The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-11-06

it has discarded without regret all such men as John
Van Buren,
THE VALUABLE TEACHINGS or THE CONFLICT
WITH PRESCRIPTION.
when war upon religious opinions was announced as
the slogan Of ptoscriptiro party the democracy of the
United States II animated by instant instinct which
thrilled through its ranks, proclaimed its opposition to
prescription from end of the country 10 the other "
there was eagfness III declaring this War there was also
eagerness in denouncng it. 1t is not surprising that the
proscrponss should at first be tempted by the fair pros
poets held their scheme is surprising that the
scheme itself should excite temporary favor, and win
temporary 1t was admixture of simulated
patriotism aud noisy preensons TO pety and thousands
were attracted it because of these two features The
mass Of those who went into it at first were doubtless sim
cere but the prompude with which the democratic party
took the field against them aroused their establishment
and their sober reflection AT the moment the issue of the
was presented and accepted owing to the
success with which progressive measures had been carried
forward by the democracy it the injurious and ia
miliar cry Of certain opposition leaders that the diff
ference between the old parties had been nearly ex-
tinpuished Some such ordeal this issue presented
to the popular mind was needed, therefore, to revive
among the American masses The distinctive and essen
tial necessity of democratic principles to our welfare
as free people. We may look back from this stand
point over the two years past and gone and TRANQUILITY
weigh the ncalculabe advantages which this ordeal has
conferred , and while we may wonder that such pro-
scrp,ion should ever hare been advocated in such con
try as ours we may congratulate ourselves that its fall has
been more rapid if possible than its rise In all times,
whenever religou sentiments have come into collision in
haeh leDress-
ing upon human Improvement and morals. Our own
country much as ii had suffered from occasional anati-
cism frequently as it had been divided BY sudden excite
ments growing of humanitarian movements, had yet
to encounter the crisis of formal crusade organized in
every State led by energetic inelecs and inamed by
plausible and unserupulous arguments against single
uious sect For years before this anatical epidemic
burst upon u.s. the contingency of such event was
tcipated with dismal forebodng by many of first
statesmen The storm broke out and after brief period
during which seemed to riot in the destruction OF much
that was sacred and valuable it has spent its force and
the atmosphere is all the purer and clearer from the con-
aict Of the political elements Men who joined in this
crusade quietly contemplate the error which they
committed and they desire consolation in the midst OF
their repentance they can see that threatening as was the
first visit of intolerance has really contributed to add
monsh and TO strengthen Inc champions % ee iheu
tons.
federation in country like this is msnomer. There
is no such thing liberation in the sense understood by
the proscrpiioniss Government has no right to grant
liberation any particular set Of religious opinions; for
if ii has such right it has also the right to take them
away "What man. says writer of great distinction,
body of men, has the right to tell me do not think
Alright on religious subjects but we will tolerate your
error? The answer is most obvious one. Who gave
you authority dictate what exclusive claim have you
to infalbility2 If my sentiments do not lead me into
conduct inconsistent with the welfare of my fellowcrea
lures the question their accuracy alacy is between
God and my conscience and though fair subject for
argument, is for compulsion.h
The great boast Of the United States has been that
the only nation upon the face Of the earth in which the
principle here stated has been fairly and constantly en-
forced Now bad this party which the democracy is rap
idly crushing in every State of the Union not been
crushed out we should unquestonaby bave lost much of
our position before the enlightened nations of the earth
and even as it is have gone back immensely in the es
timation of many who have held up our institutions
as an example the oppressed and admoniton to
the oppressor. But have said, some such prac-
teal and severe essential to prove to
kind that the doctrine of perfect equality, religious
and political these Shores not merely written in
our laws and spoken from the lips of our statesmen,
but that il was part of the daily practice Of peo-
pie and that it could be denied than we
could deny land and air and light to the emigrant who
came from abroad dwell and to die among is at
this point Of the struggle that we appeal proudly and de-
family 10 the judgment of civilized and Christian nations
to render their verdict
We have met the foe organized in midst armed
with all the weapons of bigotry and have utterly and
as we think, forever defeated him. Well may say
In the language of Sidney Smith:
awe have fairly and completely and probably forever,
extpgushed that spirit of religious persecution which has
been employ and the mankind for four
centuries: only that persecution which imprisons
and courges for religious opinions but the tyranny of inca
pacitaon, which, by dsqualfying from civil office good
man, from wiIfu motives OF objection endeavors to
gle gious freedom in silence and TO enjoy all the advan
ages without the blood and influence and force Of
ton"
And when say this speak in proud praise of the
democratic party for this undying laurel should be en-
twined around The column Of democratic victories as tho
enduring trophy Of its most brilliant achievement Two