American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-03-29
THE BIBLE AND THE CONSTI-
TUITION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Durng the present political canvass in
our State, much has been said anI done to
influence the minds OF the voters in this
coming election, is friends Of liberty and
reiision to take their stand with political
party calling themselves by the names
of Know Nothings, the American party
the Sons of the Sires of seyenty-six. &c.
They address themselves to the indepen.
dent voters of this county, and as one, we
have been induced to investigate their
claims. A great question:, when brought
before free and intelligent people, ought
| TO be weighed in the ecaies OF sound judg.
ment and answered in the light Of the Con-
stitution, with Washington, Jefferson, Mad.
Ison and Monroe, and their illusrious sup.
porters and fellow.laborers, by the action of
their lives to guide us. Surely, fellow-citi-
! zens, we may honestly, boldly and easily as
certain our duty to ourselves, our country
and our posterty. The Constitution of the
United States is system OF fundamental
rules, principles and ordinances for the gov
eminent OF the nation. The power to legis.
late in the United States is created and its
powers designated by the constitution. I,
follows, therefore, that as members OF civil
society, our lives, our liberties and the pur-
SUIT OF happiness, are to us secured by its
liberal and wise provisions. Lot us then la :
Dor TO understand, cherish and perpetuate
its glorious doctrines.
Such is the relation we bear 10 the con-
stitution and such protection il affords TO us.
The Bible is the constitution, or the New
Testament rather, of modern society: that
is, its moral constitution. 1t contains those
holy rules and fundamental principles and
ordinances which guide us in the knowledge
OF our duty toward our fellow man, as man,
ana we presume to say that conformity in
any government TO the moral code OF the
| holy book, eleyates that government above
all others, and coniers personal and social
benefits upon its citizens i'm value, extent
and duration above Others, who base their
governmental fabric upon some other fonn-
daiion. Fellow citizens, if this be so. what
Bible principles lay at the foundation of our
constitution! What principles in practice
ourthened The colonies, and were formally
presented by complaint against KngGeorge
in the Declaration Of Independence Z? And
what principles s are there asserted in that
declaration, that harmoniza alike with the
liomTlaiion principles Of natural and re- veal
ed religion and the constitution Amongst
the inalenable rights of man. life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness are claimed,
and TO secure these just rights amongst men,
governments are formed deriving their lust
powers from The consent of the governed -
| IN the present constitution we have the
fountain and the foundation of all needrul
law. 10 secure this end to its happy cili-
zens, with liberal hand, it extends It's bless
ings of protection and prosperity on the ma
tive born citizen and men born in other
lands, REQUIRING only of the man who is an
alien BY the accident o. his birth, that he
fenounce his allegiance TO 4 foreign power.
potentate or printe. By an oath of fidelity
to this government he is eligible to any Of
tne Offices in the government, except ths
| Wee Presidency and the Presidency itself
Inc longest term of probation made bv tho
trainers ard sgners Of that instrument. BEING
years for Senator and years for Congress
Now on what foundation in principIe did
The wisdom and patriotism of the illustrious
founders of this government rest the sa fetv
OF !ts institutions so lar as these naturalized
G,itiZens OF foreign birth were concerned -
we say mat II was on the principle of per-
sonal merit, thrown in The balance of Justice
meted out TO man, as man, according to The
law OF love, Judging that the man was wor.
my who would sever the ties Of kindred and
6lood, and choose 10 offer them as sacrifice
'hat ne may worship at the shrine of Amsri-
can freedom, ard VOW ard pay his vows be-
lore It's altar. IT'S true that This is n small
sacrifice, but the Widows mite was an ac
cep,able offering in the eyes Of the Son of
God. 1t was her all, and the man who Of.
iers his all in sacrifice for citizenship under
this constitution, is accepted protected and
lree-iree TO labor, free 10 learn, free TO
think, speak and act free TO rise BY his own
merit IN the confidence and esteem of the
men he has preferred before his own flesh
ana blood. and thoy are free 10 confer on
niri any token oil their confidence, oven 60
MAKE MN their servant to administer and
tat ,
confidence and justice met together. In The
Pream BILE Of the constitution, il il we lhe
people OF these United Statesh not we iho
e-born citizens, "in order 10 form more
perfect union, establish Justice, insure do
mestic tranquility, provide for the common
oeIence, promote the general welfare. and
secure the blessings Of libetty TO ourselves
ana our posterity, do ordain and establish
this constitution for the United States of A.
merica.' This Constitution was made by
the people, the fountain of all law, enacted
by their choice. But now the people, ac.
cordIng to the policy Of the Know nothing
party, ought not 10 make any law or admin
is'er the laws already made. NATIVITY IS a.
pove, merit, and il that which is now called
the American idea, becomes law. The ma.
1--WE porn citigen becomes slave Ia pariy.
anu may not bestow his vote On whom he
Pieases. his sovereign choice is gone, and
lor what does ne sell his constitutional fiab,l
IL is for a false alarm, and no real danger is
nigh. He has the right now TO withhold his
vote tom any citizen Of foreign birth Tho
constitution hangs the matter on his sovc.
reign VIII. Citizens of foreign birth did
neip TO make The country free, and they did
heip 10 otdain and establish this constitu.
ton. This constitution honors them with
us conidebce and makes them eligible to
oiices oi honor, trust or profit, which the
native born citizen and the citizen Bv choice
have right TO confer ON the men of ,he;t
choice. Therefore we conclude that on the
ground and principle Of personal merit and
responsibility, the constitution knows no
citizen above his fellow.eitzen. only for
prps;Ie,t .,J W.. t,...., .,s - N'sy -.