The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-19

It was the first act OF religious freedom
that was ever passed In any legislative
assembly uu0n the race OF the EARN
Acts Of federation had been passed IN
England and in New England. but toll
Grafton is not freedom. liberation Inn
plies a right on your part 10 deny 10 me
my freedom. but out Of Christian char
~ and largeness Of mind you sacrifice
that riGat for my benefit. and as a con-
cess,ou out Of your ovn GOODNESS.
Religious freedom Is different pr.1c--
pie from that. As an act Tor the e-tan-
lishment Of religious freedom. as defined
in the preamble Of the law. IL was abso-
lutely original in the annals OF les-sia-
too.
Thomas jefferson was the author OF
that remarkable document. u beg-ns. i
these words. Whereas. Almighty Coz
hath created the mind free. so that nA
attempts 10 influence 10 by temporal uut-
ishments or burdens or by civil incapa.
tations tend 0nly 10 heget habits OF ny
rocr-sy AM meanncss, and are Dc
parture from the plan 81 the Author OF our
holy religion who. being Lord pOtn OF
body ana mind. yet chose not TO- ptopa-
gate it ~ cOorC-lns. as was Ills aiml1ulF
power 10 do, that the lmplqus prt1-hY-
tion of legislators and rulers. civ.l ne
we'll as ecclesiastical. who being theIh-
selves hlt falIihie and uninsp'rtd men.
have assumed dominion over the ialtn OF
others. setting up their own opinions
and modes OF thinking as tho only true
and infallihle. and as such c'ieatoi -l.s
tO impose them on others. hath establish
al or maintained false religions over ihe
greatest part OF the world and in all
time That is the beginning. and this is
tho close. THAT 90 suffer the c'Fl mag
istrate 20 intrude his powers .nto me
ield ~ religious opinions ana 10 restrain
the profession 0r the propagation ~ prime
cipics ON sIspIciOn Of their DO tendency,
is a dangerous fallacy. because De-, being
tho Judge VIII make bis opinions noe
rule OF judgment. ana approve OF tJh-
leml The sentiments of others onlr as
they shall Square with or diuer from
bis own. that DO is time cnoueh for tne
TgHfful purposes OF civil government fp
Interfere Whcu principles break out -iIo
overt acts against peace ana good oi.eft
and. finally that truth is great. and VIII
prevail if lcf 90 herself. that she i- me
proper and sufficient anfagouist OF error
and has uOth.ng 90 fear from the cone
iirt. unless by human iniffposluon uis-
armed Of beer natural weapons. free af-t-
menf and debate. errors cedsins tn nr
dangerous when 10 is permitted freely 20
contradict them
And then follows the law establishing
religious freedom There is some thinE
Uailcf.. 100 the comments az me Key.
Francis H. Hawkes. ou those lor.e Wuils
of jefferson. They Illustrate enc DONNA
ton of personal prejudice and ID tradi-
tlonai imputatOn against another oF.
Swallowing ID broad and beautiful m-nd.
Hawkes. c0nfessos that jefferson. as
man ~ Intellect and of Ee1ius for snf-
eminent. was Che most - lIrI man -.Hi
fno country has pro iucrl. Nlf ur .Ifff
Chat Jefferson had ani,pai TO iu,
Church. and Hawks loved hif 'nurcn, dS
wc all do. And. then. without inFesil-ai
ing the grounds ho had absorbed t1r
traditional iWpufafIOn upon MIN uI iNr
Fedoral.sfs both in politics and iu fr-
iision that Doe was an enemy or 'hi.s-