The daily union., 1854-10-25
GOVERNOR BIGLER ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
AND POLITICAL PRESCRIPTION.

fore the late election;
Certain strange political dogmas have recently been pre-
sented for public consideration and which would seem TO
demand than passing notice. mean the doctrine
of the recently elected mayor OF the city OF Philadelphia
that citizen born out OF the country should not oe trust
ed with civil office and the still extraordinary enets
of political faith held by certain secret organization
which it is said materially aided in elevang this mnc-
uonary to power .
political ends believe in the language of George Wash
ingon that all such associations are LIKELY m Me course
of and things 10 become potent engines by ph'ch cunning
ambitious and uprncpd men W be enabiedto subce ne
pouer of the people, and 10 usp for Themselves me re'ns
government destroying atterseard The oey engines phch
lifted them to unjust dominion
believe in the wisdom and justice of the language OF
the constitution of the United States that declares mo re
ligous shall be required qualification TO any
Office or public trust under Me United States and in the
declaration of the bill Of rights in our own Common
wealth. that 'dH haze natural and fndedstoe right
uorship almighty God according 10 The dictates Of their
on conscience )" that sno human authority can, IN any case
whateper control interfere p the rights Of conscience and
preference shall be geen by lar 10 any religious sab
lisent modes Of ,corshp and in the further declara-
ton that person who acknowledges the beig Of God
and future state Of re,oards and punishment shall ae-
count Q his religious sentiments be disqualified TO hon any
office on place Of f-por profit under this Commonwealth
believe these instruments Of fundamental law, as they
are should be maintained and Justly administered by all
men in civil authority Indeed, it is difficult to imagine
how any to administer these paramount laws
could feel warranted in stepping over the bounds OF their
distinct terms and establishing rules Of action in direct
violation of the guarantees and mmuntes which they
every citizen Citizens, according 70 the terms OF
the constitutions all akehcy egtiled to equal
protecon-tO equal rghtsto equal immunlties and no
man who pretends to just administration OF the laws
should attempt the hghhanded nsurpaton of constituting
citizens suit his caprice and TO lay down as rule or
action that the accident of birth should deprive Amer
citizen Of the enjoyment of the full immunites and
privileges guaranteed him by the constitution A more
naoabe idea never entered the mind Of any American
sategnian. ! would not say this because ! believe any
class of people wherever born whatever their religion
have any right class egps Demonstration to de-
lDE,.n hnnnr
ment The democracy of this country never have nor ho-o
viii recognise any srch demand But taking the consi'-
tuition guide and rule q acton they will maintain
the ust rights of all citizens leaving eac to depend upon
his own ueta and qualifications for Office enloqpaents
and honor This bold 10 he The true doctrine on this
question.
tries can become citizens Of the United States and enjoy
the benefits free institutions be wrong that our
fsnlt 1t not the German the Welchman, the Eng
lisbmaI the rshman, the Polander, who made these
conditions. They Es3 the work of American statesmen
They stand sanctioned by rIeofsc Washington Thomas
Jefferson and other illustroh fathers OF Qua 2nbic we
held out the aurng invitation TO the people or orndt
countries aoe here accept our conditions and become
American citizens Nor Were we slow 70 impress upon the
world the peculiar benefits of our nstIprs Ddeed we
boasted of land of civil and regiOua iberyoi or
asy um for the oppressedwhere every man could ENJOY
the high dignity of segovernment, and the nestimaoe
privilege of worshippng God agreeaby to the dictates OF
conscence Thus invited many OF oil countries, aud
of oil sccs Of proegsng Christians Some have been with
us since the days Of .he reouton for half ces-
period They have contributed by their industry ad skill
the development of the resources OF our compon cou
try and have assisted in its defence others have felea
the forest aud cultivated the soil and have added 10 the
general prosperity of the country Others have advanced
the co1lmercia manufacturing and mechanical interests
the natio oteE have adorned the pulpit and The
bar They have assisted TO py ha taxes and to light our
battles and shall the sacred coyeilapf Enc thus
made with these people DC violated by the power q,
and nsdious combination tlat overrdes the
constitution Shall the faith Of our fathers, plight
AZ
Rght-Iq.RSed men of all parties must respond no! No
such immortality and E3itical wrong should be permitted
tarnsh the fame of America. ,rom the long past days
of the revolution there is renscence thar p24ss in elo
queut against this proposed ero From the shaqe5
Of Mount VernonfrSn the grave OF Laayette-irom the
heights where Montgomery el=iFom the once bloody
fields where Pulaski and De Kab gave up their lives
there up solemn rcmonstrance against the proposed
wrong. would not say this nor the weakest sentiment
Of it, for the matter of office to this class OF citizens
he gage Of office TO them is of small Importance but 1t is
the deep dislono l 5uch violent measures would niic
upon country that indnce thus to sneak II would
be the loss of civil place that woBic aiict
adopted citizens but 10 would be the hnmiaou OF bag
designated "A class of whom IL should be said they
to be trusted with civil place This is the idea that
would mo2t wound their pride and excite their indgna
ton There aoug-t those who in the want of full
appreciation Of institutions aL3 customs deport
themselves give for complaint but tesc facts
afford no sufficient ground for violating the Institutions
of the country IT is simply cowardly to acknowledge
danger from suc Rourco, and the avowal OF 1t is
poor compliment 10 the strength OF onr government
associations accomplish political ends, and 70 al 9b
legations which embarass the rae exercise of the elective
franchise that may be calculated to prejudice the
uty of the jurybox. | deprccate as most mschieyous
those political enets which in their beral and nole-
spirit would go behind the swaddlng clothes Of the
infant and pry into the cousccnces of 90 S the test
for cigil Office
Has Il eyl1 occurred 10 those who have boughtlessy ey-
pounded this doctrie ia the practical application of
it be at the very Threshold by ipsprmounable
difficulties Is this attempt TO excite class cf profess
ing Christians against another eypedent of willy
politicians accomplish their selfish ends ia It in
tended a great radical change in the institutions of our
country If the latter be the real idea will he perceived
that the FIRST step nnst be unity of Church and State How
else con these dogas be redced 20 practice Their
advocates get possession of the civ goYenmcnt
must change the Fundamental laws Of the land and then
bring the power Of the government TO bear matters of
religious belief and church organization; and when one
denomination of protesting Christians shall have been pun
shed into purity eccording to the notions Of this new
power then another the mos needing correction would
be taken up and so on nntl all yegSus denominations
would be made to accord to Fixed standard by ha force
law In my opinion by the sie ibis Sdnhe3rim shooid
have passed all denominations in review, the Christian
spirit of the nation would be prostrsed and the inhde
sprjt be predomnating.
Who will haze the bodness TO undertake work Of this
magnitnde2 No one vepture 20 say, OF all the who
in an evil hour have embraced this nerey be found
who will assume great responsibility Such attempt
could IL be made would be well calculated to awaken