The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-07-25
Letter Of Hon. p. Phillips, of Ala,
On the Religious Prescription Of

WASHINGTON, July 4, 1856.
MY DEAR Sin: l readily comply with
| your request TO give you ffy Impressions OF
the last development ofpoftical events.
Nothing appears to me more interesting to
the country than the recent demonstrations
Of the Know-Notbings" at Philadelphia
and Montgomery, against the Catholcs. In
their national platform, they declare that
Christianity, b. the constitutions OF nearly
all the States, bv the decisions of the most
eminent judicial authorities, and by the con-
sent OF the people of America, is consider
ed IN element of our political system"
The application of this, is not very appa.
rent. Butif 1t was intended to assert, as l
presume it was, that in the Federal Consti.
tuition, which forms the bond of our Union,
and constitutes the political system of the
United States, there is any such element in
corporated, either by expression or pecessa-
ry implication, then deny the truth of the
proposition. There is nothing clearer than
that in the formation Of the Constitution Il
was intended emphatisaly to exclude all
connection with any religious faith what
ever. Separation Of Church and State,
eternal divorce between civil and ecclesias-
tical jurisdiction, were cardinal principles
with the sages and patriots 10 whom not
only we, but all mankind, are indebted for
this model Of republican government.
No, my friend they possessed too much
wisdom and practical good sense, to be con-
tent with a mere feeble imitation Of the ex-
isting order of things. They distinctly
saw the evil limits which the conjunction of
political and religious power had every-
where produced, and in the discharge of the
high duty intrusted to them-the highest
that mar could be charged with-they de-
termined to profit by the example, and in
nugurate political SYSTEM" whose do
miniou should be exclusively confined to
the poli.ical relations Of its constituents.
acknowledging in the eye Of the law, the
perfect equality of all sects and faiths, and
leaving the whole subject of religion, and
its requirements, to the dominion Of that
Higher Tribunal which alone can search
the hearts and Judge the motives Of men.
The constitution itself, gives evidence of
the solicitude felt upon this subject, and the
debates which led TO its adoption, show the
high tone Of feeling that existed in the con-
vention. When Mr. Pinckney reported to
that body his proviso, 4" that no religious
test shall ever be required as qualification
TO any Office or public trust under the pu-
thority of the United States" the only OPP
position he met with was from Mr.. Sher-
man, who declared Il rs unnecessary, the
prevailing liberality being sufficient guar.
antee against such test" But notwith.
standing the adoption of this emphatic de.
claration, so jealous were the people at that
time of any governmental interference OF
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amendment to tho constitution proposed
and adopted, was the additional guarantee
that Congress shall make no law respect.
ing an establishment Of religion, or pro.
hib:ting the free exercise thereof" In
those countries where christianity ayowed.
~ forms part Of their political system
there also the laws define tho par,icula,
form Of faith to which the Government NJ
, taehes itself, and denounce the penalties 70,
non-conformity. Let US once admit that II
forms" an element of our political system :
and we should soon be called upon to sub,
{ NIT our eonsciences 10 Congressional die.
tation. The argument would then be no,
too remote, that the christianity intended
was that professed by the great majority oi
the people at the formation and adoption Of
the constitution, and that this was not op)y
christian, but an anti Catholic Govern.
: ment.
IL Is In your remembrance that many
years ago, large and respectable body Of
citizens petitioned against Sunday mails
} They evidently proceeded upon the idea
that this was christian Government, and
that the violation of the christian Sabbath
was sacrilege the Government was bound
to put IN end to. Congress rejected the
petition, and their action was approved by
the country, Now,th approval could only
rest upon the denial OF the proposition that
christianity was an element of our politi-
cal system." But, my dear sir, whether
, right or wrong on this head, Il must be eyi.
dent that the assertion Of this principle In Z
political platform, preluded by a. solemn
acknowledgement Of that Almighty BEING
who rules over the universe, and presides
over the councils OF nations,r was mere
sell sanctiRcation, inteoded to appeal 10 the
!, religious feelings Of the country, that they
might the more easily be drawn into the
vortex Of political strife, and combined for
what Is declared to be one Of the great OBJ.
jects Of the movement" resistance TO the
aggressive policy and coirupting tendencies
Of the Roman Catholic Church in our eoun.
try by the Advancement to all political sta
tiona--executive, legislative, judicial, or di.
plosnatic--of those only who do not hold
civil allegiance, directly or indirectly, to any
foreign power, whether civil or ecclesiasti-
cal, and who are Americans by birth, edu.
cation. and training" i