Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-09-15
Tn, Growth of Political sectarlanIsm.

efficiency simply from the fact of its existence as
State paper no matter how formally soever it may
be engrossed, how definite may be its provisions.
1t is but the permanent embodiment Of the genius of
the people, resolved into definite and tangible form
when it ceases be- It's existence is merely nominal
The constitution may make no distinctions between
citizens, founded upon differences of religious belief
Congress may be prohibited from making any law
an establishment of religion, or prohibit
ting the free exercise thereof and yet these dstinc
tons virtually exist, if politics are made to hinge up
on these differences and parzan organizations, secret
or otherwise be constituted with direct reference 10
the exclusion and prescription of certain classes upon
grounds foreign to the spirit of the Constitution 1t
has always been the boast of the American system,
that on the soil of the Republic Church and State,
politics and religion, disconnected, and that the
miserable disputes through which, under, the desc
Grated name of Christianity, the fields OF Europe had
been crimsoned by the blood of her children, could
find no place among her citizens. Can it be that
this proud distinction is to be forfeited, that its un-
told blessings are 10 lightly rsked-that the fair
flowers of Christian charity and mutual forbearance
are to be shrunk and shrvelled up in the hot and
unwholesome breath of polemcal partizanship' -
We will rot believe it And yet to read the pa
pers of the day, flaming with sectarian politics,
or recording religious riots and church burnings
is enough to give rise TO the most serious appre-
tensions in the breast of the patriot, who has
cherished with pride and pleasure the hope that
here, at least, the descendants of those who had
suffered so much from the terrible workings of Sec
tartan bigotry the old world, would be content to
exclude forever its baneful spirit from this.
We look at this matter simply in its civil aspect
with reference to the relations of men to each other
and to the country, in their character of citizens In
this light we cannot avoid the conclusion that any po
lica association, founded upon the avowed principle
of drawing line of distinction between citizens up
on grounds not recognised by the Constitution, is IN
spirit opposed to that instrument, and the success Of
such association would be to render the Constitution
so far imperative. The Constitutional equality be-
tween citizens would in fact, no longer exist. The
prescribed sect or sects would be efectualy cut off
from it as though degraded by an express law
Many, no doubt, who favor these new movements
are perfectly sincere and conscientious, but we ask
them TO reflect cody upon the matter. TO act as
citizens and not as religionsts To keep passion and
feeling totally out of the way The effects OF these
excitements are already sickening. What may they
not be when fully developed. for it is the nature Of
such things to grow and increase in strength and
bitterness Unlike other excitements, which wear
themselves out, those founded upon religion may
shoulder for time but seldom if ever exin-
guished The darkest pages of history-the most
murderous and mplacable wars the most terrible
civil conyulslons bear the impress of religious antag-
onism.
OF the opposition to naturaIized citizens intend
to say little nothing. 1t ls of course plainly and
fairly within the Jurisdiction OF Congress to estab-
lish such uniform rule of naturalization may seem
best to its wisdom: and of course, the agitation for
change or reform in the laws for the admission OF
foreigners 10 the rights of citizenship Is simply
matter of policy, and such change or reform is sub
ect to discussion like any other law. This it would
be folly to dispute, or to say that plausible reasons
might not be adduCed in favor of such change re
form. But there exists class of citizens who have
become such under the guarantee of laws made il
pursuance of the Constitution 10 whom that instru
ment accords full equality, with the solitary eXcep
ton of being ineligible to the Offices of President Of
Vice President of the United States. While the Con
stituton SO stands fair reasoning leads TO the nev
table conclusion that any party, avowedly started fo
the purpose of establishing other disabilities and
illusions than those contemplated and expressed il
the Constitution, s in fact, at variance with the spir
it and letter of that instrument. Its objects, if at
tanned, would be practical notification, not OF
mere law, but of the scope and letter and spirit o
the Consultation of the United States.
We pen none of these remarks in the interests o
any particular class of ctizens-but of the whole
in defence of the spirit of the Constitution,
stands, and especially in depreciation of the introduc
ton of the spirit of sectariansm into politics-a spir
it so easy to evoke and so hard TO allay. The for
egn or Catholic vote, in the most of the Souther
States, especially in North Carolina is too insight
cant to- be object for any party 10 court or care fol-
in political point of view, and the individual o
party that would court such vote, such, anywhere
is, so far, wrong and unworthy confidence. The
should only know themselves, they should only b
known, by friends or opponents, as American citi
zens subject to all the obligations and entitled TO al
the rights consequent upon such position. 1t can
not be denied concealed, that an evasion OF sue
duties, by any class is blow at the rights of tn
whole and, on the other hand an attempt at tn
virtual abrogation Of the equal rights of any class,
guaranteed by the Constitution whether such abroga
ton is TO be effected directly or indirectly is njur
Gus to the rights OF all, as tending to weaken tn
sanctions Of that great instrument which all in
terested in sustaining in its letter and in its spirit.
BGg3 The X correspondent OF the Baltimor
Sun. writing from Washington City, under date
the 10th inst says that the last arrival from the P;
cifc coast brought the treaty for the annexation
the Sandwich Island so often referred to- 1t remain
TO be seen whether the President will send it in
the Senate, and whether the Senate will confirm
when sent in. 1t will not, in all probability be &C
ed upon before Christmas