New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-20
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TEE
CONSTITUTION.
Address 10 the President from, tho Conn
miiiec OF She Reformed Presby,crinn

To His Ercelsacy ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PresideRf Of me
United States
We are here, Mr. President, as the represent
ayes and by the appointment Of the Reformed Pre'y'
terian synod, whose people are Familiarity known as
Coyouanters We are the ecclesiastical descendants Of
the men who framed the National Covenant OF
Scotland and the Solemn League Of later date
and who adhered through good and through
evil report TO the great principles Of civil and re-
Hgious freedom embodied in these national deeds.
Two hundred years ago our fathers fought and won the
battles Of liberty under banner whose inscription has
passed into history" Christ's Crown and Covenant.
Our history and traditions, as Wei Gs CONVICTION OF
duty 10 God and our country IN great and eTcniinl
crisis have constrained to seek audience with your
Exceency in regard 10 some matters that appear 10 US
Of vital moment to the welfare OF the nation.
We have been sent here Mr. President, by the SUI
pTeae cornell of Church, 20 represent 10 you our
profound conviction that the oalamities That have be-
fallen our beloved land due. not merely to the ma
toms completely in the chine Of SlaNoy but 10 s long
continued foreetfulness Of God, His Christ and His
Law. Christian in the masses OF is population aud
Clsiian also 10 some extent m tie spt Oi us admin
tTatons the United States cannot any other than
very qualified sense be called Christian nation. In its
constituted and organic OTm Our nation recognizes no
God no Bible no Savior and in so far say il with
feelings of deepest humiliation and grief IL open 10 the
charge Of practical atheism and unbclicf The Chris
tan patriot feels abnshed lie looks in vain through
the Constitution tie fundamental law of the empire oI
the smallest recognition OF Almighty God the source
Of legitimate power and authority and Tie author of
the beneficial institution Of civil Jesus
the Lord Of AL 10 whom The Governor among tho
nations the Prince of the Kings Of the Earth King Of
directly responsbleofthe holy Scriptures the
ard only infalibe guide in civil rs In religious Affair."
The Constitution Of Chrstisn people in pTOprcty and
Of right ought 10 be Christian Lot nOminnly merely,
hnt positively and in fact On the superstition that the
nation should perish a. great empires before It have
done and do memorial Of II remain save its Constitution
admirable and unriyalCd II is in many respects the
future chroncler Of its history would be unable to learn
ron il who was the nations God. and what it, religion
From the beginning II has been part Of our received
faith that the national organization is essentially de-
fecye in these particulars and On this ground have felt
ourselves called upon to utter voice Of rcmOnsIance
and protest and 70 practice in accordance Herewith.
Ml. President, the salvation Of orr country ia end
intensely desired by US. We labor for IT, and We make
but especially Of those that believe. IN calling the
ton to the duty Of humiliation and fasting, you have
told Us that God is visiting in punishment for national
sins The words were fifty chosen. The heart Of the
without hesitation So plain is II That he that runneth
may read. We cannot II we would. close our
eyes 10 the fact that the nation has on hand d
greater controversy than even that forced upon ii by
the conspiracy and treason Of the slayeholdng States
God has controversy with the land account Of lis
sin. lis greatest sin, we cannot but think Is ts over
sight Of the claims Of the divine Government aggra.
waited tbonsand fold IN that it done at time
when Prince Messiah had wrought for the nation a |
great deNerance in saving II from the yoke Of British
oppression lie has said that all the nations that for
cet God shall be turned into be Ps q; I7"tha kings
and Judges who will not Kiss the Son shall perish under
the BINDINGS of his wrath" Qs 2; l2)'that the king
don thet will not honor and Christ and his cause
shall perish, yea, shah be utterly wasted Qsa. co; 49,
Those true and faithful sayings. md deprecale
above al things their Illustration aud fufllment in the
uture OF country in the past OF empires great
JuIs. History, almost as clearly as the Bible itself
itteSts that nation not having ut its basis the great
principles Of Christianity stands upon most insecure
foundation. Looking at the matter, therefore ia the
light OF history, and in the light Of Divine Revelation
our profound conviction that the only hcpe for our
ountrys abiding pacilcnton and tranquility and for
Il future greatness and prosperity lies in such recon
tuctiOn Of the national edicc viii make the stone
elected of builders the headsionc Of the corner
Cberishng these convictions, sense Of dnty toward /
Tod and country has brought here. We are en-
outraged by your known Character, by your Official an
Ccedcnts your recognition OF the nations crimes your
testimony The behalf Of 6 od and
be claims OF his throne and law to believe that you
l listen 90 our representations and give TO them pa
lent and serious consideration. While NOT lesumng
y any means 10 dictate Of procedure with ref
renee 10 IT, We feel embodcned 10 ask that you lend in
whatever way you think most eecual 10 gain the end the
influence Of your exalted position to SCENE snch a
bange in the national Organization rs will give IL
borough Christian Character by Incorporating INFO is
fundamental law distinct recognition Of the being ana
providence OF G0d OF the dominion Of Jesus Christ
nd vi the Divine law dominan; and supreme In it
litigation and further, as will make Involuntary scryi
ude save punishment for crime legal inHossibjl
iy everywhere within the limits of the national do.
uain
Mr.. President thy servants are true men. and no
PnNs 1T mihlhR our SUIT we seek the welfare %
onntry end people for know that G0d will honor
Aem who honor Him. For more than sixty wears we
ave Declined both ecclesiastical and political fellow.
MP Nlih ychOdols aud to-day not traitors breath
lrhies the communion OF the Church to which
20 Delshg. Receive from ourselves personally from
ne venerable assembly in whose are here from
he Whole christian community with which we arc ileu
eu assurance Of cordial sympathy in your mort try.
" lcs4'V ana under the dread respOnsblitics that
ait 1aea 10 bear and viii not cease to invoke
m your Dehaii the wisdom that is from above which Ia
st pm ana men peaceablr and 10 i'm porc that under
h siuahep OF nm who is first King OF Kigltcousue,s
yu may 4e'u oiti the naton from The dark a.d tangled
l mn lh'o winch 1t has come 10 complete and pcrD h
anu IN order TO this end. to thai knoNleee OF
a "ioh aVile can make II fee, and to that
- m ~ ~ which only The nation Is exalted Aud
~aY hhoweb, Mr. President, whether thou art come 10
VIC hibsuOm nor such q time and end as this
Thompson Wallace, brother Of the late GOV.
IlnNld M allana i'll o. lnxc Il 49, w. v.