Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-09-21
Further TestImony-Hon. Reverdy johnson In the
Field.

Field.
We commend to the attention Of all thinking men,
the following letter from Hon. Reverdy Johnson read
at a celebration of the Anniversary of the adoption
Of the Constitution of the United States held IN the
Hall of the Maryland Institute, Baltimore, on the
18th inst. The high legal position which MIR. john
son holds will give weight to his views in regard to
the unconstitutional tendencies of the new order.
The distinguished ex-senator and ex.Attorney Cen
eral, which latter position be held under Mr.. Fill
more, cannot be treated bu, with respect. Nor can
the honorable gentleman and consistent Christian be
denied the right to express freely his opinions In re-
gard to the religious feature of the order:
BALTIMORE, Sept. IL, 1855
Gentlemen Il have yours of yesterday. Most
willingly would postpone my visit to the West and
participate in the & social reunion on the 18th if
could -but cannot. am compelled to be absent
by imperative professional engagement.
That the anniversary of the Adoption OF the Con.
sttution of the United States has not been observed
as a National Holiday have often wondered at
No event in the history of the country is more emf
nenty deserving OF it. But for that Constitution il
is not too much to say that the rights proclaimed in
the Declaration of independence, and the suferngs
and blood which maintained them, in all human
probability would have been in great fruit
less. The good and great men who framed it saw
that, without that some equivalent government
the useful Union of the United States could not be
preserved Or the prosperity and power inseparable
from such Union attained
The result of their deliberations, conducted as
these were with pure patriotism and an enlightened
spirit has made what VIC are, happy, free and
great nation. In all the elements Of social and po
lical blessings the worlds history furnishes nothing
to equal, much less to excel it. Leaving the States
respectively supreme in every matter not calculated
10 affect them collectively, and comforting upon the
General Government all powers necessary to pro-
vide for the common defense, promote the general
Welfare and secure the blessings OF liberty" it has
teen followed by prosperity, private and POLITICAL
that makes Us even in this the infancy of our exist
nce fully the equal in power with the greatest na-
;lons Of the world. and in happiness Gnd freedom
more than their equal. What we will be hereafter,
If 10 ourselves, defes calculation. The day,
therefore, the 18th Of September, which the price
less gift adopted for and presented to the North
American people, should forever. in gratitude to God
and man, be regarded consecrated to American
feedom, and observed as political Sabbath.
If this is DONE the spirit which animated those
who framed it, and breathes IN lis every line cannot
be lost to
With that impulse as our guide, however We may
differ as to the existence actual extent of partcu-
lar powers the proper foreign or domestic policy,
for which It's admitted powers should be executed it
fail properly to recognize and hold sacred the
great principle OF freedom which it includes and Sc
cures.
Equality in every political right, and absolute unre-
strcted, unquesoned enjoyment in every religious
opinion.
Except as to eligibility to the Office of President
nothing but actual citizenship without regard to ORR
gin, is required.
In vestng in Congress the power to establish an
uniform rule of naturalization, it was intended that
aliens by birth might become citizens by adoption,
and by combining the exclusion of such citizens from
the right fill the Office Of President of the United
ofhn r,crhf
place them in all other respects on an equality with
the natives.
II may be that in this stage oil our history it would
be we'll to change the existing rule. The period of
antecedent residence may be too brief and the guards
against abuse insufficient but to combine together
in any form to exclude from Office those who have
been or NAV become naturalZed under the present
rule is clear violation of the constitution as
would be a focible denial of any other ight either
OF person or property. That the wrong to be
done through the ballot box gives it excuse The
thing is IN itself at war with the constitution wholly
irrespective of the means by which it is committed
Indeed it is rather an aggravaon of it, it abuses
the sacred purpose of the franchise by converting it
into an instrument of injustice, from being as it
should be the of supporting all the rights that
the constitution confers the citizen.
But the aspect in which such combination, sue.
cessfully carried out, would present to the world,
should be matter of deep regret. 1t would prove
native Americans false to O most solemn national
ponlse-tnat holds 1ortn Inc expectation, IN words
too clear for debate OF equality of rights This after
the expectation has been acted upon in good faith by
the emgran-denies it, 1t therefore carries with it
national dishonor. 1t makes also the constitution
what it is not. 1t changes the law, which all are
equally bound to obey i'll spirit we'll as letter. and
makes for itself law
Upon the subject Of religious freedom our ances
tors Jealous that they deemed it right to Sc.
il more eectually than it thought TO be Sc
cured by the constitution at first adopted This
they did in the first Of the amendments by DENYING
to Congress the right to pass any {" law respectipg
the establishment of religion Or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof" And this they deem equally i'm.
portant the whole article shews with " freedom of
speech or of the press, the right of the people
peaceably to assemble and TO petition for redress of
grievances"
If combination TO the injury of the naturalized
citizen, merely because of his being naturalized is
improper, how much more improper, if that be pos
sible, is such combination to affect the rights of
citizen, whether native naturaliZed because mere
ly of his religious opinions?
Of the caamities which have afflicted the world
since The birth of Christ it is not less true than
strange that the most appalling have had their origin
in differences of gious doctrine. That faith which
inculcates peace on earth and good will to man has
in mans obliquty and sin frequently been the actual
OF the most shocking crueties. Abandoning
altogether the example of It's great founder man has
often attempted to teach It's mild and heavenly doc.
trines by of the fagot and the sword. If the
blood shed in these efforts could be collected would
deluge much OF the earth. If the agonies SO caused
could be now heard in united voice. it would
sare the woodland yet all has been done in the
name of mild. patient elfsacrifcing and merciful
God.
With such results, how any christian man can
doubt the duty of leaving matters of religion to be
settled between his brother and his Maker passes nv
comprehension. And then, too, what practical inf
deity Is there in any more sects assuming that