The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-08-03
MISCELLANY.
Letter of Hon. p. Phillips, of Alabama,
On the Religious Prescription
of Catholics.
WASHINGTON, July q, 1855.

My Dear Sir: readily comply with
Jour request to give you my impressions of
che last development of political events.
Nothing appears to me more interesting to
the country than the recent demonstrations
OF the "Know Nothings," at Philadelphia
and Montgomery, against the Catholics
IA their national platform they declare that
"Chrlstianity, by the constitutions Of nearly
all the States, by the decisions of the most
eminent judicial authorities, and by the
consent of the people of America, is consid-
cred an element O. our political system"
The application of this is not very apparent
But if it was intended to assert, as I pre-
sumo it was, that in the Federal Consti,u-
ton, which forms the bond of our Union,
and constitutes the political system of the
United States, there is any such clement
incorporated, either by exp preston or neces-
sary implication, then I deny the truth of
the proposition. There is nothing clearer
than that in the formation of the Constitu-
ton it was intended emphatically to exclude
all connection with any religious faith what
ever. Separation of Church and State,
eternal divorce between civil and ccclesas-
tcal jurisdiction. were cardinal principles
~ith the sages and patriots to whom not
only we, but all mankind, arc indebted for
this model Of republican government.
No, my friend; they possessed too much wis
dom and practical good sense to be content
with a mere feeble imitation Of the existing
order of things. They distinctly saw the
evil fruits which the conjunction OF polti-
cal and religious power had everywhere pro-
duced, and in the discharge Of the high du-
ty entrusted t2 them-the highest tha, man
could be charged wth-::lh,ev determined to
profit by the example, and -inaugurate a
political system" whose dominion should
be exclusively confined to the political re-
iatons Of its constituents, acknowledging
IN the eye of the law the re.fcct equality of
all sects and faiths, and leaving the whole
subject of religion, and its requirements, to
the dominion of that ILL., CHER Tribunal
which alone can search the hearts and Judge
the motives Of men. The constitution it.
self gives evidence of the soliciude felt up
on this subject, and the debates which led
to its adoption show the high tone of feel
ing that existed in the convention. When
Mr.. Pinckney reported to that body his pro-
viso, "that no religions test shall ever be re-
qdlred as qualification to any Office or
public trust under the authority of the Uni
TED States, y the only opposition he met
with was from Mr.. Sherman, who declared
it as unnecessary, the prevailing libcrality
being sufficient guarantee against such a
test" But Notwithstanding the adoption
OF this emphatic declaration, SO Jealous
were the people at that time Of any gov
ernnental interference or connection with
religion, that the first amendment to the
constitution proposed and adopted was the
additional guarantee that Congress shall
no law respecting an establishment Of make
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there
or" In those countries where Christianity
avowedly forms part of their political sys-
tenn, there also the laws define the particu.
lar form Of faith to which the government
attaches itself, and denounce the penalties
for non-conforInity. Let us once admit that
1T forms ian element of our political svs-
tem," and we should soon be called upon to
submit our consciences to Congressional die.
tation. The argument would then be not
too remote, that the Christianity intended,
was that professed by the great majority OF
the people at the formation and adoption OF
the constitution, and that this was not only
Christian but all anti Catholic Govern
ment.
1t IS in your remembrance that many
years ago large and respectable body OF
citizens petit'oned against Sunday mails.
Ihey evidently proceeded upon the idea
that this was Christian government and
that the violation Of the Christian Sabbath
was a sacrilege the government was bound
to put an end to. Congress rejected the
petition, and their action was approved, by
the country. Now, this approval colild on
ly rest upon the denial Of the proposition
thatf"C Christianity was an element of our
political system" But, my dear sir, wheth-
er rightSor wrong on this head, itsmust be
evident that the assertion of this principle
in political platform, preluded by SOL
.emn acknowledgement of that Almighty
Being who rules over the universe, and pre-
sides oyer The councils Of nations" were a
mere selfsanctifcation, intended to appeal
ID the religious feelings of the country, that
9 they might the more. easily be drawn, into
the vortex 90 political strife, and combined
for Whit is declared to Be one Of the apreat
objects of the smoyement- resistance to
the aggressive policy and scorsn2tiDg ten.
denotes ofths Roban, Ca.RolB Church s M in
our country by the adva1es cement. tosall DO
litical stations iva lsgiisIatiye, Judi.
cial,o dPlonnasc Sflloass sG5itg WHO al
not hold ciyiIsl llseianes Directly OK .indi-
reetlys 6ahy foreign power swhetkG civil
osecclss ana asss6 "a: AS americans 3byy
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