Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-04-23
Christian Statesman.

Christian Statesman.
We have received a copy Of the
CArtstian Statesman, q paper published
IL Philadelphia by the fanatics of tho
nln4 4tcenth century in the interest Of
modern priestcraft and in antagonism
10 the Republican institutions of our
country as given to us by our fathers
IN the Constitution of the United
States. Among other reasons urged
for <hanging our Constitution SO as to
rocoelixe "a God, q Christ, a Sabbath" !"
10, We arc told that The omission Of
thsn in the original Constitution was
an oversight Oh the part Of its fram-
ers. But unfortunately for their argu.
ment, history refutes the silly suggos.
ton. The experiment Of a church
| and State combination had been made
by ess nsst settlers Of our country,
and the appalling result had been fear.
fully witnessed both in the Eastern
and in some Of the Southern States
under the Colonial governments.
The Puritans in New England, and
tho church Of England in Virginia, had
their religious creeds and Ecclesiasti-
cal powers fully recognized in their
respective charters. They acknowl.
edged God and a Sabbath, and they
had power TO exterminate from their
colonies all who dissented from their
dogmas, Us beretics. In New Eng.
land men and women and children
were fined, imprisoned, cruelty whip.
ped and tortured, and some were sold
into slavery, others tied to cart tails
and publicly whipped through the
streets, others had their ears cut off,
their tongues bored through with red
hot irons, and others were hung, on
no other charge than that Of worship
ing God according to the dictates
of their own consciences. Baptists,
Quakers, and all others who dared to
avow other religious sentiments than
what were pronounced orthodox by
the ruling party, were treated with
cruelty and barbarity BY those self.
styled "christian statesmen" who held
the reins Of government. In Virginia
where the church of England was the
recognized order, many of the most
faithful servants of God were fined
and imprisoned, for preaching the gos
pei without license from the established
church. 1t is o well authenticated
historical fact that the first great
speech in which Patrick Henry dis
tinguished himself was his successful
plea for the release Of three preachers,
who stood indicted "for preaching the
gospel of the Son of God" in the State
OF Virginia. And that Elder Jeremiah
Moore was incarcerated in prison for
tho same offence, and the mittimus
from the court TO the jailor ordered
him to commit the body of Jeremiah
Moore TO prison, and to hold him there
til he should rot, "for preaching the
gospel contrary 10 the law" And
ths,,e rrc some now living who rs well
as the writer Of this article, can well
remember when Thomas Jefferson was
denounced as q wicked in6del for his
opposition to Priestcrait and advo-
cacy Of the inalienable right of men.
Now, with all these facts before US,
which at the time Of the framing OF
the federal Constitution were agita-
ting tho whole country, to say that
the omission to embody in the Consti-
tuition o religious creed was an over
sight, is simply preposterous. When
the oppressed citizens OF our country
had become weary Of the shackles Of
priestcraft and of king-craft, they re-
solved to free themselves from both,
or perish in the attempt. The clergy
of the established churches were the
most bitter opposers Of the Revolu-
ton they plead for the divine right
of kings TO reign, and Of their subjects
to implicitly submit and obey. They
prayed publicly for the success Of the
British forces which were employed
against US. They were banded with
tho Tories, Cow Boys and Indians, and
resisted 10 the utmost extent OF thelr
ability the attainment OF our liberty
And when the Delegates OF Tho col
onies were in Convention preparing
the articles OF confederation to be sub
mitted TO tho colonies and to the pco.
pie TO be accepted as the fundamental
law, the clergy were clamorous Tor
the insertion OF some provision for the
church, or for the clergy. Ths mat
ter was not overlooked, but " was duly
considered, and as the result OF care
fal and mature deliberation, it was de-
tcrmined TO insert 10 the Constitution
the irrevokable decision, that no law
should ever DO made under u, Tor the
support ofany religious establishment
or 70 prevent the Tree exercise oi re-
hg,on, IN the on,ted o,ates.
1t IL true christian may DO
statesman, and statesman may DC
| CbrietinD, but the two are radically