Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-15
E.o,., the Charleston Courier.

ded experiences among men of many opinions
The refusal of the right to worship God according
to the dictates of their consclenees, had caused
various sects to desire retirement and exemption from
formal and eXactlng laws alter the great civil wars
in Europe
| Besides an emigration of different sects of Protes
tants many Catholics of English, Irish, French and
Spanish descent looked for greater success in life
and more open field Tor industry AMI eXertlon III
the new world.
/ The prosecuted Hebrews, generally excluded from
tile possession of lands, and from many respectable
and profabebranches of business. found refuge here
from modern Egypts The early colonIsts did not
easily forgive the suferings and expressions they
had experienced at home Strong preJudces remain
! ed not only against those who had injured them,
but also against other sects who competed with them
| Purians and Tresbyerans had been severely dealt
with by Episcopalians; and, in turn, used equal Sc
verify when they had the upper land.
Huguenots were driven into exile by the Catholics
The non resistant g Friends and the Hebrews suf
| fered from all.
When either Presbyterians, Epscopalans or Ca
tholics, possessed supreme powers exclusively they
were each found equally nolerant and vindctlve in
| former times.
All were oppressors by turns. All sought relief
for conscience and free expression of their peculiar
diverse opinions in this newly discovered and-a
| beautiful wilderness of hope-alke for all
Here the oppressor and the oppressed like the
lion and the lamb, could reaceably rest together,
they told.
AICoF our Revolutionary VIII, Ill WulCu all StClo
and all religions freely participated, not excepting
| the 'Friends" prudent and honorable adjustment
of the difficulties which all had somewhere encoun-
tered, the earliest attempt of the new Govern
ment. 'In the name of the people" of the success
full Colonies, their Deputies, in Congress assembled
representing many varieties of creed, and some who
had no formal one, decided the 18th Septen ber
| 1887, the twelfth year of National independence,
''n order to establish justice and secure domestic
tranquility, no religious test shall be required
oco Qualification IN b46ro or unhic truS undpr
the United States This part of our moral rev
outon.
In the generous spirit of mutual general accommo
daon and compromise, each citizen was designed to
be at released from any control by his neigh
bors account of belief or unbelef, as one sect
| might choose to enttle difference in opinion.
l This principle confirmed by Conventions Of
the Thirteen States. The first article in addition 10
and amendment of the original Constitution proposed
by Congress- and ratified by The Legislatures of the
$ several States, decreed Congress shall make no
law respecting establishment OF religion, or pro-
hbiting the free exercise thereof, abridging the
freedom of speech, or OF the press.
a Here room enough for all professions, who re-
n spectel the limits of ordinary morality.
h In these instances of reform, nominal distinctions
were seduously avoided. Protestant, Catholic, Sec
tarian Unitarian and Hebrew all equally inclu
ded in the equitable act
+ Our revolution not Protestant revolution, nOr
was ii Catholic revolution, solely religious lev
e ouOn, but general revolution in which all orn'
S ions were united Tor the common good, within dis
o creetly expressed limitations.
t he writer brought up from infancy to reverence
II the importance of The principle of religious freedom
is distressed to perceive well disposed gradual
induced to despise the wise precep!s of the fathers
II of the revelation, and to turn aside to aid the per
vered designs false pretences of some aspiring pol
: lticians, who strongly urge upon the pnblic mind
sentiments utterly at variance with all sound mora
instructions and all political equity.
t We ought to have nothing to do with ancient pre-
JUDGES, except to be warned by Them ought We
: to submit 10 modern fanatcism here, let it be advoca
ted by what denominations ii may for will assured
: y lead to similar excuses, those of the past.
" We object equally to the ascendency Of Catholics
Epscopalians, Presby Baptsts, Methodiss
{, We eoul not consent to the supremacy of Mora
u vianS, SecedefS or Quakers.
3 Our common laws quite sufficient to regulate
+ the excuses of all and each.
} Let the offences which each in his turn may have
Is committed, when possessed OF power, be forgotten
and forgiven in silence, all hope for the forgive
IS we surely ali Justly require from general pI
10 rent
'e The writer is not Catholic, but he has experience
great kindness from Catholics at home and abroad
possibly because lie educated without ptejudic
d against them.
T. This terrible prejudice, difficult eradicate s
n easily rooted, which some appear to live for an
he many to die by.
The writer has heard sermons in his life from min
ID listers of all sects and denominations He has re
man who spoke unfairly improperly of o,he
H. creeds.
He cannot reverse this declaration, for of tn
ri other side charge all the ss of past centuries upo
their innocent neXt-dooc neigh bors.
ok The offences of ancient Catholics are often dt
DIS nounced, if necessarily inherited by the modern
without regarding the stain which would be see
upon many hands by similar general reflections.
N The time has come when each is required to al
- sWer for his own sins only
The earth has been made pit of infamy and viz
Be lence by religious dscord, too often sustained
those who profess peace, charity and good will.
50 Men join hand in hand for aggressons, If to e.
hibt more distinctly, how little is to be place
in the mere professions of any
;,e TO this day as of old, the name of God is use
Ia through vanity, to authorize OF cruelty, frau
Us and injustice, which governments without soul
I'D choose to ntlct upon people, with bodies, becau
in they possess no regulating power, by the mutu
liberty of consc ience
No good can TO citizens of the United Stat
Of BY any project to lead them from the just and h.
name adj usments of the fathers of our Revolutio
founded upon their experience and knowledge in lf
- and their construction of the valuable social NOR
standards of the Scripture
Truth, Justice and Mercy, form the scale Of tt
ri powers by which God regulates his own actions
vas cerdng TO g the Writing" and such attributes
The presented TO US most worthy of imitation,
or men.
sp Our fathers judged and acted by these eternal syr
ro bols of equity and wisdom. Do let US be draw
from them by the vain conceits of imaginative me
, roofing up very old grounds, divert attention fro
the most sacred duties of life.
Alto To love neighbors-to be generous to strange
10 be kind to our enemies in order to make the
r,. friends.
on. Aue "0leil oclIptue anu our constitution OF go
the ernmen which is plainly bounded upon its prime
PIES are the landmarks of our true irdeuendence
i'm. people.