Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-01
THE NATIONAL CONSCIENCE.
Shall We Recognize God? 2
The Last Leap Of Puritan Centralism

Shall We Recognize God?
The Last Leap Of Puritan Centralism.
| CINCINNATI, Jan. 31.-The National
| Convention to secure a religious amend-
ment to the Constitution, met to-day at
Thomas Hall. About ESQ delegates were
present from different States. NIB. Ha-
gaIls, one of the Judges Of the Superior
Court of Cincinnati, was chosen President.
Judge Hagans on taking the chair con-
graduated the delegates that they had met
peacefully without regard to sect or party to
discuss question OF much mement. He
welcomed them to the State and city, the
heart of the nation. He firmly believed
majority Of the people of the United States
approve the scope and end of this move
ment. An explicit acknowledgment
Of God in the Constitution is but the re-
cOgnition of an obligation on the part of
the State as binding on the National Con-
science as on that of the Independent
members. The nation is not compact
and does not live by the win of man. It
has its foundation in the man of nature
and existed before constitutions or laws.
The people clanor for legislation against
evil, but forget that insidiOus forces, tend
ing to National ruin, find strength in the
fact that the temple which the nation built
for itself does not blaze with the glcry of
the Ineffable Presence nor does its gar
ments, made with its own fingers, simmer
with the hold of its vine. The process of
decadence may 60 on to the utter ruin of
the nation and its temple.
He would not speak of the method for
attaining the end desired by this conven-
ton. The agitation of this question, he felt
sure, would not end till it was rightly settled;
for we have learned from our own history
that in the long run the people are right.
Letters were read from Judge Srfong, of
the Supreme Court of the United States,
Prof. j. Zelly, of Amherst College, DR.. Pat
terson, Of Chicago, and others, expressing
regret at their inability to attend.
Progress,
The Secretary read report of his doings
since Oct, 1871. Information has been re-
ceived of thirty organizations with member
ship between two and three hundred. Be-
sides there has been much public discus
sion. Within the year over two hundred
public meetings were held, National Con-
vention was deemed advisable, and Cincin-
natl selected as the place, because it was
the scene of the agitation of the question of |
the Bible in the schools. Experience con- !
firms the belief that the progress of the |
movement depends on the thorOughness of |
its presentation to the minds of intelligent |
citizens.
Topical.
The schedule of topics for discussion at
the convention are as follows: Relation of |
education to religion; the moral character
and accountability of the nation; the neu-
trality of the State in morals and religion a
thing impossible the relation of the writ
ten constitution to the true character and
welfare of the nation; the practical value
and effect Of the proposed amendment.
A Disturbing Element
Came by notice given by F. E. Abbott,
editor of the Toledo Weekly Inder, a paper
devoted to the interests of free religion,
hat he desired to utter a remonstrance
against the object of this Convention.
Objection was made, and he appealed to
he chair to say whether or not he could
liter such remonstrance.
Thomas Shaw, of Cincinnati, SAID if this
we're a National Democratic Convention, a
Republican would hardly insist on naming
he candidate for President, and he thought
be same rule should apply here.
Rev. A. Richie thought respectful re-
ought to be received.
Rev. Chauncey Barnes, of Athens, O.
this element of opposition; it
vas the scourge that would elicit the truth.
esus Christ was the more clearly revealed
'ecause Of the opposition he met. This
emonstrance should be received in kind
ness and killed by kindness.
On motion, Mr.. Abbot was requested to
educe his remonstrance to writing and
resent it to the Committee on Business, S
D whom the whole subject was referred. =
Resolutions.
At the evening session the Committee on !
resolutions reported resolutions which
7ere laid over for discussion. They declare
nat State exercising jurisdiction over a
llllions OF human beings and a sovereign d
rbitor of life and as educating power has I
ecessarily moral character and account
bility Of its own; that it is the right and
uty of the United States as a nation set a
ed by christians, with christian laws and G
sages, and with christianity as its greatest b
)cial force, to acknowledge itSelfin its Con- Ia
tuition to be a christian nation; that the O
ilure by the nation to acknowledge its re- II
tiOns to God has foStered the theory that al
e government has nothing to do with Te- o.
zion but let it alone, and that State laws ol
favor of the Sabbath, christian a
arriage and the use of the U
ible in the public schools are unconstitu- pi
onal; that we recognize the necessity of bl
mplete harmony between our written con- Sc
tuition and the actual facts of our ma 81
,nal life and the true way to effect this al
.Imony is not to expell the Bible and abb th
gate the laws enforcing Christian morality Sc
ID abolish ali devout Observances in con- al
ctiOn with the government and all idea of d;
ID and religion from our schools, but to
Sert an explicit acknowledgment of God &c
d the Bible in the fundamental law; and
at the proposed religious amendment is
rectly opposed to union of church and
ate.
The convention will close its sessions to- &C
JrroW. 10