Year: 1867

Religious Liberty in the United States.
In more respects than one the community OF
the United States is the most extraordinary
community which the sun has yet shone upon.


Never before did any nation in 80 brief


period, and in spite Of SO many difficulties,


attain such gigantic proportions. Never be-


fore did so heterogeneous q mass in so short


time acquire such unity OF character and pur-
pose. Never before have difference of race,
difference Of language, difference of antece-
dents, difference Of taste difference of interests


been so completely overcome as In the brief
space Of q century to create one of the fore
most and most hopeful OF existing nations


In nothing, however, Is the peculiarly Of the


United States more noteworthy than in the
successful manner in which the difficult
question Of religious liberty has from
the outset been managed. Starting with
the principle that It was not the province Of
Congress to legislate within the domain Of
conscience, we have adhered to that principle
throughout and the result has been satisfactory
beyond parallel in the history Of the nation.
In this country the voluntary principle has
been fairly and fully tested. and it II but just
to say that the conclusions Of tho most enthu-.
siastic advocates Of that principle have been
abundantiy justified, With US there has been
neither frown nor favor; all systems Of religion
not antagonistic to enlightened freedom and not
incompatible with advanced civilization have
been equally tolerated and equally left to
themselves, and an impartial mind might per-
haps be justified in concluding that they have
each been successful in proportion to their
merits


Our attention has been directed afresh to
this peculiar characteristic Of American liberty
by certain events Of the day. From letter
which we printed in Fridays HERALD, from
the pen of our special correspondent in Paris,
it appears that two sons Of Brigham Young,
the Meichizedek Gf we may use in this connec-
ton without profanity sacred name) of Salt
Lake City are now, with other fellow laborers,
making vigorous efforts in different paris Of
Europe to proselyhxe and encourage emigra-
ton to the new Land Of Promise. These men
confidently slate that emigration this year to
Salt Lake City will be unusually large. Act
ing, not without certain amount of wisdom
and foresight, it has been the object of this
elements from some Of the healthiest stocks of
the old world. The labors of this brotherhood
have not been unsuccessful in the past among
the Northern nations Of Europe; and this year,
it appears, large numbers Of Swedes, Norwe-
gians and Germans have resolved TO abandon
their native seats and cast in their lot with the
happy family In Utah. 1t is impossible to
refuse to admit that in seeking to swell, with as
much rapidity as possible, the tide of their
population, the managers Of Mormoudom are,
to- certain extent, wise in their generation.
Utah Is NOT 60 Gar from the centre Of American
activity a. il once was. Year by year the
distance Il diminishing, and the Pacific Rail-
road threatens 10 annfhilate it altogether.
Incorporation with the United States will soon
be vital question. not only with the Mormons,
but with the whole American people; and
whether Salt Lake City shall or shall not share
the fate Of Nauvoo may be found TO
depend very much ON the vigorous front
which they shall be able to present
The admission Of Utah into the Union, with
the full privileges Of an organized State, is
certainly an event of the not distant future,
which will prove, perhaps, the severest test to
which our elastic constitution has yet been SUBJ
jected. federation has been the law hitherto,
and unless good reason can be shown for 1t, 1t
will be dangerous to enter upon exceptional
legislation.


Al the same time we have II announced that
during the approaching anniversary week in
Boston there Is to be held Conference, to
which all outside bodies organized on re-
ligious basis are invited to send delegates.
Tho object is to compare notes, to see how lar
they agree and how far they differ, and to as
certain whether there il not q common plat
form on which they can jointly stand and
exert their influence for moral and spirit
ual ends The conception is original.
1t Is worthy Of the American mind.
Nothing 80 purely catholic as this
proposed convention has yet been exhibited to
the world. Held, as 1t is to be, in the old
centre of New England Puritlnism, il Is pecu-
liarly suggestive, and is certain to command
attention beyond the limits OF the United
States. In certain particulars--in lis broad,
generous catholicity, for exampie-it will rise
superior to that splendid assembly which is
soon TO take place in Rome. when some eight
hundred bishops from almost all the ends of
the earth will gather around the person OF the
Holy Father aud take part in the celebration
of the martyrdom Of 81. Peter. The splendid
accessories which will give ecla to the one
win certainly be wanting to the other; but
failure is not necessary on that account. We
know no reason why we should not wish this
Boston meeting success. We know many
reasons why we should. LET brotherly love
continue" is the advice of an apostle--an ad-
vice unfortunately sadly disproportioned to
Christian profession; but. surely "brotherly