Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-10
Gen. Washington and Religious Lib
erty-His Opposition to Prescription
for Conscience Sake.

The Cincinnati Enquirer well saws that
those misguided bigots and zealots who, un-
der the influence of culpable prejudices and
blind fsnaticism, would prescribe from the
rights of citizenship one of the religious sects
of this country, and call the persecution and
prescription an American idea, ought to
read and ponder upon the following extracts
from the writings of General Washington
which We give below. They indicate that
the Father of his Country, were he now upon
the stage of existence, would frown indig-
nantly upon the outra yeous attempt to place
upon a certain body of men civil incapacities
for their religious opinions Upon the plat
form which Gen. Washington and his COM
patriots reared, stands the democratic party
of 1855. Freedom and liberation to al reli-
gious sects is the great American and demo-
cratic principle from which we can never de-
part without entailing upon the country all
those evils and misfortunes which have ever
characterized the struggles and animosities
of rival sects. Here is what Gen. Washing
ton said
TO ths 6sRsrel conmitfse rePrsssHfing fAs United
States Baptist ChErekss in Girgtnio;
GENTLEMEN: If / could have entertained
the slightest apprehension that the Constitution
Nv lilt AbuNtHllDH NHttt 4 Ddu tilt
honor to preside might possibly endanger the
religious rights Of ANY ecclesiastical society,
certainly loud nersr hare placed my signature
to Il; and If | would not conceive that the
General Government might even be so ad
ministered as 10 render the liberty of con-
science insecure, beg you will be persuaded
that no one would be more jealous than my
self to establish effectual barriers against the
horrors of spiritual tyTaTng, and every species Of
religious persecution. For you doubtless re-
member | have often expressed my senti-
ments that any man conducting himself as a
good citizen, and being accountable TO God
alone for his religious opinions, ought 10 b
protected IN sOorshiPping the Deity according to
the dictates Of has 0On conscience.
81 am, gentlemen, your most obedient ser
want, GEORGE WASHINGTON"
In Gen. Washington's "O7der Book" fol
November 5, 1775, may be found the follow.
ing significant entry, which we especially
commend to the perusal of Know Nothmgs
1t is as follows:
As the Commander-in chief has been sp
prised Of design for the observance Of tina
ridiculous and childish custom Of burning th
e6fgy Of the Pope, he cannot help expressing hi
surprise that there should Be officers and soldier
IA the army 80 Void Of common sense as not 4
see the improperly of such step at this juno
ture-at time when we are soliciting, ant
have really obtained the friendship and ALI
ance of the people Of Canada, whom We Ough
TO consider as brethren embarked in the sam
cause.-The defense of the general liberties o
America. At such a juncture, and in sucl
circumstances. 10 be insulting their religion
so monstrous as not to be suffered OF excused
instead OF offering the most remote insult, iii
our duty TO express public thanks 10 these on
brethren, for very late happy success over tn
common enemy TO Canada.
GEORGE WASHINGTON