The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-04

Fly referring 70 the history OF the debate
over the framing Of the Federal constitu-
ton. in 1859. We find that Mr.. Pinkney.
of South Carolina, moved that mo re-
iigious test shall ever b required A. q
qualification to any Office or public trust
under the United States" He Was sup
ported BY the Rev. Mr.. Bsckus, Of Massa-
ehusetts, Who said that religion II ever o
matter between God and individuals. and
that therefore no man or sst Of men can
impose any religious test without invad-
ing the essential principles Of our Lord
Jesus Christ The imposing Of religious
tests hath been the greatest engine Of
tyranny In the world" Oliver Wolcott. Of
Connecticut, said that "as We know not
what may take place hereafter. any such
test would be destructive of the rights Of
free citizens; / cannot think 1t superfluous
TO have added . clause which assures NJ
from the possibility Of such oppression.
James Madison. OF Virginia, said: ''The
subject OF religion for the honor Of Amer
lea should be left perfectly free and
unshackIed; the government has no
jurisdiction over it. The multiplicity
of secss which psrvades America is the
best and only security for religious liberty
In any society. For where there IL such .
variety Of sects there cannot be a majority
of any ono sect TO oppress and perseeuts
the rest" Mr.. Iredeil, of North Carolina,
said: America has set an example to
mankind to think moro acknowledgement .
man may be Of religious sentiments differ
ing from our own without being a bad
member of society. In Roman Catholic
lands principles of moderation are adopted
that would have been spurned q century
or two ago. IL will be fatal. indeed. when
examples OF liberation are set by arbitrary
governments, that this country should
adopt principles on this subject that were
narrow, despotic and illibsrai."
The great statesmen who favored and
adopted this article OF tho constitution
did IL on the ground tn at provision should
be made against the future. They were
wise in their day and generation, for in
September 1859. when Roman Catholic,
appointed by President Jackson, sat on
the United States supreme bench, We
find Henry A. Wise, of Virginia, congress-
man. governor and Confederate brigadier,
made a powerful speech against Know
nothingism. which he denounced as
against the spirit Of Magma Char,a in its
prescription of persons Of foreign birth
and Catholic faith: he denounced il be-
cause it attacks the American doctrines OF
equality of citizenship and the authority
of public sentiment. Gov. Wise de-
nounced Know no;htneism as against the
spirit of Reformation and Professionalism.
lie described knownothlngism IS sitting
and breeding in secret TO prescribe Cath
olics and naturslszed citizens As utterly
unlike Professionalism which protested
against secrecy. against prescription,
higetry aud intolerance. 1T fought the
owls and bats of night with the light of
meridian day. The argument of Know.
nothingism Is the argument OF silence; il
ignores all knowledge. aud its rroscri ption
excluding Catholics and nssurslized eisi.
gems. IL must prescribe natives and
Proiesssnts both who will not consent. TO
unise in prescribing Catholics and natural.
lied citizens. Nor 10 that all; 10 must no..
only apply to birth and religion: il must
necessarily extend itself to the business o,
life ~ we'll as TO political preisrment.."
These words Of this able virginisn we're
uttered nearly sorty-two years ago. and
ye, they are worth reading today BY thoss
who are foolish ard ignorant enough "a
revive knownoihingism, with us absurd
and pernicious political and social "eoy-
eots" Of Roman Catholics. These sen,i.
ments Of Gov. Wise. Of Virginia, were in
dessed by the great Republican statesman
and leader Of aha, day, William Ii. Sew
ard, and by the great Republican editor,
Horace Greeley. 1, IS one tains to discuss
Roman Catholic dognas from the pulp ., /;
thai 10 ms;ssr of clerical rolemics: ii is
quite another ,hipg To Insult . great church
hy telling lies on the platform concern
Ing It's history Ia America. and By
obscene insiaaatioas Of iTasaoral relations
eeswess the clergy ard the women Of the
congregation, ana by limitations that
liosat.essne.s Prof Rudolph. ex-Cssh-
ole priest, in his recent lecture ca Re-
nsaaissa, insaltsd The intelligence Of bis
audience ey saying that President Earri-
son had besn ''3fivea to attend she de3i-
estson 81 s CasAolie university 81 Wash
. ingssa Cay merely from tie influence Of
iesais James q. "a aiae ard . fear of ,ks