Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-10-11
LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE ABROAD.

The following is the resolution, offered in
the Legislature, last winter by Il. Joy Morris
ESQ.,. of Philadelphia, on the subject of the
rights of conscience aud the privilege of bury
ing the dead Of our protestant countrymen in
foreign Catholic countries.
Resolued, That our Senators in Congress
be instructed, and our Representatives re-
quested to use their utmost eDdeavors to pro.
cure, by treaty, for American citizens when
travelling or residing in foreign countries, the
unmolested enjoyment Of their rights of con-
science, the right TO have their own public
worship where they desire it, and to bury
their dead with such religious services as they
may DESIRE" .,..
This resolution, which contains the noblest
sentiments Of philanthropy, and which we
supposed would have met the approval Of ev-
cry freeman who had any regard for religious
freedom, and was in accordance with the views
Of Gen. Cass in his speech in the United
States Senate, was opposed by Mr.. thinner
man as will be seen by reference to his vote
recorded page 127 of the Journal Of last
session.
The following is on extract from the speech
of that Patriot Democrat and Statesman,
Gen. Cass, on this subject, in the Senate
1t containtains a severe rebuke to those who
are willing to pander the dcarst rights of man
for the sake of securing the support of sect
who are ever ready to unite church ani State
for political purposes. The following are ex-
tracts from Gen. Cass' speech. See Congress.
sional Globe, volume 26 page 1873.
LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE ABROAD.
Mr.. CASS. Mr.. President, l have been
requested to present the petition which
now send to the Clerks table, from the
Maryland Baptist Union Association. and to
move its reference to the appropriate COM
mittee. l do this with pleasure, not only out
of regard to the motives and position of
those who make this application, but also
because / entirely concur with them in the
Importance of the object they seek to obtain,
and in the propriety of calling the attention
of the Government to it--an object dear to
US, and in its consequences to the world now
and hereafter. This body of pious and intel
ligent Christians anxiously desire the freedom
wherever the accidents of life may carry
them. And it is not strange that this senti-
ment should be strongly felt and strongly ex-
pressed in this land Of Gospel liberty. But
it is strange that in this age OF the world,
and in this day Of intellectual advancement,
any obstacle should be interposed by any
Government in Christendom to prevent the
believers in the faith of Jesus from following
the dictates of their own conscences and
while rendering unto Caesar the things that
are Casars, prohibit them from rendering
unto God the thingc that are Gods agreeably
to their own convictions Of the injunctions of
His Divine Word. / coincide fully with the
signers of this petition, that the base of all
freedom is the freedom Of conscience, and
that there is no tyranny SO revolving as that
which tyrannizes over the mind.
But we have a right to expect from the
comfy Of all friendly nations that American
citizens be permitted to enjoy liberty of
worship wherever they may go. There is not
the slightet reasonable objection to such a
demand.