Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11
Is this a Religious Nation ?

For the individual ii is. AS com
m1Rity, emphatically no. As individuals
We may proudly claim that We are re-
hgious people; but when, as an organ
ization we speak of the country, we may
as proudly say thst no claims of piety are
made by Us. Those sturdy characters
who founded nation in the wilderness,
were men who fed from a religious per-
secution more barbarous than that OF
heathendom. acknowledge had invented
more exquisite means OF torture. These
men were familiar with the rack. the
ihumb-screw, and the boot. Having
passed through terrible ordeal, which
tried mems bodies as well SIS their souls,
they declared that this empire should be
one of freedom In thought and belief
Though strictly religious, they formed no
ecclesiastical laws TOR the community,
and freely admitted to the body polite
persons of ali beliefs and Of no belief
Thomas Jefferson held religion so lightly
he was stigmatized as 40 in6del; yet be
stood in The first rank OF statesmen 10
the new government. His career Of use
fitness was not destroyed by his lack OF
faith. Thomas Paine was a patriot
whose words, written and spoken, told
for liberty and freedom. His alter-life Of
dissipation, and bis subsequent loath-
some death DO not detract from the ser
vices be rendered the infant republic
We would not say that the services Of
these men were more valuable than those
OF pious men who labored in the same
cause. On the contrary, those whose
lives taught love of purity as well a.
OF liberty, have better record. Suil It
was intended that the infdel aud atheist,
II ne be good citizen and an honest
man, should have voice in the govern
ment, and should be welcomed IS a CO.
worker for human liberty. Il would. nG
doubt, be better tor the Country il al
holding places OF trust were conscientious,
Christian men. But an honest inhdei Is
better fitted Tor such preterment than is
q thievlng professor OF religion.
One would almos; imagine, to read the
comments upon the proposed nomination
OF Col. lngersoll IS Minister to Germany,
that We had laws prohibiting inhdels
from holding Office. The appointment Is
not likely 10 be made, but the mere rumor
has led to such an exhibition of bigotry
as would scarcely be looked for in peo-
pie which boasts 50 loudly oi its liberty
The religious or irrehgious convictions
Of candidate have nothing to do with
his qualifications for office. Is he honest.
faithful to his trust. aud qualified for the
position (? should be the only questions
asked. IL would be as fair TO talk OF dis
qualifying Jew or Presbyterian be-
eause Of his belief IS 10 dispose of Col
lngersoll's candidacy by remsrking "he
is sn in6del." II religion is strong
enough to enact test laws, the majority
should rule and the minority must sub
NIT. While there are no such statutes,
and while an effort TO pass any such
would be voted down by 30 large ms
jorities as would be given to-day, it is
absurd for persons to argue that so i'm
pOrtani a mission as that At Berlin should
not be occupied By an infdel. Christian
people should not be so anxious to ad-
vance their cause as to forget that there
is no union OF Church and State il this
republic.