The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-11-19
JUDaE BLACKS ADpaEss.


msnt, September II, 1866. Jadgs Black,
subject Is "Religious Liberty" which he has
treated with great sbiIity, evineiog, through.
out, extensive reading and profound thought,
expressed in language which Is At once eIo.
quent and forcibIe. This last production
from Judge Blacks pen il WORTH OF his high
character a. man and ss Q scholar. The
head and the heart 60 together. Il shows
learning, uDited with love, and the philoso.
ply Of history is made 10 subserve the prac-
tical duties Of life. The past is made useful
fof the present, and however abstract the
theme, no one can read The address without
seeing IFS fitness for The times, and spprecia.
ting the truth which il embodies.
Judge Black very happily starts with OBJ
tanning correct idea of Religious Liberty,
and in SO doing he discards the common use
of the word "Toleralion,"a a phrase which he
considers implies that we derive whatever
religious freedom we have from the conces-
sions of the government; whereas, SO far
from being political privilege, it is natu-
raj and absolute right, which government
may roteci, but cannot either give or with
hold. This just distinction is drawn with
great effect. Still further to clear away the
obscuriiy in which in general expressions
Judge Black next takes up the dogma that
Christianity is a part of our common law /;
and he shows its utter fallacy, SO far as il re-
fers 10 any suppot OF Religious Liberty is
supposed 10 derive from Judicial authority.
Passing from these generaliiies, he takes up
bis theme, and shows the great principles on
which our institutions are founded, where
We have State without religion, and a
church without politics. Here Judge Black
exhibits his force and originality as think
er, and his ability as writer. We cannot
spare room enough 10 notice at length his az
gument, nor to make the extracts which
have impressed rs by their 5eauty and
truthfulness. His vildication of the charac.
ter OF Penn from The aspersions of Macaulay,
is well timed but his sketch of Roger VIII
liams is worthy Of the fame of our best wri-
ters. Penn, Williams, and Calvert, are sin.
sled out as the three immortal names that
will be venerated as long as the eanh con-
iains one friend of human liberty. or Viii.
liams he says:
HIhe other man of that Iluslrions iriamyi-
rate is also entitled 10 your special notice.
Roger Williams was hero in the highest
sense Of that much abused word. OF ell the
men that ever mingled in the good fight for
freedom Of opinion, he carried the most gilt
tering weapon, fought the hardest battle, and
won the most brilliant triumph. Single hand.
ed and alone, he strove against tumulluous
throng of enemies, who pressed upon him in
front, and flank, and rear. And never yet
was hero so magEanimous in victory; or in
adversely SO calmly steadfast 10 his cause.
His character lie invested with that peculiar
interest, which we all feel in great injured
man, whose merits are the glory, while the
wrongs he suffered are The shame, of the
times he lived in. His intellectual vision
saw the truth at glance, and his homes,
hear: accepting il without hesitation, pushed
il at once to its ultimate consequences. His
eloquence was remarkable for its clearness
and iervor; he had ssesdinsss of pnrpose
which opposition only made firmer, and no
dangers that ever thickened around him,
could tame the audiciiy of his courage. Thus
gifted, he came TO Massachusetts in the vigor
OF his early manhood, and Immediately took
up the defence Of what he called the stsanc-
tity OF conscience.n It would have been a
safer employment to denounce Mahometan-
ism in ary part Of Turkey. Mary Fisher
made fair trial OF both She went 10 Bos-
ton, and she went to Cons,antinople. She
publicly administered TO the Sultan and to
the Elders Of the Puritan Church The rebnke,
which, in her opinion, was needed by each
and her report of her comparative treatment
che received, gives a decided preference to
The Turks. The intrepid spirit of Williams,
however, was not to be qusIled: his dsnun-
citation of tyranny became more unsparing
in proportion as the threats against himself
grew louder. Such man could not fail 10
have friends among The people /; but those
who welded The political power and the
ecclesiastical influence of the colony were
against him 10 compact body, and hated
him with that bitter intensity of hatred, which
religious bigolry alone can inspire. Al first
they tried him in debate, but that soon ended;
for his irresistible logic went through and
through their fimsy sophis:ry, as bsttsring
ram would 60 through wall of pssseboard
II was not ell safe 10 silence him, as they si.
lenced Robinson, Mary Dyer, and Others, by
hanging him for his character was known
and honored, and
His virtues
Would plead like angels trumpet tosgued
against
The deep damnation of his taking of.
But they snxiously took' counsel among
themselves how they might destroy him
without incurring responsibility too great
They made law on pufposs 10 catch him
Whosoever would deny their right Il
punish msn for having creed diferen
from ihsifs should be bsnished. They dis
franohissd town for giving him shellsr
they confiscatsd the lands of congregation
for hearing klm presch thsy mslignsd hil
character in every possible way; they &C
poisoned the mind Of bis own wife, thai even
- r. -. - -