Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-03

St. Louis papers publish two important letters
condemnng the tesi oath prescribed by the Con
stitution of the State, and which is now enforced
by the arrest of clergy men. lawyers and school
teacher, who have neglected to take it. These
letters written by Hon. b CRATE BRowS and
Rev HrSRI A. NELSON, both well known radi-
calls. aud addressed to the Governor of the State
Mr. BRowN writes as follows:
ST. LOUIS. Sept Ii, 1865
GovKRNoR: enclose YOU letter from Rev
Henry A. Nelson. OF thus city nov temporarily
absent in the city of New York, which has been
cent TO my care to be delivered to you on your
return from the East. Ii comes from one who
has been eminent for his loyalty throughout the
rebellion-eminent both as a thinker and
worker. not only in the walks of private life, but
also in the line Of his ministerial duty-and who
has done as much to yindcate the true principles
of freedom and Uuion as any in Missouri
| therefore the more cordially commend his
letter to your careful consideration You will
see that the provision in one ofths clauses of the
New Constitution, requiring the qualifications of
! oath from ministers of the Gospel, involves
other matters than the mere question of dis
loyalty. This no one perhaps could have failed
to recognize. but for the excited state of public
| feeling, consequent on the rebellion The pro-
| test. however, Of such men as DR.. Nelson, and
others | could name. is in itself sufficient proof
that the bearing of the requirement runs deeper
| than some allege, and trenches upon what many
believe to be their liberty of conscience as re-
CARDS the ministerial function Under such cir
| cumstsnces, and invested as you are with
authority 90 stay or remit the execution
of penalties, IL will be for you 10 de-
termne how far respect shall be had by
the Executive Of eur State tor that liberty of
conscience when il deems itself invaded, aud
when IN no wise connected with disloyal courses
For my own part | feel i, right TO say to YOU
that am not one OF those who believe the pres
ent Constitution - be perfect instrument, and
| shall be gai 10 see IL amended in several i'm
portant respects at "a carly day as practicable:
and. especially. ia all those respects that place
limitations upon the right Of suffrage predicsted
on distinctions OF race and color and that under.
take to re establish in our land the connection be.
tween Church and State and TO use the power
OF the latter TO purge the former through the in
strumentality of test osths am devoted to
civil and religious liberty on principle, aud can
not consent TO the violation of either, no matter
how dear they msy be to the ruling prejudicss of
the tins and IL is the initial OF such infractoo.
that should be opposed. for when once hedged
about BY other interests. aud connected even IN
imagination with the retention OF political power.
they become difficult to uproot What is required
10y the State TO day as qualification for preach
ing may tomorrow be further extended as a
qualification for worship; and the State under
taking to say who may worship publicly, and
who may not, might 20 on a step further re-
curing all TO worship. aud prescribing the mode
OF that worship Theirs is no assurance against
such ending, except the repression of such be-
ginning Stinding, as | do. FOR entire, absolute
liberty OF conscience--for total severance be-
tween Church and Stste-for the right Of each
man 10 approach God. in behalf OF himself or
others. without any civil control or in,erposi,on
cannot ind it ompstible with such PRINCIPLES
% indorse the imposition OF test oaths upon min
sters and priests, As such, in their religious ca
pacity
have tie honor TO remain, nv dear sir.
yours, truly. T. GRArz BRowS