Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-02-01
A Foolish Custom" Abolished.

vanced thought have abolished he'll
with all its accomplishments. but We
cannot refrain from referring to the
significant fact, that through the Wis
dom or unwiSdom Of our assembled
law breakers, the sessions Of the As
sembly are opened without prayer.
1t is true that year after year. mum
bers Of preachers have presented
themselves as anxious to receive pay
for officiating in this service, and
that the subject has been one of
contention for some time. but it is
also true that the resolution vote.i
down in the present Assembly wax
simply Il resolution t. invite the res
ident clergymen Oh Madison to open
the Assembly with prayer, without
Offering them any compensation for
so doing.
There seems to be q sort of incon-
gruity about continuing the foolish
custom in the higher branch of thu
legislature and emitting it in the lower.
and we would take the liberty Of sug
costing to some member of the lower
house who desires to earn the title of
honorable by becoming the father Of
Il law, that he at once win green
laurels for his brow,as well, by framing
and presenting Il bill which shall have
for its object the punishment of ali
Senators, who shall hereafter, in CON
tempt OF the decision rendered upon
the question by the honorable body Of
which lie is Il member, vote for or III
any way countenance, the absurd GUS
custom Of permitting prayer TO be-
offered in so dignilied Il body as tho
Wisconsin Senate.
Indeed, we learn that a bill has
already been entertained by the As
senbly which provides for the punish
mcnt of any teacher who shall III
troduce, or permit religious services
Of any nature whatsoever, IN TIN
University, normal or other public
schools belonging to, or supported
by the state.
The move which we suggest would
be only another step in advance Of
this one, and ii would be IN evidences
of the great progress we have made
Since the formation Of the govern
ment.
II Will not lie out Of place to quote
here the words Of the immortal Bea
Franklin, uttered III the Convention
which framed the federal Constitution.
They are 50 eloquent and apply with
such force to our present subject tina!
we offer no apology f1r transferring
them Al length, from the records f.
our columns:
In the beginning Of the contest
with Great Britain, when we We're
sensible Of danger, we had dailY
prayers IN this room for tic Divine
protection. Our prayers, sir, We're
heard and they were grariouSly
answered. All of Us who were en-
gagged Ill the struggle must have o.
served frequent instances Of 4 super
intending Providence III our favor
10 That Kind Providence we owe this
happy opportunity Of consulting il
prtee on Tie means Of establishing
our future national felicity. And have
we NOW forgotten that powerful
Frieud9 Or do we imagine that we
no longer need his assistance? | have
lived long time and the longer |
live the more convincing proofs seq
of this truth-TnAT Cop GOVERNS
IN THE AFFAIRS or MEN And if
i sparrow cannot fail to the ground
without Ills notice, is il probable an
empire can rise without His aid? We
haze been assured, sir. in the sacred
writings that except the Lord buibl
the house, they labor IN vain that
build it." | believe this, and ais
Deheye thas without His concurrlng
MD we shall succeed in this political
building ne better than the builders
st Babel. | therefore beg leave to
move, that prayers imploring tbs
assistance Of heaven and its blessings
Oh our deliberations, he held in this
Assembly every morning before VIZ
proceed to business, and that one 81
more Of the clergy If this city be
requested 10 oiliaiate ii that service.
II II gratifying. however. to 10 a.
smed that eur wise Solons have such
strong faitil IN their own political
wisdom. That they would consider any
nssiAtnnrn 81 PrnNiln,1cn an imnnr.