Count the Cost: An Address to the People of Connecticut, On Sundry Political Subjects, and Particularly on the Proposition for a New ConstitutionDaggett, David
History
Count the Cost: An Address to the People of Connecticut, On Sundry Political Subjects, and Particularly on the Proposition for a New Constitution
Daggett, David
Connecticut -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865; Constitutional law -- Connecticut
These reformers, under the specious pretext of exercising unbounded
liberality in matters of religion, become intolerant to all who differ
from them, charging the professors of christianity with breathing out a
spirit of persecution, they become the most furious persecutors, and
while they affect to possess great moderation and candor towards all
denominations of Christians, they clearly evince that they would grant
indulgence or protection to none. On the other hand a great majority of
the people and the Legislature, insist that every man in the community
who is able, should contribute, in some way, towards the support of the
institutions of religion. No wish is entertained to legislate in matters
of faith, or to establish one sect in preference to another. Our laws
permit every man to worship God when, where, and in the manner most
agreeable to his principles or to his inclination, and not the least
restraint is imposed; all ideas of dictating to the conscience are
discarded, and every man "sits under his own vine and fig tree." Our
laws only enforce the great principle abovementioned that the members of
the community should contribute towards the support of these
institutions, as means to promote the prosperity of the people in the
same manner as they provide for the public accommodation, peace and
happiness, by the maintenance of the roads and bridges, the organization
of the militia, and the support of schools of instruction. Should
objections be urged by any individuals that they cannot conscientiously
contribute to the promotion of these objects, their objections would be
disregarded. There is a class of men, very respectable for the sobriety
of their habits, and their peaceful deportment, who always refuse to be
taxed for military defence. No one doubts that in their opposition, they
are conscientious, and yet few doubt the propriety of enforcing such
taxes.
The principle now advocated is interwoven with all our laws and habits
--it has existed from the first settlement of the State--it has produced
much good--it ought not therefore to be abandoned without the utmost
deliberation. The clamor against this principle, is the clamor of those
who wish to see the State revolutionized--it is the clamor of those
turbulent spirits which delight in confusion and which pull down and
destroy with a dexterity which they never shew in building up. Let the
sober citizens of Connecticut look at the authors of this clamor--Let
them view such men as Abraham Bishop, and eye the path which they have
trodden from their youth, and then ask their own hearts, if they are not
under some apprehension, lest if they should enlist under such leaders
and fight their cause, they may be found contending against the best
interests of society, and "fighting against God."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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