The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-10
In the Constitution.

Once moro an old question. which cannot
be spoken Of without using q phrase that
seems to US akin TO irreverence, IL before
Congress. We refer to that question In pol
itics ordinarily known as-pause. reader =
"GoD in the Constitution" On Tuesday
Of this week 1.-The House Committee on the
Judiciary gave q hearing upon the reso-
luton Of Congressman MORSE (Rep.l
Of Massachusetts, which declares that
Cop should be recognized In the
Constitution" Among those who deliv-
cred arguments before the committee in
favor OF the proposed constitutional amend
ment were two or three clergymen and sew
eral lsymen. They argued In effect that the
Deity is concerned about procuring q recog-
milton OF His existence in the Constitution
Of the United States and that the omission
from that document Of the Name by which
He Is known among men Is q virtual denial
Of His Being. 1t seems to Us that q thought
OF this kind. or language OF this nature.
must be offensive TO every reverent mind.
TO every person who has any conception of
the incomprehensible power. majesty. and
glory OF the Eternal and Omnipotent
Creator Of the universe.
The great majority Of the trainers OF the
Federal Constitution were OF the Christian
faith. true believers In Cop. as certainly
was GEoRaE WASHINGTON. the President
OF the Convention by which 1t was
framed; but neither WASHINGTON nor
the other members Of the Convention
thought 1t necessary to proclaim their re-
ligious faith anywhere in the text OF the
Constitution. which was ordained for purely
secular purposes. or. as set forth in Its pre-
amble. lin order to form q more perfect
union. establish justice. insure domestic
tranquility. provide for the common de-
fence. promote the general welfare.
and secure the blessings Of liberty
70 ourselves and our posteHty." There
were men of that time who desired
TO form a union between Church and State:
but. fortunately for the peace and freedom
OF our country. they were unable to carry
out their design, which was finally frus-
trated by the frst constitutional amend
ment. providing that Congress shall
make no Law respecting an establish
ment OF religion. or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof" Thus happily were
the United States relieved from all danger
OF q national ecclesiastical establishment.
Our Government is exclusively secular. yet
not anti-rsligious. We have no doubt that
at least some Of those who appeared before
the House Judiciary Committee last Tues
day would like 10 amend the Constitution
IN this respect. perhaps even to introduce
dogmatic passages into it. II is impossible
for them TO win success In any endeayor OF
the kind.
We learn by a despatch from Washington
10 contemporary that. after the clergy
men had made their speeches before the
House Committee on Tuesday. a lawyer
arose and said that there were persons
who desired TO be heard on the other side
Of the question. The suggestion was a
shocking one TO the religious representa-
tives. and for moment q dead silence
filled the room. The Chairman in low tones
responded that the committee would con-
slider the request"
1t does not seem 20 Us necessary OF de-
sirable that the other side of the question
should be heard by the committee. The
change sought for by few men is not de-
sired by the American people. II would not
be 10 the Interest OF religion. IL would not
promote the religious or the political or
other interests OF the community. 1t could
not affect the government Of COP. The
speeches OF its advocates seem U US grossly
irreverent, especially when they speak Of
honoring the Almighty" by putting His
Name In the Federal Constitution. as an
amendment thereto!