The true Democrat., 1855-10-16
Reverdy Johnson and George M
 Dallas on Know Nottingham


 lowing letters from Hon. GEORGE M. DALLAS and Hon. REvERDY JOHNSON, addressed to the executive committee of the constitutional ami. versary celebration, held in Philadelphia on the 10th Sept, 1855:
 Baltimore, September II, 1855. GENTLEMEN: I have yours of yesterday Most willingly would postpone my visit tc the west, and participate in the "re-unon" on the 17th if I could but cannot. I am com- peled to be absent by an imperative profes- sional engagement
 That the anniversary of the adoption of the constitution of the United States has not been observed as a national holiday, I have often wondered at. No event in the history of the country is moro eminently deserving oft. But for that constitution, 1t Is not too much to say, that the rights proclaimed in the declaration of independence, and the sufferings and blood which maintained them. in all human probabli- 1 ty, would have been in great measure fruit less. The good and great men who framed it, saw that without that or some equivalent go- vernment, the useful Union of the United States could not be preserved, or the prosperity and power inseparable from such Union, at tained.
 The result of their deliberations, conducted as they were, with pure patriotism and an enlie htened spirit, has made us what we are happy, free and great nation. In all the ele- ments of social and political blessings, the worlds history furnishes nothing to equal, much less to excel it. Leaving the States respective lv supreme in every matter not calculated to affect them collectively, and conferring upon the general government all powers necessary to | Joc,, otef1 general welfare, and secure the blessings of li- berty," it has been followed by a prosperity, private and political that makes us even in this tbe infancy of our existence, fully the equal ln power with the greatest nations of the world, and in happiness and freedom, more than their equal What we will be hereafter, if true to ourselves, defies calculation. The day, there- fore, the 17th of September, on which the price, less gift was adopted for and presented to the North American people, should forever, i'll gra- titude to God and man, be regarded as conse- crated to American freedom, and observed as a political Sabbath.
 If this is done, the spirit which animated those who framed it, and breathes in its every line. cannot be lost to us.
 With that impulse as our guide, however, we may differ as to the existence or actual extent of particular powers, or the proper foreign or domestic policy, for which its admitted powers should be executed, it cannot fail properly to recognize and hold sacred the great principle of freedom which it includes and secures. Of these, there are two of incalculable value equality in every political right and absolute, unrestricted, unquestioned enjoyment in every religious opinion.
 Except as to the eligibility to the office of President, nothing but actual citizenship, with out regard to origin, is required.
 In vesting in Congress the power ''to estab fish an uniform rule of naturalization" 1t was intended that aliens by birth might become ci- tizens by adopton and by confnng the exclu. sion of such citizens from the right to fill the office of President of the United States, and from no other right, it was designed to place them in all other respects on an equality with the na- tives.
 It may be that in this stage of our history it would be well to change this 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 may become naturalized under the present rule, is as clear a violation of the constitution as would be a for cible denial of any other right, either of person or property. That the wrong is to be done through the ballot-box, gives it no excuse.- The thing is in itself at war with the consttu- tion, wholly irrespective of the means by which it is committed. Indeed it is rather an aggravation of it, as it abuses the sacred pur- pose of the franchise, by converting it into an instrument ofinjustice, from being, as it should be the means of supporting ali the rights that the constitution confers on the citizen.
 But the aspect in which such a combination, successfully carried out, would present us to the world, should be matter of deep regret. It would prove native Americans false to most solemn national promlse-that holds forth the expectation, in words too clear for debate of equality of rights. This, after the expectation has been acted upon in good faith by the emi- grant, denies it. It therefore carries with it na- tional dishonor. It makes also the constitution what it is not. It changes the law, which all are equally bound to obey, in spirit as we'll as letter, and makes for itself law
 Upon the subject ofreligious freedom our an : cestors were so jealous that they deemed it right to secure it more effectually than it was thought to be secured by the constitution as at first adopted. This they did in the first of the amendments, by denying to Congress the right of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise lHcIcOl Anu tuIo tuct ueclfCu cqudllN llu- portant, as the whole article shows, with " free dom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition , for a redress of grievances"
 Of the calamites 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 religious doctrine That faith which incucates peace on the earth nd will fo hoe in, ,l1 and sin, frequently been the actual cause of the most shocking cruelties Abandoning altogeth CT the example of its great founder, man has often attempted to teach its mild heavenly doc trines by means of the fagot and sword. 1.-the blood shed in these efforts could be collected, it , would deluge much of the earth If the ago. nies so caused could now be heard in one uni ted voice, it would startle the word-ard yet all has been done in the name of mild, patient, self sacrificing and merciful God.
 | With such results, how any Christian man can doubt the duty of leaving matters of reli- zion to be settled between his brother and his Maker passes my comprehension. And then too, what practical infdelity is there in any one or more sects assuming that they, of all others are the elect of Heaven? A self-sufficiency Sc gross would be amusing If 1t was not so perni- cious and perncious, because impious.
 With us, too at this time the Roman Catho- lies are the objects of assault Forgetting fol the occasion their own substantial differences Protestants of most sects, if not of all. are said to be concerned in this political religious cru sade What would they think, if, constituting as they once did majority the Catholics were to unite in such a warfare? Thank God, al that period they set, not nobler, for there is nothing noble in the opposite cause, but noble "a sublime example Of this their descend ants may we'll be proud. Flying from rel gous persecution, one amongst their first acts oflegislation provision for perfect religious freedom. On the 2lst of April, 1646, they passed this statute:
 "And whereas the enforcing of the consci ence in matters of religion has frequently fal len out to be ofdangerous consequence in these commonwealths where it has bee practiced anG for the more quiet and peaceable government of this province and the better to preserve mu.