The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-24

"Men die and their passions ole
with them-but after death, comes histo-
ry." The lessons taught by history are
never lost upon statesmen-and 1t the
American statesmen of the present day
were statesmen in anything butthe name,
they would have learned that lesson
which has taught other statesmen in 9th
er countries 20 profit by the experience
of the past. Test Oaths in Governments
are by no means new feature. In in
augurating them, the fears and the pas
sions that gave birth to them are adopted
while the wisdom that revoked them is
disregarded. When, in the sixteenth
century, Mary, Queen of Scots,
was held state prisoner in England, a
conspiracy was formed by few restless
and ambitious Roman Catholics to effect
her release and proclaim her Queen of
England. This conspiracy was defeat
ed by the Goverement. The parliament
met this demonstration by fierce
rigor, and Immediately passed the "Act of
Supremacy" which required that all per
sons who had ever taken holy orders or
any degree in the Universities, or had
been admitted to the practice of the laws,
or held any office in their execution,
should take the Oath of Supremacy,
when rendered by Bishop or by Com
missioners appointed under the great
seal. "The penalty for first refusal
was "premunire" or confscation of
movable estate. After three months, a
second refusal, incurred the pains of
high treason" This oath was rendered
to every member of the "House of Com
mons" 1t met with opposition. One
speaker said ait is not necessary; foras-
much as the Catholics of this realm dis
turb not, nor hinder the public affairs of
this realm, neither spiritual nor temporal.
They dispute not, they preach not, they
disobey not the queen they cause no
tumults nor troubles among the people
so that no man can say that thereby the
realm doth receive any hurt or damage
by them And where there is no sore
nor grief, medicines are superAuous and
also hurtful and dangerous" This act
was for the purpose of making the Cath
olics abjure their religion, and acknowl.
edge Elizabeth as the only true and legit
mate head of the English government
1t resembles the "Oaths" that would now
be forced ON the country, inasmuch as il
deprived of the equal protection of the
laws with all other subjects, those who
could not, and would not, take it. L
subjected their property to confscatior
and drove them from their professions
The government, despotic as it was
dared not execute it generally, and thu
Queen, impelled by that wisdom ant
foresight that distinguished her reign
discountenanced its enforcement. His
tory tells us of those whose persecution
have reflected dishonor in that govern
ment,l shall it be said that on a gcvorn
ment where civil liberty has received it
perfecting and finishing touches, sucl
things shall be Shall our future histo
rians chronicle such prosecutions as hav'
brought shame to the cheeks of advo
Gates of monarchicalI principles, and hant
them down as heritages to the posterity
of our republican and liberty loving gov
ernment No test oath for Southern
people is necessary, for they disturb not
nor hinder the public affairs of this gov
ernment. They dispute not, they dis
obey not the Government. They caus
no troubles among the people-so tina
no man can say that thereby the govern
ment doth receive any hurt or damage b
them. And where there is no sore nc
grief, medicines are superAuous and ais
hurtful and dangerous