Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-06-13
Which Church was our Form Of Govern
nnent Modelled After T--HistoricaI Quo
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msns Modsisd After i-sHisioriosi ps quo
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EDIToRs OF THE COMMERCIAL
Dear Si,y .--In your paper of last Saturday,
speaking Of the reunion Of the Presbyterian
Church, you say !" 1t has been asserted that our
Government was organized after that of this
Church. The assertion Is incorrect, rs appears
from the following historical quotations:
Jefferson, in Virginia, did more than most
others to give scientific and formal cast to the
principles Of liberty In Virginia, and thus largely
70 the United States; and 1t is not unimportant
70 show hew he obtained some of his ideas.
From the experiments and failures of the ancient
Greek Republics, he unquestlonably got many of
the checks and balances of his opinions. But he,
no less than Patrick Henry, got his first clear con-
ceptons OF free civil constitution from observa-
tiOn Of the results of freedom of conscience. Re-
llgious government, as exhibited by Baptist
Churches taught him the form Of government
best suited to the United States, There was
small Baptist Church which held Its monthly
meetings for business at a short distance from
Mr.. Jeferson's house, eight or ten years before
the American Revolution. Mr.. Jefferson attended
these meetings for several months In succession.
The pastor, on one occasion, asked him how he
was pleased with their Church government. Mr..
Jefferson replied that it struck him with great
force and had interested him much that he con
sidered il the only form 9fhue democracy then er-
isting IN The tvord, and had concluded that 1t would
ut luo Dtbb pun u government lot tle AlucilcHu
colonies. This was several years before the Dec
laration of Independence. This practical exhibi-
ton of religious liberty and equality would seem
then to have operated on Mr.. Jeffcrson's mind no
little in forming those principles of civil freedom
and government which he afterwnrd 30 ably de-
veloped and advocated. t5
There has been question raised whether 1t
was not Presbyterian Church in the neighbor-
hood, that Jefferson attended for this purpose.
Though matter Of no great consequence, 1t may
not be improper to remark that a gentleman of
the highest responsibility, and well known In
North Carolina, told the writer that his attention
having been called to the statement, and he know
ing that the venerable Mrs. Madison had some re-
collections on the subject, asked her In regard to
them, She expressed distinct remembrance Of
Mr.. Jefferson speaking on the subject, and al
ways declaring that 1t was Baptist Church from
which these views were gathered. Indeed, mo-
ment'S reflection would show that it could hardly
have been any other. For In no Presbyterian
Church Is the business ever transacted in the
presence of those who arc not members, II being
all conducted by "the session." as 1t is called,
consisting only Of the officers Of the Church, and
uniformly in p,ipate." at.
The above is from Rev. DR.. Curtis. Similar
testimony might be given from the historian,
Bancroft, but we deem the above sufficient.
G.. W. +.
In giving sc. w. r." the benefit Of d hearing,
we will say that we have no desire to be drawn
into discussion of the point raised by him. The
matter may be debated and settled by those hay
ing studied the subject more than we have, and
who are more deeply interested init. -EDs. Con-.