The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-02-02
GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.
Second Days Proceedings OF the Gin.
clnnati Convention.


Convention In favor OF q religious amend
ment TO the Constitution met this morn
ing, DR.. Brown, Of Titusville, In the chair
The Committee on Business reported III
favor Of allowing the remonstrance Of MIR
+. L. Abbott to be read.
MIR. Abbott did not read his remon.
STRANGE, but mado few remarks lndicat.
ing its character, 10 which Rev. A. D.
Mayo briefly replied. The discussion
was then stopped by motion 10 have the
rcmonstrancc referred 10 DR.. Mayo, with
instructions TO present 1t with his rcDly
for publication, together.
The reso lions presented last evening
were then taken up Sertatim, discussed
anu passed, with some slight amendments.
In the third resolution the word State was
stricken out, so as not TO limit ii 10 State
laws. The discussion on the resolution
in regard to the Bible in the schools
was somewhat extended. Rev. Ii. II.
George made point that the question Of
legality OF the requirement 10 have the
bible read In the public schools was
pending in the Supreme Court Of the
State of Ohio, and would, II possible be
taken to the Supreme Court of the United
States, where, although Justice Strong,
Chairman OF this Court, and other Chris.
ttans were on the bench who were desir.
ous Of giving the bible to children Of the
country, they would be obliged to decide
the question according to the constitution
ality OF the law. In the Constitution OF the
United States, he said there was no clause
recognizing religion or morality, and
therefore the enemies of the bible had
much to hope for when the question
came before that court.
MIR. Abbotts remonstrance was that
this proposed amendment would have
tendency to create an aristocracy
OF the Christians; would incite pcrsecu.
ton; would render incapable Of holding
office all citizens who could not subscribe
to the principles Of Christianity, and that
the surest way to secure the ruin of the
country and Of the Christian religion
itself, was TO engraft q creed in the con.
stitution OF the State. Adjourned until
2 o'clock, 7. NJ.
Rev. .AD. Mayo replied to Mr.. Abbott: I:
He said that this protest contained the
gist Of popular objection to this move.
ment; that the nation will be bound TO
deny oil political rights TO all who do not
believe in Christianity, and will cause per.
secution and final war. Itseemed strange
that suct such calamities should be fore.
told, for what this Convention asks is
simply TO put in the Federal Constitu.
ton what is already incorporated in nearly
all State Constitutions. The Constitution
of Ohio, under which Mr.. Abbott lives,
contains every idea proposed for the Ma.
tional charter. Has he suffered persecu.
ton? The trouble with Mr.. Abbott's
class Of thinkers was that they do not un.
derstand the character of the American
people, or that the Government is not q
logic machine that takes out one abstract
proposition from the Constitution, and
without regard to the genius, history or
character Of the people, rides that out to
chaos. The American government is
practical. So far from being oppressive,
no government ever acknowledged the
complete spiritual and political rights OF
man till Christianity, with its law Of
universal love and liberty, had inspired
the people of the United States to make a
government under which Mr.. Abbott can
denounCe Christianity, and even threaten
q new rebellion, with no one to molest
him or make him afraid. The people Of
the United States say leave religion to
the churches, so far rs creeds and Gcclesi
astical polity are concerned, but they &C.
knowledge an obligation OF obedience to
God, and to live up 10 the highest NOR.
ality known to man or State, which,
under the influence Of Christianity, made
Christian morality the ideal OF every civ
iliZed State. Missouri after the rebellion
formed a new constitution, and put in its
preamble more full acknowledgment
Of its dependence on God than any State,
and even thanked God for saving them
from the rebellion. They did not disfran.
chise disbelievers but enfranchised the
very rebels they thanked God for deliv.
ering them from. No union OF the
Church and State followed, for they gave
most tremendous guarantees of religious
fliberty. This the people Of the United
States will finally do. They will perse.
cute no man except him who seeks to de-
sroy the inheritance Of American free
dom, and he will be destroyed. Zap,
plautc. .
The Committee on enrolment reported
over $50 delegates from 10 different
States, vizI Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
York, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Mis-.
souri,, Kansas, Kentucky and West Vir-
ginia.
Mr.. McCallister introduced the subject
| of the necessity of money.
Prof Milligan said it would be coward.
ly TO turn back now, but forward move
ment required money.
The sum Of $3.50 was collected. Pend.
ing the collection, Rev. Chauncey Barnes,
Of Athens, Ohio, took the stand and was
proceeding TO show by chart the princi.
pies Of that belief to the practical gov.
ernment OF Christ-Onc OF the peculiari-
tics Of this was that the preachers should
have no salaries.
| He was called to order. Prof. Sloane
said his chart was On absurdity.
| Mr.. Barnes hoped the spirit Of prejudice
would be cast out OF the convention. He
was speaking of what God had moved
him to do. "Rev. Mr.. Barnes has built q
spiritualist temple in Athens county"
Reply-If the spirit Of God which aetna.
ted the man in Athens county would
move the hearts ot persons present, the
convention would be more liberal.
A voice-What church do you belong
to?
Mr.. Barnes-Don't belong TO any Of
your earthly man.giVen governments.
believe in the government Of the Lord
Jesus Christ. lwant you TO understand
am talking against the spirit Of prejudice
The Chairman called himto order. A
scene of disorder prevailed. Cries o.
"Stop him" ""Put him out"
When quiet was restored Mr.. Barnes
said he had been excited, and as Pau