CHAPTER VIII.

THE FENIANS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

WE hear much at this time, about the freedom of Ireland, by an organization of Irishmen, both in this country and Ireland, under the title of Fenians. In Ireland they are obliged to keep their movements secret, but in the United States they meet openly, and boldly proclaim their purpose, to revolutionize Ireland-to put down the British Rule, and set up the independence of Ireland. As Republicans we sympathize with the oppressed every where, and would be happy to have, not only Ireland, but England, France, Italy, Germany, and all the nations of the earth made free.

We would rejoice to see any of these countries emancipate themselves, and fashion their plan of government after our own

-providing that all religious bodies, sects, and persons, shall be free to maintain and advocate such doctrine as shall seem to them to be right; and that no church or sect shall be established by the government as a national church, and that no religious test shall be required as a qualification, to hold any office under the government, and that all churches, sects and persons shall be protected by the government in the quiet enjoyment of their religious faith and opinions. Unless this idea of free religion shall become a fundamental principle of the government, it can not possibly be a free government, nor deserve the name of a Republic.

Now if the Irish people propose to make Ireland a genuine Republic, giving all persons their equal, civil and religious rights, then, they will deserve our sympathy and aid. But if they only purpose to overthrow the British Government in Ireland, and con

sequently the English Church Establishment, and set up Irish Rule, with Roman Catholic, or any other religion as a national religion, in that case, whatever interest the Irish might take in the matter, we, as Republicans, could have no sympathy in the movement, because not made with reference to the establishment of Republican principles. But let them give assurances of a free government, and they will receive from the people of the United States all necessary aid. We have faith, however, that much good will grow out of the Fenian

movement.

The putting down of one religious belief, and the setting up of another by the sword, has caused more blood-shed than any other idea in the world, and we hope the time has passed, when such folly and injustice could be perpetrated. The greatest and most essential principle of Republicanism, is the equality of religious rights. If this princi151267

ple should be struck from our Constitution, the Republic would soon go to pieces from internal strife.

Suppose Methodism, Congregationalism, Presbyterianism, or Roman Catholicism, should be declared the national religion, and no person allowed to hold an office of any description under the government, unless he should be a member of the National Church, what would be the consequence ? Why, the consequence would be that nobody, except members of the National Church, would have any motive to maintain the government, but would be bitterly opposed to it. Dissenters would not go to the polls to vote, though they might have the privilege, because none of their number would be allowed to hold any position under the government. Under such a state of things there could be no peace, but war would be constant. The idea of an established Religion by the government, is the great error of the age.

When our forefathers fled from the tyranny of the English Government, and came to this country, that they might enjoy their religious faith without molestation, they fell into the same error of the English. They undoubtedly thought that their religious faith was perfect, at least, more perfect than any other, therefore they undertook to establish what they call the "Truth" by law, and to prohibit the free enjoyment of all other creeds and faith. They established a religious test as a qualification for office, and finally banished Roger Williams, a Baptist Minister, for preaching false doctrine as they called it.

The Reader will see that when the Puritans undertook to establish their religious faith by law, and prohibit all others, that dissentions and persecutions immediately followed. Williams on being driven from Massachusetts, went to a place which he named Providence, in honor of the Provi