The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-07-28

I was sometimes manifested, bat it gradually sn5-
sided and the heaven born principles promulga-
ted by Lord Baltimore in Mary land, Roger
Williams in Rhode Island and William Penn
In Pennsylvania, have had their heathtul sway
in the policy of this country. being engratted IN
the constitution of the several States. The
Quakers and Baptists were once prosecuted in
New England, and the Puritan preachers and
Dissrnters from the Established English ChGrch,
in Virginia-but who would dare now 10 avow
publicly, sympathy with such intolerance p
Who would bave the hardihood now TO propose
an amendment TO the constitution OF the Union
or of any of the States, that person born IN a
foreign land, or protesting any particular reii-
gious faith, shall be excluded from the rights,
privileges and immunties of an American citi-
zen! Thanks to the spirit of the age and an
over-ruling and ever wise Providence, the idea
Of rights of conscience has eventually prevailed
and been permanently established, and peace
has been introduced among men under the sane
ton of our government and laws, on subjects
which had long led TO cruel and bloody wars
We are not defending the tenets Of any par
ticular sect, but the rights OF all TO enjoy their
cWn peculiar views without molestatlon, with
out prescription and persecution. In this lies
the safety Of all, for the powerful Of to-day
may be the weak of tomorrow. The same op-
pressions and crueitieS, visited by dominant
religious sect upon their weaker brethren Of
opposite religious views, may be returned upon
themselves with ten fold fury IN the ebbs and
flows of party and political feeling, il such quPS-
tons are TO be tolerated at all In political dis
cussons. The poisoned challce may be reiufn-
ed to the lips Of those who would force others
to drink the hemlock. We feel right sure, that
the adversties Of the past in the history OF man
kind, will not be lost upon the good sense oithe
American people. and that all religious perSua-
sonS may De permitted TO carry out the pure
and holy mission propagating the gospel and
dlfiusng a sound morality among men.
Let not then, fellow citizens, the sealed toun-
tains OF religious controversy be opened to de-
iuge with bitter waters this happy country. Let
not then the unmtisated evils olreIigious euds be
scattered broad cast over the land, TO be more
loathsome than the lice and frogs Of Egypt
Let US not be divided in political matters, by
reason Of diversity of sentimefr on religious
subjects, where no differences can.eXist in the
eye OF the law on such subjects, and where ali
sectS and creeds are alike protected. Let us
live together in ami;y and love, with no Seetar-
ian, blgoted or intolrrant views upon subjects
about which men never could and never Will
thini alike: each conceding TO the other the
right tn consult his own conscience in matters
OF religion, because such concession secures his
own rignt to DO likewise.
Let us also avoid the contracted view of hu-
man rights: which denies the privileges OF citi-
ZenS to those who have been born on foreign
soil. How few of us, but can trace ancestors,
not remote, who first saw the light of day be-
yond the blue waters Of the Atlantic. And how
1t CRATES upon the American ear to hear it an
nounced as has recently been done by the new
Mayor of Philadelphia, that distinction mark
ed and manifest Is to be made among the peo-
pie of that city, not by reason of inequality in
intelligence or true worth, but by reason OF the
accident OF birth. The adopted citizen is no lon
ger to be considered an equal, but aninferlor.---
He can pay his taxes, enrich by his labor his
adopted country, and if need Be driend her flag,
her honor, her interests, on the field of BATTLE
but he must not enjoy the rmoIuments of Office,
must not occupy positions OF pubic trust, or even
exercise the right OF suffrage except through
protracted years and much tribulation. he has
cast his lot among us, made his home in our
midst, is identified with us in feeling and inter-
est, and by all the ties which love Of country
can entwinp around the human heart, but yet,
according to this modern doctrine, he belongs to
a prescribed, degraded caste.
We have for long, long years invited the op-
pressed of every cline to our shores, extended
to them the hand Of fellowship, offered them the
protection OF the broad shield Of our constitu-
tion, to secure them in the rights and immunities
of American citizens; but all this is now to be
erected outside OF and beyond the constitution,
and stronger and higher than the fundamental
law OF the land. The great charter is to be trea-
ted dead letter, SO far as it recognizes the
equality before the law Of adopted with native
born citizens, and power alien to the consti-
tuition and laws Of the land is to be hereafter
the role OF action.
1t was assigned as among the reasons of de-
clarng our Independence, and breaking off our
allegiance to the British crown that George IL.
had endeavored to prevent the population of
/ these States, that be had obstructrd the laws
for the naturalization of foreigners, and that he
had refused TO pass laws to encourage their MI
/ grafton hither.
/ Ii such were considered among the reasons
sufficient 10 risk a doubtful and bloody war, OF
/ how much greater magnitude are those now
1 presented for the consideration of all liberal
minded men. The offence of Geo. H. was at
! least an open one. He had refused to pass laws
to encourage the emigration OF foreigners. But
the new policy is species Of deception IN
worthy OF the American character. We leave
our constitution as it is, we make no alteration
in our naturalization laws, we invite the
( faith OF these guarantees, TO be seen and read OF
all men, that they should leave their homes,
renounce allegiance to their native land, and
swear allegiance TO our own government, when
we mean that the Inducements thus held out
are mere cunning devices intended to deceive.