Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-02-07
Religious Liberty Abroad.


tual existence of contrary condition. We haze
known il as a historical fact. that IN other eonn
tries. where the principles Of human freedom are
less understood, and religious establishments are
upheld hy positive law. men cannot, a. with as
sit, each "under his vine and tg-iree, with
none to modest or make him afraid But none
extended intercourse with the world-the ineess-
ant intermingling of men Of every nati"n ut
the bidding of interest or Of pleasure, have
taught that c,nstraint of conscience any 'ehtrs
is a grievance to ourselves.
So strongly has this fact pressed upon our com
mercial population. that the 9th ulfimo, a
large meeting was held in Nev York, under the
auspices of the American aud Foreign Christian
Union. ''for the purpose Of expressing their sense
of the propriety of protecting American citizens
in foreign lands, in the full enjoyment rights
of conscience and Of Worship" The lit of Of
ficers comprise the names of men of the hrst
rank. The gentlemen who addressed the meet
ing we're such as Dudley Field, the Rev. Stuart
Robinson, and Rev. l.. NJ. Kirk Of Boston, and
letters of sympathy were read from Everett.
Lawrence. Winthrop an1 Wise. The statement
of facts, which was read to explain the objects
of the meeting shows;the subject to be one
in Cuba, with which Island our relations So
intimate. in Mexico. in Central America, many of
the South American States, Italy, Austria, Spain
and Portugal. an American citizen not only has
no place where he can worship God according TO
his conscience, save in the Chapel of Legation
but that he cannot bury his dead, except in con.
formity with ritual repsgnent to his feelings
and conscience. if at ALL without mourning the
severest penalties of law.
The resolutions adopted urge upon the govern
meut the propriety of interposing, not by free.
but by negotiation and remonstranee, 10 procure
for US that liberty which accord 10 all the
world Dignity and moderation mark all the
proceedings. The resolutions offered in tie
Senate year ago by Mr.. Underwood were en-
dorsed, by which he proposed that in all future
treaties provision should be made for securing
to American citizens, in foreign parts, immnni-
ty from molrstation account of religious be-
lief, the liberty TO worship undsturbed in chapels,
or their own houses. and the right to provide
burial places, and bury their dead with the cere-
monies deemed appropriate by their surviving
friends.
The mt vement strikes most appropriate
one; not only because it looks to the removal Of
agreat personal grievance 10 such of our citizen,
as may be abroad in Unofficial character. bu
because it looks to the extension, by the egif
mate of remonstrance and negotin
ton, of the great principles Of human liberty
and adds to its intrinsic persuasiveness the mora
force of national sanction. This would mo-
fail to exert its influence at home as we'll as n
broad; and while il might serve in some measur,
TO bring Immediately before the eyes of thos,
who strangers to liberation, practical illus
tratons of it, might raise up barrier in tn,
way of those organs of ecclesiastical despotsm
which are seeking to Undue the minds of ON,
class of our own people with the most slavisl
principles When journal as able as the orgal
Of Archbishop Hughesasserts, Us if in defiance
and maintains by argument, that 1.-THE liberty o
heresy and unbelief is not a natural right" an,
when controversialists assertif the church shonl,
declare that the constitution, and every exist
ence Of this or any other country, should be ex
tinguished, il is solemn ordinance of God him
self, and every good Catholic would he bound un
der penalty of the terrible punishment pro
nounced against the disobedient, 10 obty:" an
when these sentiments are echoed from beyon,
the Mssissippby the shepherd of the Nnlle, :
tSt. LOUISE procisiming that ''if Catholics ea
gain an immense numerical majority. religion
freedom in this country is at an end--so our en-
emies say, md we believe" we say when tn
leading journals of any numerous sect maintai
such doctrines it is time people anl on
Government should again pronounce upon tn
question, and with emphasis.
We have fear that Brownson will endang,
the stability Of our institutions, but for the snk
of those who mostly influenced by these i,u
nails men who were not brought up to believe
liberation. and " 70 have brought hithcr crude n,
tons of the grea principles which underie ou
system. it is well that their agitation, in ship
calculated to attract the attention of the worl,
should provoke enquiry. 1t would seem strane
that right regarded by all independent thinker,
as among the dearest, should have been who'll
overlooked by the great founders of Information,
law If it be true TINT the basis of that science
too narrow upon this point but its silence ma
be indicated. We believe liberty of conseienc
to be a right strictly inaiienaJie, and the onl
one which is Every other is, in some degre,
subordinated to the will of the community. Lii
is taken by Judicial sentence; personal liberty
curtailed to protect society from crime; and II
can pursue his individual happiness at til
expense of his neighbours legal rights but in n
case can the religious belief and mode of worshi
Of one be, per Sc, an injury TO another.
Bat while liberty of conscience is thus techn
caly perfect right, between the indvidu,
and the community of which he is member,
may be far otherwise between that commuu
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