The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-29


announced il the object OF this communication TO
show that all The proceedings OF the general government
in reference TO religion perft cy consistent with The
constitution aud with the fundamental principles OF
publican government
II is neediul 10 dwell upon and enforce this truth il
is needul ths il should be understood, believes and
recognised lest The State be led dsown The Bible and
The God 10 whom II owes all lis prosperity and power
Oar government has been too sensitive the clamo
which finds union of Church and State, and subiec
ton OF the civil 10 prestiy power every acknowledge
nent OF God by government and in every association of
religious services with public acts The consequence il,
that il now hesitates 10 do many things which i did
questioned and unbalanced We have seen what solemn
religious services gave sacred mpressveness to the
guraon OF the first President of The United States Now
that most important OF all national ceremopieslhal
which the momenous consequences depend, and
which, above ALL we need 10 secure Gods blessings
performed without word OF prayer or praise God
We have seen how readily The Congress and the Pfes
dent recommended to the people OF the United States OBJ
serve days OF humiliation and fasting OF thanksgiving
and prase 10 Almighty God The custom has long since
ceased Some few years since, the clergy OF the District
OF Columbia addressed request 10 the then President Of
the United States. through the Secretary OF State Mr.
Webster, memorable occasion OF national disaster,
praying him to recommend day OF humiliation and Of
prayer TO The people OF the United States that
should be thought aexpedlent, 10 the people OF the Dis
trIc Mr. Webster highly approved the suggestion. and
drew up form for such proclamation; but moi
issued the people oil the United States nor even 10 the
District Of Columbia. the ground that there might be
Jew, Turk, intidel within the miles square 10
whom i might be d,s,as'eu II this spirit s to prevail.
ored and dsowned by the nation which He has
showered His choicest blessings
II is important that The idea should again lake it's old
place IN the public mnd, and heart and conscence that
God may be owned and hoaored by the State that Chris
aniy may be recognised and favored by the
and that all this may be done not only without any viola
ZION OF the principles OF the constitution, but in the very
spirit of the falners BY whom il prepared and under
The impulse OF an enlightened and patriotic regard to the
rights, the Liberties, the peace. the prosperity, and the
happiness OF The land This point propose to prove.
1t already sufficiently appears that the express provs
ions OF The consultation have not been violated BY any
action OF The government, hitherto in reference 10 Ie
gion. No religious test has been nstuiedno RELIGIOUS
establishment mas been creaiedno religious Liberty has
been abridged.
But il BY conended that the spirit Of the con-
suiion is violated and The real principles OF republi
can government dsregarded, BY such OF
ton and acknc Nedgment OF Christianity the govern
from the beginning has baen accustomed to bes,ow
Others contend that in the employment OF chaplains at
the public expense the constitution Is directly violated
Let us Sec.
II is evident that the majority of the people OF
this county are Christians IN opinion and feeling Now,
it is characteristic OF republican government II is al.
together IN harmony with its spirit, that the prevailing
WILL and mind and character OF lhe people should ap-
pear and express themselves and through its govern.
nent Not only does the will OF the majority mbody itself
IN but character and spirit and temper OF
the majority express themselves freely, spontaneously,
and unrebuked The language and in the general policy
OF the government so long as tviostes constitutional
PROVISIONS and rights laws OF States citizens.
We energetic people, and energy breaks forth
| ia the language ard deeds OF government We
progressive people, and that spirit speaks through our
legislation We are an inventive people, and that eplIi,
finds expression through the public institutions oil the
land, Enher in the form Of express enacments. which
are in harmony with The fundamental law, or 10 lis
general Language and bearing, that which the pfeyar
ing spirit OF people will find lis spon and
free expression through It's government Tue Christian
sentiment and feeling OF the people OF hs county, ike
every other prevailing characteristic, ind expression
through The government OF the country. Aud why,
when II violates aa, should not This hishes, aud
nobest principle and feeling give itself Tree and glad
rresslonf We are yet a Christian people We remem-
Der fathers God We trace civil liberties 10 the
freedom whefemiih Christ made our ia hers free We
owe our country sod our institutions wiih Chrs,ans
love We have an abiding CONVICTION OF The Truth which,
the great Father Of bis Country bequeathed u, thai
the only security Tor Liberty is TO be found ia The
aIlly which rests upon religion.
/ And now, ask, II he is true republican who tells
US that this greatest sentiment, and strongest conviction
and HOLES, feeling OF ie nelos heart shall have no ex
pressioo ~ the national government What shall The
spirit OF enterprise ard adventure speak through the
eculiye, and it lis clarion voice the halls OF leg sa,
uon and stretch out s hand 10 gasp the vi Dorado
OF The West and lay s irop path and speed It's iron
and seich It's whispering wire IRON sea TO seashall
all this partial and scattered and Temporary feeling
force sel through national institutions, and stall
the permanent deep-sealsd widespread Christian prnci.
| pie OF The land speak through them never
| No! This cannot be he has claim 10 the charac
ter of true republican who wonId have il When
the goyernm nj recognises Christianity and conmends
religion 10 It's citizens, and observes The Christian Sab.
bath, and provides religious services Tor those in
ployment, eyempl6es tho very spirit OF true republl.
eanism; for 1t shows Difference 10 the feelings princi
pies and wishes OF majority OF lis citizens They who
would have The government om such action would sub
| lect the many 10 TIE nc,siiou OF The few
but il has been commended thai in the point OF
ployng and paying OF Congress and OF tue army
and navy, The government violates the constitution, To-
asmoeh approprsies the public money directly 10
lpsy ministers OF religion far religious services. Ere.
queni memorials are sent ~ 10 Congress praying that
hese Offices may be abolished the ground that
lsbsbed cbapiainshp IL grievous many consci-
ences established church that this il, in fact,
that AID or endowment oil particular religion, Chrsti-
any which. according 10 OF the definitions OF JUDI
Story, union OF Church and Siate that the general
government is established only for certain specified puf
poses. among winch the promotion OF religion. and the
support Of s institutions. ADD the employment of ~
ses not found and that, therefore, u should have
nothing to say do upon The subject They conclude
that all reference 10 res and ali connexion OF its
wees with the government and especially all support
payment for such services, should cease.
Now by The aid OF theght which have already OBJ
tanned upon this subject lei what force there IN
these representations.
We have seen that the Christianity OF people may
government, not only without any violation Of bot IN
complete harmony with, the principles and the spirit OF
our republican institutions We have seen that in all
those other rscognilions and Acknowledgements of Chris
isny which have been made BY government, except in
this OF the institution OF cbapains, has not In the
1 constitution. has II done by The appointment and
support OF chaplainsl II il obvious to remark. in the
fret place. that the constitution has where forbidden
their appointment. and that thosc who framed H. pre-.
vious, aud during, and subsequent Va s formation APP
poniei and employed them As they existed in The
army and navy and Congress pnor he adoption OF the
constitution, ii is obvious that in the absence OF any
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