
future treaties with foreign nations 10 citizens
siding abroad tho right 10 purchase and own burial places
and 10 bury any citizens dying abroad in such places
h those religious ceremonies and observance5 deemed
oroursie BY surviving friends of tho deceased"
Resolved a. That inasmuch MIR. Undcrwoods report
/, bsiieyed this meeting would respectfully request the
editors Of ibo secular as we'll as the religious pross ub
Ish IT, together with the resolutions appended TO IT, in
order that the subjec, may fully brought before
Resolved s. That Congress- be- and they hereby
ussted TO pass above stated resolutions or others smi
this end this meeting would respectfully inVite
their fellow citizens In ell parts OF The country TO address
without delay both Houses OF that body by memorial pray
inc that such action may take place.
Resolved g. That ths meeting being fully OF opinion that
every American citizen who 10 foreign countries TO
ma ke known tho dncnes and blessings OF Christianity 10
his fellow msn-n ohcdieuco to tho command of the Sa
your so preach the Gospel to cuery creaiures much
.olitlsd the protection Of the Government
who goss abroad for business traveller goes
pleasure SO long he conliavones law of The political
governments of those countries
Resolved T That ihis meeting holding these vews re-
ioces In the couras which tho Government hus pursuad 10
Interfering with ygO il has d0ns tho Of The Rev
Dr. Kiucrnn Amrflcan Missionary In Greece, and would
press hope that will relax its efforts till full justice
he done in his behalf.
Resolved g. That 10 the opinion Of this meeting In view
Of tho wonderful changes which coming over tho entire
civilized world by The expansion of commerce and the
great augmentation OF the facilities of ovel-bringtng the
PEOPLE OF all Countries In numbers Lotto contact with
other 10 an extent wholly unparalleled in tho history
Of tho human ace-he basis the Law of nations should
bo enlarged to include other subjects besides pars
treaties navigation and foreign The rights and
privileges foreign residents and veers ought 10
matters Of regulation.
Resolved. 9, That in tho Judgment Of this meeting The
tiuie has come when tho governments OF Chrisendom
which know the blessings and advantages OF religious liner
~ should mako ali proper efforts it's recognition
and prevalence In oil na,ionsffom the conviction
will greatly advance freedom OF intercourse aud extension
of trade allay national snsolities causes Of
promote the useful and scences and increase md
strengthen The bonds OF brotherhood which the Christian
Religion rightly understood add truly practsed insaraby
creates. .-.- - .
Resolved TO- That this meeting feels the more npsed
20 express this conviction from additional considerations