The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-27

such sentiments are worthy TO 10 written upon tablets
of stone
Rev! Mr. Payson said
Mr. President after what has been observed, relating TO
religious test by gentlemen OF acknowledged abilities
uu no' tnAt ~ moua again De mentioned as an
qn 20 the proposed constitution that such test was not re-
qared AS qualification for Office Such the abilities
aud integrity OF the Who constructed the eonstu
on as not 70 admit Of the presumption that they would have
betrayed so much vanity attempt to erect buwaks and
barriers to the throne OF God Relying the candor Of this
convention shall take the liberty to express my sen
ments the nature of religious test and shall endeayor TO
do ii in such propositions win meet the appreciation Of
The great object religion being God supreme, and the
seat OF religion in being the heart conscience
God has given US employ on our moral
in their most important consequences related to the tbu
nal Of Godhence infer that God alone is the God Of the
conscience and consequently attempts 70 erect human t
buna Tor the consciencas OF mpous
upon the prerogates OF God Upon these princple had
there been religious test as qualification for Office IL
instrument" 80 Elliot 100
Not much bgotry and exciusiyeness among the early
fathers, il would seem -tHa ."@
General Heath said! e-w
Mr.. President, after long and painful investigation of
the federal ution by paragraphs this honorable
venon drawing nigh to the ultimate question:
ton as momentsas invited the attention Of man We
are soon to decide system dgested for the people
the Commonwealth of Aassachasets for the pres
ent people of the United States onbut in addition these
for all those States which may hereafter rise into existence
within the jurisdiction of the United States and for millions
people yet unborn system Of government not for
slaves but for people as free aud vrtuous as any
earthnot for conquered nation, subdued will but
for people who have fought who have bed and who have
oonqqered who undor the smiles of Heaven have estab-
shed their independence and Sovereignty and have taken
equal rank amongst the nations Of tho earth In short
"a system Ct ,os o.ess ga os az en-
decision q this question suspended our political prosperity
Or Or nG perhaps our existence q a. n,s What
thing depends upon union. knop that haze sup
posed a although e Union aho"ld Be broken particular
Slater may retdn their Importance Dat this cannot De- The
strongest State the right if separated
from the body must wiher Hear oh massachusetts, as
nation, pershes; and il country psrshes it will
be impossible to particular State to preserve
Of the fingers OF a mortified hand 80 Elliot II.
Most noble sentiments and most solemn warning
Rev. Mr.. Backus said:
Mr. President have said very little in this honorable
convention but beg leave to offer few thoughts
upon some poI.S ~ .e ~ PROPOSED % u.s. ana
appear be much concerned about iii but nothing
evident in and the Holy Scriptures than that religion
matter between God and individuals and therefore
or men can impose any religious test without nva
ding the essential prerogaves of Lord Jesus Christ
Ministers first assumed this under the Christian
and then Constantine approved of the practice, when he
adopted the profession OF Christianity as an engine of State
policy And let the history Of all nations be searched
that day this and it will appear that the imposing of el
gDus tests hath been the greatest engine of tyranny In the
avna IN s s o @ @ ersa and
portant matter Some serious minds discover lest
all religious tests should be excluded the Congress would
hereafter establish Popery other yranncal OF
worship But 1t is most certain that such Of worship
be established without any religious test-Eiot 14s
So it seems that some in those days were afraid of the
Pope. '
II appears from all the cotemporaneous history that the
foundations OF government well considered by its
revolutionary authors and the carefully examine
its provisions the better satisfied become that it
wearranged and welldefned system, which, if carried
out in its purity Is entirely competent for all egencss
federal government for all great national purposes State
government for municipal purposes all powers not dele
gated to the first reserved to the latter strict but
able construction necessarily provided for which is the
rule Of Interpretation prescribed in the constitution itself
the States recognised as in every full and
adequate power conferred for extension Of the Of
States by the unlimited authority to admit States
They may have slavery discard it, each State may for
itself ordan Slavery being municipal regulation, must
be set up or put down by the State authority.
The federal government having power 10 ordan, fix
and prescribe domestic Institutions has control
the subject Some Of the States having slaves others
the general government cannot take sides with either To
carry out this arrangement in theory and spirit each and
every State must be left its unbiased discretion
upon the subject The federal government has right to
prescribe features for States; to form States after
any particular fashion, to take ncpient steps towards
moulding the institutions of States Each and every
one must be left at perfect liberty 70 adopt its own fashion
and taste according to its Judgment formed from its
consideration Of its peculiar circumstances and al
though its taste may be peculiar In respects still the
old adage holds good De gusfbns non dispmandun7
as in effect to destroy the system. The express powers
as well as the implied the taxing power the war
power, the legislative power, and so Of others-may
be so perverted as to destroy the system The gov
abuse Of the express grants Of power, by the
else Of powers doubtful not delegated at all Ii
TO be very generally agreed that under the treaty
making power the federal government may acquire addi
tonal territory although the trainers Of the constitution
did not appear TO have contemplated the addition Of new
States from territory tnus acquired When territory is
CURED how should the general government manage III
Certainly not for The purpose OF carrying out peculiar
system or view pertaining TO any Section but to be
rolled under the constitution by the common agent and
for equal benefit TO all the members OF the conedeacy and
without ut the time trenching upon the jnchoate
rights Of new State In expectancy. So acquired
the constitution prorio rgoS operates it. IL is
necessarily placed within the ursdictonsl limits of the
constitution. The massive mind Of Mr. Webster seemed
10 think at time that act Of Congress
ny TO carry the constitution Into such territory Such
idea appears to be essentially paradoxical. re.ns
The federal government under that causehrd section
Of article fourthgivng the Congress the power TO dis
pose Of and make all needul rules and regulations respect
ing the territory, other property belonging 10 the Uni
ted States exercises controlling influence In the dspo
sion Of the said territory and the making of needf rules
and regulations Such rules and regulations be Inn
tied in their operation TO such beneficial to
the whole and necessary TO enable the government dis
OF the terrioyto preserve order and good
whilst that is being done and all her acts har
States interested have slaves Others The general
government then, common and faithful agent has
rghul power to favor 10 the prejudice exclusion Of
the other. This would be aggressive and would be
bling the federal government the agent OF all the
States TO exercise conventional authority that could
only be impaired by organic proceeding Any rules
or regulatons that she might prescribe transcepdng,
outside Of constitutional authority would be utterly
null and void. For the purpose Of dsposng of the public
ands the general may have them surveyed
establish land Offices ordain other agencies and pass
ecssary laws preserve orderpooe regulations simply.
She has power 70 establish municipal regulations pre-
scribe wha, shall be considered property regulate the Law
Of descent last will and testament and the various domes
tic relations and responsibilities Of life The government