now, sir, not by my own choice, but by the earn-
est solicitations of a noble and generous constitu-
ency.
I do not think that ministers ought to neglect
their flocks to go the Legislature; but neither do
I think, that you have the right to disfranchise
them as free-born American citizens. Sir, it is the
principle for which I contend. Ministers have
rig/its in common with other citizens. And now
sir, I have discharged what I have conceived to
be my duty, very imperfectly, it is true. I thank
you air, and through you the honorable body,
for the respectful attention with which they have
listened to my remarks.
Mr. JENIFER disclaimed any intention to enter
into the argument on this question. But he
thought the gentleman from Baltimore county
was mistaken in some of his views. The pro-
vision in the Constitution does not exclude clergy-
men, more than others who fill civil offices, from
sitting in the Legislature. All persons who fill
civil offices are equally excluded. There was
therefore nothing oppressive in this exclusion. A
minister of the gospel has a high mission; his func-
tions are of a class which lift him above the or-
dinary business of political life; and it must lessen
the usefulness of his position and distract his du-
ties when he enters into political strife. The
gentleman says the ministers ought to be relieved
from taxation. He, (Mr. J.,) did not know that
clergymen were taxed.
Mr. CHANDLER. They were. His tax last
year amounted to twenty dollars on his property.
Mr. JENIFER. Aye, for property—not as a
clergyman. If the idea of the gentleman, that
property should be exempt from taxation were
carried out, there would be a speedy falling off
of the revenue for the support of the State. Any
man who desired to escape the payment of taxes
would only have to join the class of privileged
persons and he would escape.
Of all forms of government, that which com-
prised a religious element, was the most to be
depricated. Where religion had become united
with political rule, there had always been the
greatest amount of tyranny and despotism, and
the least possible exercise of freedom The mo-
ment you permit the ministers of religion to as-
sume political power, their whole character is
changed. Whilst in the exercise of their religious
duties exclusively, they command the respect
and veneration of all good men, no matter of
of what denomination; transfer them to the
arena of party contest, let them mingle in
the heated contests of the day, and they cease
to be the humble and Christian dispensers of those
blessings, which belong to their high mission.
The Legislature is no place for ministers of the
gospel. The pulpit is the appropriate sphere for
their teachings.
Mr. J. said, it would not be understood that
he, by any means, objected to them or any other
citizen being members of a Convention like this
to frame a Constitution for the State. He was
gratified to see the reverend gentleman from
Baltimore county, here in this body, and to receive
the benefit of his advice, and if all clergyman |
would conduct themselves In the dignified, charitable
and unexceptionable manner, as be has
done, his, [Mr. J's,] objection would be greatly
lessened. But this cannot be expected; religi-
ous and political professions are incompatible
amidst the frailty of human nature; and the high
respect he entertained for the clergy, would pre-
vent him from permitting them to be placed in a
situation, where their usefulness would be im-
paired.
Mr. CHANDLER made some further remarks
in which he complained, that while other professions
were permitted to hold seats in the legisla-
ture, by a solemn declaration, clergymen are
disqualified. He thought, as a matter of con-
science, that it was better that ministers of the
gospel should not become members of the legis-
lature; they have higher occupations—occupa-
tions which demand the entire devotion of their
time and talents. But his objection was to the
adoption of the principle of disqualification in the
Constitution.
The great Apostle of the Gentiles said, all
things may be lawful, but all things may not be
expedient. The clergy do not desire to be placed
in a position in which they are not denied the
rights and privileges of American citizens. He
perfectly agreed with the gentleman from
Charles. (Mr. Jenifer,) as to the impropriety of
a union between Church and State. Against
such union the clergy were united; and they now-
complained, that, by this very provision, the gov-
ernment is interfering with the clergy, and will
not leave them alone. He denied the statement
that where religious governments prevailed the
worst consequences follow. It was true that un-
der the mask of religion, those who are falsely
called religious, have persecuted and destroyed
their fellow creatures, but these are not mem-
bers of the true Christian church. It would be
as reasonable to repudiate the metallic currency
of the United States, because some of it has been
counterfeited, and to close all our banks and re-
fuse to receive silver and gold coins. While we
affect to leave all men free, to oppress none, and
to extend to every one liberty to worship God
according to the dictates of his own conscience,
we, in the same instrument, disqualify all who
are the ministers of religion, far the enjoyment
of the rights which all other citizens enjoy.
Mr. JENIFER said,
In reply to the worthy gentleman's remark,
"that those religious governments which persecuted,
did not belong to the true Christian church,"
he did not know what the gentleman calls the
true Christian church. But, if he would go
back a little into the history of the church, he
would find from its earliest period, to the present
day, that all denominations were alike, when-
political power was placed in their hands.
Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Episcopaleans,.
down to the Mormons, all had been guilty of the
greatest oppression and tyranny. One of the
greatest curses inflicted on mankind, had been by
religious fanaticism, united with the power of
political rule. And even in our day, in this glo-
rious land of freedom, that spirit attempts to ride
over the laws and Constitution. |
