Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-07-18
MR.. RAYNER-"Now AND THEN"

NIX. RAYNER-"NOW AND THEN"
In our old Constitution the 82d article contained
vision that emo who shall deny the being of God
or the truth of the Protestant religion shall be capable
holding Office place profit the civil
partment within this State"
In the Convention called to amend the Constitution in
1885, this article altered by striking the word
Totest0t and inserting Christian in its place This amend
ment was voted for by Mr. Rayner;
adoption IN elaborate speech, which has lately
published the ground that the sgd Stood
established religious test, whereby Catholics excu
ded from Office
Mr. Rayner in his speech quotes from the Constitution
OF the uusd Staes-"no religious test shall be re-
qured as qualification to office public trust under
the United States and further Congress shall make
law respecting the establishment of religion prohibiting
exercise thereof and he declared the existing
provision in our Constitution in opposition these
provisions of the Constitution United States and
III conflict with the spirit of the age"
MI Rayner now occupies, think, very different
posltlon-a position directly the opposite that which
occupied IN the Convention of 1885, Yet speech made
by him recently Raleigh he denied this and said we
are correctly informed that he would if the question
presented tomorrow which presented in 1885, take tie
same ground and gige the he did then and vet
the next day at election he would suppose according
to his present teachings and pledges against Cath
Ole for any office.
1t resolves ITSELF then this: Mr. Rayner would not
by haa0, exclude from holding office for
of his religious opinions only. Why? Because it would
be wrong Mr. Rayner, do such reason.
1t would be establishing religious tes-it would be
conflict with the spirit of the age"
But yet, says Mr. Rayner it right exclude this
by votes, and to form combinations secret
bound orders to do it, whatever his honesty integrity
capacity may be-whether Gaston fancy, Manly.
Why? The must be- because he is Catholic-be-
cause he does not up the religious test established
by the ORDER
Now pray, Mr. Rayner where is the difference in exclu-
ding from Office whole men, simply religious
he be by L0aCo f he land
by Tar of the order" Is it morally the same and
practically the same?
"Strange such difference there should be
Twixt tWeedle dunn and tweedIe dee
But say Mr. Rayner and the Know Nothings no has
light to complain that he is elected to Office by
fellow citizens, that he voted against of his
religious belief any other cause-ths does not inter
fere with the free enjoyment of his religion.
But what said this Mr.. Rayner in his Convention
speech? But it is said if the Catholic is excluded from
office that will not deprive him of the right of worshippng
God according to the dictates of his conscience. Sir
the right of worshpping Cod free from all personal pains
and penalties, ght which be enjoyed in any
country in Chrstendom-an exclusion from tile honor the
pts, and eaaouents Of tile State is tile highest persecution
ecc public c"io" s0iH tolerate in any Christian country
IN this enlightened Gge.'
No doubt of it, Mr. Rayner. And if there be any differ
morally speaking the sight of God and all honest
in doing such thing openly and boldly by law by
combinations and associations opposition TO the spirit of
the existing law making it dead letter. it is that the latter
is the of the
Mr. RayIer again, after much eloquent denuncation of
all such persecution says Mr. Chairman, for
ready this crisis know not how may affect my
political prospects hereafter but this much do know that
the path of duty shall be to the path of pleasure
rely support upon the virtue and beray CT the people
will my constituents, and their magnanimy
will appeal will appeal to their intelligence to their
generosity, and to their devotion to liberty, &C."
Now what pity it is that Mr. Rayner does not adhere to
these brave resolutons We need say how much
respectable he would appear in the sight of all whose good
opinion worth having Then he the young champion
of religious bertnow he stoops TO the lowest tricks of
the demagogue and with his hands would eight the
torch of religious persecution
But enough of this. Some may say that bestow-
ing notice Mr.. Rayner than he deserves. All
that he is doomed and desperate politically He
is but type however, of his order; and in exposing him.
expose them. Had he not assumed place himself in
lead in this State should not have troubled
selves about his position individually.