Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-22
For tie Spectator.
Religion. Freedom,

.hessrs Editors The answer. we presume
to The question, What is Religious Freedom? is
To worship God according 10 the dictates III con
science to sii under own vine and lip tree
and have none IL make us afraid.
! These principles are recognized by our Federal
| Constitution, The Dill of Rights, Ac, of Religious
| Freedom. AVID the Constitution Of Virginia. and
we presume By all Of the State Constitutions. and
! have been acted upon since the Foundation of our
government! They tolerate all srcis and demon.
inalions. project Az Yet notwithstanding these
liberal principles they are warming and projecting
yipers that would. and will il they ever gel The
power, sting them 10 death.
| That ihere is in our government thousands whu
would value the Constitution and laws that pro
lect ReHuions Freedom at less than the pa per up
on which they are written. nune, presume, will
denv. Take The Mormon on the one hand. and
The Catholic on lire other. and sill third. the
Abpliionst. The Mormon holds everything
sul ordinate to the Church-luleraies and prac-
tees polygamy as part of his religious creed
uiyes aII power into the hands of his prophet whu
is uninsured and iallible like himself. regarding
his opinions and modes OF thinking as the only
true and inialIibIe, until it may be said that the
Mormon people are under the control and dumln-
i'm of Brah Young. The Catholic is not less
extreme in his religion be acknowledges the SUI
premacy ofthe Pope, believes him to be nialU-
ble-that everything tempnraf Is sub Tdlnaie Ia
him. as well as everything spiritual. Then the
Ablitonist. who hulds the docirIne that his con-
science is higher than the Constitution and even
The Bible. and although both The Bible and Con
siliuOn recognise slavery, yet he viii abolish 1t
if it can. just so may it he with the Mormon
and The CathnlIc, although they may swear to
support laws and Constitution. yet II they come
in cOnflict with his religion or Church he will adj
here as matter Of conscience and duty TO the first
love-
These extremes are at war with civil and re-
ligI0us Liberty aEd are making inr0ads upon us
How are they TO be prevented 1t is against our
policy To make legal distinctions. Ii We were 10
do 81 our buasted religious liberty would be gone.
Yet there is a remedy. In every country there is
a sovereignty. There are things that may he done
by the sovereign head that cant well be done by
The law making power. In our country the SOW
erciguly is with The people. If this is IN evil
likely 10 stea npon us it is the duly Of the people
to look 10 it: 10 take care who they clhthe with
power 10 rule over them To let none pass the ba
lot box who hold sentiments at war with our in
stuiions. The greai po,cer Of The country is at
The ballot Doc. 1t is there thai Religious Freedom
must be protected; it is there the Constitution
and laws must be defended against those who hold
The doctrine Of 4 higher law. We should chouse
none but those who have the Constitution and laws
written upon their hearts, based as they are upon
the law of God.
We would like to know Messrs. Editors. if this
can be called proScrpllon-i 10 chouse one because
he is imbued with pure aud holy religion. who
looks nj the Constitution and laws as they we're
handed down 10 rim by his father rs his land
marks and the prosperity OF his country ash his gude
pale and refuse another who holds religious sen
imeus at war with the institutions of orr country.
who would upon the plea Of conscience violate
them, or be willing 10 have written in their stead
the DEGREES Of the Mormon prophet, The bulls Of
the Pope. or the recognition OF slavery boied out
/ glory in such prescription.
FRIEND OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.