The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17

lectual. and spiritual bondage, dark
ness. and death.
This country is great for one reason
more ,han for any other. and that is
this: The founders Of this Government
stood lor religious liberty. We quote
from him who. more than any ether
man. stands for all that IS great and
noble in the founding and in the early
history OF this nation:
Every man who conducts himself as
a good citizen. is accountable alone TO
God for his religious faith, and should
be protected in worshiping God accord
ing TO the dictates Of his own con-
science. George Washington.
And from other leaders Of the nation:
Almighty God hath created the mind
free. All attempts TO influence il by
temporal punishments or burdens, or by
civil Interpretations. tend only to beget
habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and
are a departure from the plan OF the
holy Author of our religion, who, being
Lord. both of body and mind. yet chose
not TO propagate it by coercion on
either, as was in His almighty power to
Go.'-ThOmas jefferson.
Religion is not in the purview Of
human government Religion is essen
italy distinct from government and ex-
empt from its cognizance. A connection
between them is Injurious to BOTH
James Madison.
Leave the matter of religion TO the
family altar the church. and the private
school supported entirely by private con-
tribution. Keep the state and the
church forever separate.'-U. S. Grant.
Prescription has no part or lot in
III modern government Of the world
The stake. the sibbet, and the rack.
thumbscrews, swords. and pillory have
no place among the machinery Of civil
liZation. Nature is diversified. So are
human faculties. beliefs. and practices.
Essential freedom is the right TO differ,
and that right must be sacredly re-
spected. John Clark Ridpath.
The proper object OF government is
10 protect all persons ia the enjoyment
OF their civil as well as their religious
rights, and not to determine for any
whether they shall esteem one day above
another or esteem all days alike holy.
What other nations call religious toler-
ance we call religious rights. They are
not exercised in virtue of government
indulgence, but as rights. Of which gov
eminent cannot deprive any portion Of
the citizens. however small Despotic
power may invade these rights, but jus
tice stin confirms them. u. :. Senate
report, 1879
The last quotation is from a Senate
report on q proposed Sunday law.
Jesus, the author of Christianity, rec
csnized the separation of church and
state. Hear his words.
Render, therefore, unto Caesar the
things which are Caesars; and unto God
the things that are Gods Ard he said.
when on trial before POntius PLATE,
My kingdom is not Of this world.
Christ taught liberty. whatsoever Will,
let him come. If any man hear my
words and believe not, ] judge him not
for l cau5e not to judge the world. but
70 save the world These quotations
may be found by referring - the sacred
writings: Matthew xxii:21. John xvsa:36,
Revelations xxii:I7. and John xii:41.
4 most earnestly desire to insist that
no religious day should be enforced by
law, whether 1t be the first or the sew
enth, and that any measure tending.
directly or indirectly. 10 enforce reIi-
gion win work injury not only to the
state but most Of all to religion itself.
Liberty. absolute and eternal. is the
gift Of God. In the name of these noble
men who sought 10 build this nation
free. who risked theiI ives, their for
tunes. and their sacred honor. to give
national liberty. in the name Of Chris
tianity itself in TIE name Of Jesus
Christ. who died tQ-set us free IN mind
and soul now and eternally. ! protest
against this legislation, and can but be-
lieve that Christians and Jews and UNI
believers VIII alike join IL this protest "