The true Democrat., 1854-12-06
MO-. s.

prayer meetings, nor any right to attempt by violai t1l vote to constrain the minority against .helr rehglous opinions to submit to such an lncongruous intermirture of nolitical and rei- glous concerns. ConseouentIy. have no rightto appolnt ministers of religion. nor priests of any Kind or denomination to say pravers ar to ner- form any other kind of religious services for the Legislature.
 oee to what extreme absurdties and to what reVoltlng results, concession of the power in question would lead-the exercise of mower bv which the Legislature to employ chaplains to perform religious worship not being authorized by the constitutional laws, is altogether an as- sumed power, originating in the bear will of the Legislature, 1t has no limit of time nlace nor extent, dependent on the Legislative will It Is as uncertain and unstable as the fuctuat. ing opinions of different men, at different times who might i'll their turn assume authority to Legslate on religious matters being subjected to Legislative wilt can be altered at any time, moulded to any shape, directed to any object, and used for any purpose and carried un- der religious and moral pretence to any extent to which the Legislature according to their good Will and pleasure, may from time to time think proper to dictate.
 If the right of the Legislature to appoint chaplalns to pray, were to be admitted the right to employ them to preach and sing psalms. could not be denied-all are religious devotions, by the like assumed authority; by which the Legislature employs chaplains to pray at one time, they could employ them to do the like or any other religious service at any other time -On Sunday as well as on any other day. and at one place as we'll as another. If in the Le. gslative Halls, why not in the various court rooms through bout the State. If in the form of prayer, why not in any other manner.
 What then could prevent them from assum- ng authority to direct and regulate religious worship throughout the State-the precedent for such a measure is before them and can be followed with as legal and with as much pro- priety.
 Alter showing that the Legislative power, to associate religious devotion with purposes for which the Legislature have no constitutional right, your committee will repeat, if the Le- gsIature have right to grant the public mo- ney to such officers for religious services per- formed for the Legislature within the door of the Hall of Legislation, they have equally as good assumed authority to grant like pay for like services performed out of the bales of the Legislative chamber.
 And as the will and pleasure of the Legislature
 
 proceedings against which your committee are reasoning, the same authority with the same pro- pnety might with equal justice grantper diem pav for religious services performed under Lagisla- tive auspices any whre else in the State. and bv the exercise of power which would be as right fully assumed in all cases as in the appoint ment of single plain-might honor all the clergy of the State with the office.
 In ODpOSitiOn tO thn viaw wbiob ,,orr oo,,, mlttee have taken of the subject of the present report may again, as with like intent 1t often has been said the United States are a nation of christians, that christianity is the law of the land, and that all are infdels who disbeIeye this law or oppose it. Were it true that chris tlanlty, as such is the law of the land, because majority of the people are professed chris tlans, It would be indispensable that every indi- vldual should know what christianity is, because all ought to know the law, who are required to obey It. It would then become essencal to ascertain what particular creed of the various different christian sects Is to be respected as the law ot the land, and by which all others would be held as lIle9aI-but to many honest and sim cere professors of rel ion, it ought to be a source of felcitation that the kingdom of Christ IS not of this world, and that the pre- cepts and doctrine of Jesus is not the law of the land, for were they so prayers in public places would be interdicted and suppressed and men would be commanded when they pray to enter their closets and shut the door, and pray in secret. And those who profess to be sent by God to go throughout the earth, and teach the Gospel to every creature without money, and without price, would not be allowed by law to take pay for prayers, nor would the people be taxed to pay for religious services.
 Your committee deem 1t proper to recom- mend the adoption of the following resolution:
 GEORGE ". HENSAN, Chairman.
 Res0lve1 That all Legislation on religion, other than pursuant to the constitution, to se- cure to all mankind without discrimination or preference, the free and unmolested enjoyment ot the right of opinion and free decision is un- just, unauthorized and unconstitutional.