The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-04-29
The Constitution and the Preachers.


A meeting has been held in Philadelphia
in aid Of movement now on foot to secure
the Incorporation into tho Federal const:,
tation Of another amendment. Aspolitical
affairs seem 70 have been settled by the Rad,
ical element Of the country to its salisfac-
ton, il Is beginning 10 turn its attention to
religious matters. The following is the
proposed amendment:
'swe, the people Of the United States,
acknowledging Almighty God rs the source
| of all authority and power in civil govern.
ment, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Ruler
among the nations, and His will revealed in
tho Holy Scriptures, rs Of supreme authori.
| ty,l in order TO constitute Christian Gov
eminent form a moro perfect union, cstab.
| lish Justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare, do or,lain and establish
this Constitution for the United States OF
America"
One Of the reverend gentlemen who id
dressed the meeting said;
ave were living under a Government
that acknowledged no religion-no God
aud we wanted Government that had a
moral purpose, not merely in the men that
WELD the law, but in the Government itself,
and this can only be obtained by regard
for the laws Of God. A nation that does
not recognize the Christian religion is n
notion without n guide. We are the only
nation that is atheistic in our Government,
and God will punish this nation for its IN.
fidelity as certainly as lie did for its oppres.
sion. 1t was his belief that there would yet
be such controversy on this question as
this nation has never heard. All over the
country the question is being discussed, and
the highest minds in the land are taking
hold of II, and he felt assured that il would
| prevail.
We have neither the disposition nor the
intention to approach this subject irrever.
emily, and yet it is difficult to deal with ii
frankly and thoroughly without seeming
guilty of that offence in the eyes of many
worthy people. At the risk, however, Of
offending, we must enter our protest agains.
the further agitation of the proposition in
question. 1t is simply mischevous in itself
and is fraught with the most perilous con.
sequences. Although the great mass ofthe
people of the country heartily believe in the
acknc wledgment set forth in the proposed
amendment, that is no justification for iu-
sorting it in the Constitution. That Provi.
deuce will resent aud ayengo its omission
from our Fedora! compact Is suggestion
which we must avoid arguing, and content
ourselves with dissenting from what We re-
gard as but the emanation Ofan overzealous
and very narrow brain. The idea that any
"moral purpose is TO be infused. into the
Government, or any one connected with it,
by inserting in the Constitution the avowal
above set forth, appears to us to be but the
delusion Of a dreamer. With matters pure.
ly religious or theological the Constitution
has nothing whatever to do. 1t leaves the
spiritual accountability of individuals and
sects where it should be left- between them.
selves and Heaven. 1t nccords the priv,
leges OF citizenship to jew and Gentle, 10
the New England atheist, the Western
Mormon and the Chinaman Of California.
1t is NO more the business Of this Govern.
ment to trench upon any convictions Of any
of these people than it is TO try to convert
them outright by force, Moreover, this
movement will not stop here. II success.
fully carried out, some enthusiast will soon
discover that it is as essential for Govern.
ment to have Church as to have religion,
and Catholic and Episeopalian, Presbyter-
ian, Methodist aud Baptist may all have to
consent to the adoption, perhaps at the die
tation Of Massachusetts, Of national creed
II is high time, too, that clergymen should
let the Federal Constitution alone. The,
have done harm enough already by med
ding with the Government, and we ar.
satisfied that if, as they say, irreligion il
fast gaining ground, the cause is to be fount
in the passionate and salfsh conduct of Tia,
political preachers Of these latter days, Ne
clergyman can, in our judgment, have al
adequate idea of tho dignity, the holmes
and the duties of his sacred Office withou
finding some more practical, noble aud ex
alting work to do than that of amending tn,
Constitution. - baltimore Gazette.