dence of God in his behalf, and founded a colony there, incorporating into his charter, the idea of entire freedom of religious opinions and faith. rapidly in population, and flourished more than others, on account of its religious toleration and protection. Here at Providence, Rhode Island, was first established the great principle of religious freedom, which afterwards prevailed in all the colonies, and was finally inserted in the Constitution of the United States. From this freedom of thought and belief, we can trace our peace and prosperity, and advancement in every department of knowledge. It is the height of folly to suppose that truth can be promoted by force or by the enslavement of the human mind in any manner whatever. Spain sought to propagate the Roman Religion by law, and inflicted the severest penalties for unbelief, but this arbitrary measure, instead of ad This colony increased vancing the cause of that church, tended to weaken it, and to bring its tenets into disrepute, and to sink the character of that nation in the eyes of all just men. It is a mistaken idea that religion can not flourish without the fostering care of the government. The English Church to-day would be strengthened by the withdrawal of all support of the government; because the government then would be supported freely by all classes, and the material interests of the people would be greatly increased, and every institution advanced, and consequently the Episcopal Church with the rest. That branch of the Roman Catholic Church which is exposed to the light and influences of our free Institutions, will prove, in time, to be the more pure and genuine religion of that Church. The corruptions necessarily arising from an arbitrary government tend to demoralize a national religion. There can be no such thing as free Government without free religion. Because if religion is not free, it is the civil government which interferes to prevent its freedom. And that government which prevents religious freedom, or fails to protect it, cannot be a free government. So it is utterly futile to suppose there can be a free Government in Ireland, England, Italy or Germany, unless provision is made for religious freedom and protection for all. Religious freedom is the great idea in a free government, and every attempt to set up such government without this fundamental principle, will prove to be a failure. No person, whether horn in this or any other country, can be a true American Citizen, who believes and maintains that his peculiar religious views, should be made a National Religion. Because, such persons if they had the power, would prohibit all religious freedom, and persecute all who did not conform to their National Creed. Our government adopted the true principle when it guaranteed protection to all churches, sects and persons, in the quiet enjoyment of their religious faith. The great problem of human life, is to be wrought out by free thought and free speech in all departments of human knowledge. Thought developes the idea, and speech presents it to the world. CHAPTER IX. AMERICAN CITIZENS TO BE MORE HONORED THAN ROMANS. EVERY American Citizen has reason to be proud of his name and his country. As the name of "Roman Citizen was respected and feared throughout the world, in the days of Rome's prosperity and glory, so may the Name of American Citizen carry more respect and reverence among all nations when it shall be mentioned, than was ever accorded to the name of "Roman." And it be known in every may nation throughout the world, that the great Republic of America will protect the weakest anl poorest of her citizens in the enjoyment of their rights, wherever in the world Providence may carry them. |