Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-07-04
,ationsof the Constitution would b hazardsd ),

+ meddli1g with it.
Mr.. c. entertained a high respect for public opin-
ion, but should think that it would be generally
admitted that protesting believer of Christianity
oughtto be excluded from offlce-firther than this,
he was unwilling to go. *
With the gentleman from Halifax MIR. Daniel )
j he believed the Pope of Rome possessed tempo
/ raj power except over small province in Italy.
Hehad therefore5no fear of his temporal power en-
croachig. on this country. Indeed, the despols Of
! Europe would atau times keep him in check.
Mr. G. did not believe that Popery was changed.
| He believed,i it would continue unit, and be the
Same. he knew that it had been an opinion long
urged against the Catholics of this country, that
they held principles ininieal to free government;
but nothing of this kind had ever been substantial
ted against them, and facts the best evidence
in their favor. Mr.. g. then adverted to the perse-
cutons which the Catholics had undergone in differ
ent parts of Europe, and especially in Ireland.
The spirit of the age said Mr. c., calls aloud for
more liberal opinions on the subject of Religious
Liberty. He had hoped that the time had passed
for entertaining any fears for Popery in this
try. The Bible Societies of England and America
had done much in enlightenng and liberating the
public mind the subject of religion in all parts of
the world.
The only proper mode of meeting the efforts
which said to be making by the Catholics
in the Valley of the Mississippi and elsewhere to
spread their doctrines, is for the Protestants of all
sects to become more united amongst themselves
BY doing away all petty divisions and strifes, and
eXerting all their moral influence in support of the
great doctrines of the Reformation, they would
lgion.
Mr.. c. concluded with expressing his belief that
great prejudice and excitement existed on this sub
ject, which it would require some time to alay."
See Debates of the Convention, page 245.
On the same occasion the wise and venerable Ma
thaniel Macon raised his voice in favor of religious
freedom. Hear him, and ponder what he says:
''Mr. Macon said he took the broad ground that
alone responsible to his Creator for his
ligious fath and that no human power had any
right to nterpoSe in the matter, TO prescribe any
particular opinions test Of fitness for Office If
l1ndOO We're to come among u.s. and fully
qualified to discharge the duties of any office to
which he might aspire, his religious belief would
not constitute objection, in his opinion, why he
should be debarred. VINO made Judge, that
he should presume to Interfere in the sacred rights
of conscience? He had always thought that mix
trre of politics and religion the very of
hypocrisy.
Mr. M said, some gentlemen had expressed the
opinion that this Article as it stood, could do
no harm. Who tell to what the spirit of pro-
scription which it is based, may lead A spark
may fire the world. Events push each other along, and
passion but to enkindc another. So far
he individually concerned, it mattercd not what
provisions were incorporated in the Constitution.
His time had most come But this Article the
only feature in the old Constitution which he had
ever heard objected to- out of the State; and the
objection always coupled with an expression of
surprise, that it could Nave got foothoid in State
where the principles of liberty were so we'll under
a.
triot must stake himself for the good OF his country
The present was crisis of that kind.
When our country in distress, said Mr. NJ,
in our Revolutionary struggle, applied to Cath
oics for assistance and it generously extended
Without foreign assistance, never should have
achieved our independence.
Mr.. NJ. said part of the article referred to Athe
lists. He did not believe there al Atheist,
whatever his nation or color. It was impossible
for any man to look at himself at the water the
animal and vegetable kngtlan, at the sun, or
stars, without acknowledging the existence of a
GREAT CAUSE.
What gave rise to the first settlement in North !
Carolina?-The prosecutions in New England and !
Virginia. New England, to use the language of a |
great man, settled by the Puritans of the Puri
tans-Virginia settled by Episcopaians. These !
two States had any intercourse until the Rev
olution. This goodty land, We nhabit, was dscov-
cred by Catholics. Should not this fact to us
when we talk about DISTINGUISHING them?
To him tappeared too plain question to argue, |
that every man may worship God according to the !
dictates of his conscience. But it is practi-
cal denial OF its truth to debar man from office,
because he may entertain certain religious opinions.
There was one member of this Convention whose I
father had been inhumanly murdered by the Tories !
in our Revolutionary struggle-he begged pardon /
for the alluslon, but it hstory-and shall it be
said that his son. baptised it were, in the blood
of his father, is unworthy seat in the Legislature
of our country? No, sir, gentleman would say
this The Christian Religion founded on good |
will and peace to man. Examine the Rsleemcr's |
sermon on the Mounts there any persecution |
there? And who made US greater than h. that we |;
should prescribe brethren for opinions sake? |
You might well attempt to bind the air we breathe,
as mans conscencc-t is frec-liberty of thought
is his unalienable brth-rght. He heard this |
great cutlery against Religions freedom, but what |
he forcibly reminded of the Pharisee and Pub |
lican. He too tired to repeat it but every body
it. d.
Roger Williams of Rhode Island, Mr.. NJ. said, |
was the first man establish liberation in North |
America-he Puritan. Charles Carroll, Of |
Carrollton, the who stalled more by signing the |
Declaration of Independence than any other indi- |
vidual, was Catholic AS he stepped up to sign, |
some person remarked, "there goes two millions |
with the dash of pen !" Another friend remark |
ed, "Oh Carroll, you will get off, there many
Charles CAROLS" He stepped back and added, 'of |
Bishop Carroll, pure, that even sectarian |
bigotry could find nothing to alege against him. 1t
was not, therefore, the particular religious notions,
which entertained that made him good cit
izen good man.
Mr.. NJ. said, fears seemed to be entertained by
some gentlemen, that the Roman Catholics would |
overrun the country They might do.it but he did y
not think it half as probable, as that mouse
would kill buffa loe !! Let them when they H
will, Mr.. NJ. said, he would lay wager that the
converted taoO to the Catholics AS
for himself he was inclined to the Baptist Church,
and he did not care who knew it; but he was far
from believing in all their doctrines. Neither did
he believe it essential, that should attach him.
self to any particular Church. If he faithfully dis
charged ali his duties earth, and obeyed the pre-
;epts of the Gospel, he would not be asked, when