National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-03-08


300 Gar. at work, night and day Union
SouTH RYEGArE.--On Wcdnc sday the 2Ist
inst n meeting of the "Ctledonian society for
securing the religious amendment of the Ma
tional constitution" was held in West Barnet.
Judge Buchanan Of McIndocs was chosen
chairman, The secretary, Rev James NJ Be
attic of Rycgate made hi, report, aud the fol-
lowing gentlemen address he meeting.
Rcv's j. VI. farris Eros ttic--Scrvicc
Brown, The Honorable ID. Abbott Of Bar
net was chosen President. Rev w, j, Mac
doweli Of South Rycgate and Judge Buchanan,
Vice Presidents. Rev. James VI. Beattic was
continued Secretary, ard Mr. Laird Treasurer.
The following named gentlemen constitute
the executive committee Mcssrs james Ora
ham. Samuel Smalls, James Dickcy, Alcxan-
der Pringlc, WIN. Bone. The meeting was
opened by prayer, by the Rev, s. T. Frost Of
Groton aud closed by Rev Mr.. Norcross of
Mclndoes, The meeting was somewhat har-
monious and pleasant, though not without a
little variety of sentiment among the speak
ers, which helped 10 spice the ingredients,
aud arouse the latent fire of the orators II
was noticeable that several public speakers
presc At took no part in the meeting No rca.
son was gi, n. But it was supposed they de
clined to be made eats paws Of by the chief
movers of the scheme who wish the public to
accomplish for them wolk which hey them
selves viii not take part in, being of con
scienti0us turn Of m.ud.
To amend the constitution, proper rcprcscn-
tativrs must he sent to Congress and in order
to have proper repre- ,cntativc- ,rtcu, it is
self evident that the ballot box Is the place
and the way to make y mans inf lcncc felt.
And unless men exercise their II ,ht Of tho
Elective Franchise and send such men to Con-
gress Il atc favorable t. the movement. !
cannot see how they pursue the qucstIouaby
dogma of pelsuadhg others to Il o what they
would not do Themselves.
II il be sin FOR one man to vote it i. 4 sin
f r another, and 70 m IN s'lould 'xpe t an lth
or . d. what he v IuI MT 10 han eli N,
man should puta stumbling block or an occ.-
sion to tall in his brothers way" But what
law of God is violated it might bc asked in
taking a solemn vow of ale glance to support
the Government of the United States Does
that cath ask man to do any Thing which in
fact he is not already bound 10 form both
by the Gospel and tho moral law
Since the emancipation of the negro. the on
y alleged wrong in The Constitution is mega
tive otc namely. the absence Of the name of
the supreme Beiug-aud the non recognition
jesus Christ, and the christian religion But
thi- cannot inicferc with any mans conscience. |
seeing it IN no WY bctrnys any doctrine of
the Christian religion or iutiiugcs on the con-
science OF the simple minded.
There is nothing in the con.titu ion which |
any man need not siII w:thou, rcmouncing /
a single religious opinion. And it is one OF
he most astonishing tigmcnts of the ccclesias
icnl brain to convert negative into a post |
We. If a nation does mot choose as a nation. .
70 utter religion, dogma. has not prevent /
ID the States To do So, and the States many OF
hem at least, have recognized the God of /
heaven as supreme Ruler and tho moral law,
he proper basis of all civil authority. The
,xccllency of every article in the Constitution
5 admitted, and the fact that it IS lief, TO the
several states To do rs they please in religious
natter, cannot take away the moral priv ilogc
If any.
No one attempts to 81 ,mc Dulicl for hccom-
ng prince Of the presidents of Cholded
hough, the Supreme Ruler was n hcathcn.
Ior Joseph for accepting the office of prime
minister Of Egypt, though the monarch was u
'agan despot. Nor was Cornelius, an officer
luder the Roman Government refused the or.
finance OF baptism nor refused a'lmit;ancr in
. the church until he gave up his situation
md denounced the Supreme law.
HIAWATHA.