New-York tribune., 1873-02-27
CHRISTIANIZING LAW
THE RELIGIOUS AMENDMENT QUESTION
NATIONAL CONVENTION AT COOPER INSTITUTE
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS.

NATIONAL CONVENTION AT COOPER INSTITUTE
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The National Convention to urge the sdoo.
tion Of a religious amendment the Constitution Of a.
United States began two days session yesterday aft
Doon the large hall OF Cooper Institute. Tho call va,
issued by the National Assocation which was orx.a
tied some years ago for the purpose OF seonrtns
such an amendment 10 the Constitution "a.
will suitably acknowledge God tho Author
OF tho nations existence and the ultimate
s0ure OF ts authority Jesus Christ as s ruler tA.
Bblo as the foundation of its laws and thus indoa.
that this is Christian nstOn, and place all Christian
laws Institutions and usages In Government on an
undenlably legal basis In the fundamental law of a
land" Although the Convention was calledsat .. m
the doors opened until 10 minutes before that
hour and person. opposed 10 Tho purposes OF the
Convention took this opportunity to distribute amons
the delegates pamphiets denouncng the movement
At 23O the Convention was called 10 order by John
Alexander OF Philadelphia, who stated the objects N.
Convention in brief speech. He said We called
together at time OF ordinary Significance The com
manding influence Of our American repubiicanism b
causing republics to be born In day and constant
vigilance be necessary to preserve liberty. preseu.
national necessity is that Christian statesanshp which
we have assembled together 10 promote. Ii L. there
fore, no transient sectional. party interest that has
called us to the metropolis OF American influence at
this time This national association desires to preserve
and perpetuate for ourselves. children and for the
example Of all the world tho glorious inheritance which
We have received fron Christian patriotic ancesss
We know from other history Of tho past vel from
Holy Writ that the nation that will not Him shan
perish.
The Rev. DR.. Milligan then offered prayer. A con.
rnittee on enrolment Of members appointed by tho
Chairman. 1t was stated that tho Convention was Do
signed be composed OF regularly chosen delegates
from religious bodies and local societies. but that maay
delegates had neglected 10 bring their certificates with
them Dr. Edwards said that he not a delegate
from any body, and he wished to know
where he stood in the Convention. Hs
was declared a representative Of the Ne
tional Association. Committee on Permanent orgsDi
zaon was asO appointed, and while the committees
were absent the hail. the Rev. ID. McAister, Gcp
Secretary Of the National Association, addressed
the Convention. Ho claimed that the nation was Chris
tan I'm origin and that the omission VI distinct
cognon of this fact in the Constitution Mas tie resa.
OF accident. From this omission the theory bad grad
ually arisen that we are distDctigely Christian
tiOD, until it had come 10 DO enumerated IN public
treaties and in judicial declHOns that the Christian
religion Is not q part OF our common law lt was Dov
claimed by the secular party that the Office OF chaplain
In public institutions should be abolished and that Sab
bath laws should be rescinded. We want q cOnstb,-
ton under which men who take brbes and GET trunk,
and are guilty OF other immoralites eau be removed
from office. he Committee on Permanent Organization
reported the following: ,,,--,- -, -
,nder Of Pa; John DAWSON n J. H. MaIxen Pa Apes@
Dr. b Bsnr,ri s ' n y the Rev Dr. s. r. Tysg n "
wari. L jane. wlggn n T. Dr. r. s. o. Wyis Pa D. sssa
seccars he samuel Collins, Pthqrgh The Rev. " j'ss
son. the Rev. w. II. TIGlny, and tie Rev. W. H. KNOX
Mr. Brunot then took 1.-The chair. In an.address lie at
trbuted the omission Of formal recognition otGod and
the Christian religion in the Constitution to the general
influence of French nhdelty upon our statesmen at the
time it was framed II was not perfect u bad been
improved by amendments since 10 auoption anu
should receive also the amendment, which the Conyen
tion had assembled to urge IN peace u and
forms were of men, and the acknowledgment Of ths
supremacy OF the Almighty was in strict accordance
and the nation Those who expressed the idea that the
proposed amendment would interfere with religion.
only an imperfect idea OF Protestant Christianity.
AZ the close OF the Chairmans address, the qnestioa
was asked by gentleman in the audience whether. AZ
sny time during the meeting opportunity 70 speak
would be given TO those not In accord with the purposes
man replied that such opportunity would net
probably be given. This was received with
app. SRPag;e; oI ras s'a member om pittsburgh oered
resolution which adopted, that time he set apars
Committee on Enrolment Of Members reported that
there present 2e6 delegates from IA drcn states
IA An address was then delivered by the Rev. DR.. E.
Cravers on The Religious Detect OF the Constitution"
He contended that a nation not merely aggrega-
ton OF diyidnas, but compact body united by com
Christian religion and God Is the ruler OF the nations.
but of nation in peculiar sense lie trained our
time gave It to them. They did not. in tho
adoption of the Constitution, make themselves siy =
given them IL would have been fitting II they bad then
the Author of their blessings not To do 80
was In efcct-nOt In intenttO deny the supremacy OF
God in our nation. This defect could only be reeued oy
q supplemental addition TO our Constitution. IL has
been claimed that the Constitution impiedy recognizes
the sovereignty OF God, in the oath which 10
REQUIRES certain officials TO take, but even the Pres
Dental th emasculaed by the omission OF the tmo
honored ciBuse, so help ne God ); and under ths
clause providing that 10 religious test shall be apped
man may take the oath, aud at the same
time proclaim himself atheist. The speaker
thought that neither the exclusion Of Sunday from
the business days OF the week, nor the uso
Of the formula In the year Of Our Lord 10 the Cons.
tuition were evidences of tacit acknowledgements OF
the Christian religion. He thOnght that there was
studied avoidance OF the subject.
The evening session was opened with prayer, aitsf
which the Rev. DR.. j. H. McllyaiD made brief address
stated that the object OF the Convention was 10 tae
tuition of the United states should recognize the God
Of nations At this point he was interrupted by voice
wildly exclamng that the assertion was not true Con
siderable excitement ensued but when order was again
disparity OF morality in political life and N
individual existence. He claimed that the lana was IN
every respect Christian. and saw no reason why We
should not not have Christian form OF government
short speech He spoke OF the objections made 10 the
undertaking. DIR. Tying was followed oy a A: hlnor,
whose address entitled "The Influence OF National
Silence IN Regard TO Fundamental Law -,
law and public acts. He stated that common law had
given place almost entirely 10 public acts that the
State OF New-York had already passed 504sO laws, ana
that nothing bat the dexterty OF the criminal popu
there has not been made special ehAcs
meut From these facts he proceeded
show the necessity OF change in the Constitution ths'
wonld enable the laws OF the land 10 stand Oh Chr
basis. The opening OF puplc libraries on ounasS
was severely censured.