New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-16
1 LE4E EROM HLSTORY.

We ask attention to few simple historical
facts that may be found to have weighty
lesson for these times. On the evening OF the
Goth of April, 1777, the first Constitution of the
State of New-York was adopted at Kingston,
IN the County of Ulster. That memorable body
of men, known first as The Provincial Con-
" press of the Colony of NcwYOTk,' but after
the ratification of the Declaration of indie
pendence on the 9th of July, 1916, styled
"The Contention of the Representatives of
4" the State of New-YOrk," was then as
sembled The roll of its members con-
tanned the names of a large portion of the men
of New-York prominent in her Revolutionary
history. On the 1st of August, 177G thirteen
of its most distinguished members Including
Robert X. Livingston, NewIOrk's representa-
tive in the Committee which drafted the
Declaration of independence with John Jay
as Chairman, were appointed Committee to
draft a Constitution for the State. The Con-
ventiOn had been driven out of the City OF
New-York by the enemy, and had sat at Har-
laem-at Kingsbridge in Philips ManOr-at
Fishkill-at White Plains-at POughkeepsie-
and closed its labOrs at Kingston. Its mem
bers had been called away to serve i'll the
Army, in Congress, as Judges, and IN other
civil capacities. On the 9th of March, 1777, the
draft OF the new Constitution was presented
to the Convention at Kingston, and read by
James Duane though in the handwriting of
John Jay, by whom it was chiefly framed.
After much consideration, and with q few
amendments offered by John Jay, Gouverneur
Morris, James Duane, and Robert R. Liyings-
ton, it was, on the Goth of April, adopted with
but ono dissenting voice.
This Constitution recognized no distinction
of color. 1t placed the White man and the
Black on precisely the same platform as to
their civil and political rights. 1t incorporated
the entire Declaration of Independence. 1t
proclaimed freedom of religious worship to all
men. 1t declared that the Adopted Citizen
should abjure not only his civil, but also his
ecclesiastical allegiance. We give few ex-
tracts:
S3s. "And whereas required, by the benevolent
principles OF rational liberty, not only to expel civil
tyranny also guard against that spiritual oppres
sion and intolerance wherewith the bgotry and ambition
OF and wicked priests and princes have scourged
mankind this Convention doth further, In the name and
by the authority Of the good people OF this State,
oRDAIS DETERMINE, AND DECLARE, that the free exer
else and enjoyment OF religious profession and worship
without discrimination preference, shall forever
849 "And this Convention doth further, in the name
and by the authority of the good people Of this state
oRBAS DETERMINE, AND DECLARE that it shall be in the
discretion OF the Legislature to naturalize oil such
persons and in such manner they shall think proper
prove all such Of the persons to be by them natural
ized being born in parts beyond and out OF the
United States OF America shall TO settle in and be
subjects Of this State shall take oath OF aleg
ance this State and a6ure and all allegiance
and subsection to all and every foreign king prince
potentate and State, IN all matters ecclesiastical "a vel
as civil"
The indictment and trial of Francis Ma
kennie, in tho reign of Queen Anne, fol
preaching in the City of New-York without
the Queens license, was familiar to those dis
tinguished lawyers who framed the Consttu-
ton. The allegiance to the English Church
and to the Bishop of London, who held and
exercised ecclesiastical jurisdiction in New
York, was abjured. The Protestant Episcopal
Church took its place as an independent Amer
lean Church. The theory and law of the
Constitution was that there should be freedom
of worship to all mankind, but that citizenship
should be full and complete, and that cell and
ecclesiastical allegiance should 20 together
Such was the groundwork of independence
and Liberty in the State of New-York. Can
we better preserve independence and Liberty
in the State of New York now by abandon
ing it'll
Tho Hawaiian Government gives free passes