The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-01-28
Religion IL ths cdnstisutioi.

such wise that 1t shall cmbedy the recsgni
3 ton ofs God end 1.-THE divinity Of Chsisl
. Among these parties are some very Mlsh.i
omee, embracing Governors, Seaators, etc
20 that tho movement has lne prospect q
becoming prominent. Indeed, We arc toll
that 1t has already attracted the attention
o. tho Jews Of this country to such an ex
tent that they have commenced agitstiDi
against 1t. We see too, that some Of tn,
secular journals Of the country are takinl
ground against it for the reason that it !.
to certain extent the union of Church and
State and that it win boa mere entering
wedge to further amendments which will
be sectarian in their character. Thus the
sects may unite at FIRST to obtain the recog-
milton Of Christianity and afterwards the
moot numerous of them, for instance The
Methodists, may demand further amend
ment recognizing the views Of Wesley "a
the true doctrines of Christianity.
In the frst place, as to the formal re-
cognition of God, there is no need of it
Whatever, since that recognition is virtual
~ made by every constitution and law
which requires an oath to be taken by an
officer or witness. 1t is true that per-
sons who do not believe in God may act as
jurors and perhaps hold Office in some cases
without taking an oath, but the same pri-
vilege could be-secured by Constitution
which would still formally recognize the
existence and authority of God.
As to the divinity of the Christian faith
it is another thing. The understanding
was, upon the formation of this govern
ment, that all men of all creeds, or no
creed, were invited to come and help found
it. Jews were welcome, Mahomm edans,
and Pagans-all were welcome and all were
taught to believe that they had found a
country where no creed was to have apv
over another and where, in fact.
the government was to be simply and
purely voluntary social compact without
the slightest reference to religion and with
out any powers on that subjects. 1t il
manifest that, if any clause is to be now
inserted recognizing a certain religion as
the true one, this mere fact will be the ex-
tension of our political symtem over an en-
'irely new field of control; it will be, not a
modification, but a new creation, of power
n the government, radically changing its
aspect and introducing a new element
which may DO utterly distasteful to many
Who had been previously quite satisfied.
The question now presents itself if this
desirable, if it is well to introduce into
'ur Constitution the principle of religious
control, and give it jurisdiction over a
province from which it has hitherto been
aa1 t.
'ur legislators are wise enough to say in
allibly which is the right religion, they
re equally vested with the power to tell
8 what that religion is. If they can die
ate to all men the necessity of believing
the Christian religion, they can inform
lem just as dictatorially where this re
gion can be found and who are its teach.
g. 1t would be absurd to suppose them
Die to tell me that Christianity is right u
ithout their knowing what it really is, or al
require me to be a Christian without "
lowing when am one. The very first 10 10
ing IN which they would be called on for III
formation after adopting Christianity, &c
'uld be 20 say whether Christ had left a VI
dy of teachers to inform men, viva roce, of tn
doctrines mr. vbath.r fir
those doctrines for themselves by perus-
the Bible. If our legislative Solons w
'uid decide for the former proposition, the VI
vernment would be Catholic, if for the lat 10
Protestant. In either case there would 40
the union of Church and State which an
'testants pretend to abhor, and in 40,
Their case would there be that union of
lrch and State which Catholics approve, &c
is ridiculous to suppose that one set of the
zens in convention assembled, or other aid
e, can have any right to dictate to their DO,
ow-citizens that gift of faith which the tbc
'e of God only can give. Iu this mat mi
every man must judge for himself. 1t sid
duty which he cannot delegate to an T
It or permit another to nsurp any more mi,
he can remit to another the function dor
atiRg for him or of saying his prayers wei
lin. No man or body of men can pos the
: have the right of debating the re- Gle,
n of other man eycapk 1vbora;o kb,t