True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-30
From tho Daily American Organ.
The Washington Union.

In Yesterdays issue Of the above.nanl-
ed slanderous sheet an attempt is made 10
render The members Of The American par
" obnoxious 70 the charge Of violating
the constitution, in taking The oalhs pub.
lished by thaspaper as those used in their
councils. The oaths are thus stated by
tie Union:
;'fhat you will moi vote or give your
influence 70 any man for any Office in the
gifl Of the people. unless he be an Amer
ican,born citizen, in favor Of Americans
rulings America, or if he be Roman
Catholic.
"'That you will, Wien elected or ap-
pointedto an official station conferring on
you the power Of doing 50, remove all
foreigners, aiiens. or Roman Catholics
from Office or place, and that you will in
ne case appoint such to any.oflice or place
in yopr gift"
These oalhs, the Unions says, are taker
in the face Of the following clauses Of the
constitution to.wil: x
THAT no religious test shall ever be
required as a qualification to any Office
| "a. !
of public trust uuder the United States, =
and Congress shall make nc laws respec-
ting the establishment Of religion, or pro-
hibiliag free exercise thereof"
! The Union contends iha, The cons,itu-
ton is thus violated by the members Of
tue American party.
The editors of the Union, and all 9TH
er men Of tolerable information, know
that the prohibition in the constitution as
to religious tests, relates wholly 10 the
exercise Of any such power by Congress
and has no relationto the individual action
df voters Congress has no right re-
quire any "religious test as qualifica'
ton to Office" but it is idle and absurd to
say that this prohibition affects the rights
of voters, who may create for their owu
guide, whatever tests they please, even
embracing The size or height Of a candi-
date the color Of his eyes or haii -ihs
mode or manner Of saying his prayers
or eating his meals--or any other, even
the most ridiculous ies,she mind Of mar
can conceive.
The constitution interdicls Congress
from making a religious test as quali6
caiipn for Office, but it does not compel
Catholic 10 vote for d Protestant, or ;
| Protestant 10 vote for Catholic; MOI
does it prevent Protestant Of one form
Of faith from voting for a Protestant o
The same faith. A Methodistmay, if he
chooses, agree with his associates. ant
bind themselves by any pledge they
choose 10 adopt, not to vote for a Baplis
and SO uice versa. There can be no les
made by Congressional law. but the peo
pie are free 70 confer their suffiages upcl
whonf they please, and to make any test
in casting their votes they think proper
But again-if the ridiculous consiruc
tion put upon the above clauses Of hi
constitution were the true one, and il !
were Intended 10 prohibit a voler Iron
milking i religions test in casting his owl
vote. pray how could the constitution b
Ienforcedi
A Protestant may cast his vote Tor
Protestant, and against a Catholic, avow
edly on the ground Of a conformity i
religious opinions with lhe former. ant
on the ground Of a diiTerenceiu religion
opinions with The latter; and where il
The remedy, il the ttnslituIIOl b thus
violated. There is none, and this fac
alone is sufficient % show that lhers IS 4,
violation Of the constitution commiltns
,lby such vote; ios il all cases Of viola
Iion Of the consultation or ol any publ.
law arsmedy does anu must exist. Cen
nress san r,ass r0 laW makina Z tSli4its,l