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CHAPTER LXXX.

Commissioners.

1. In the history and laws of the United States, the word "commissioner" occurs so frequently, that it may add something to the utility of our work to make a few remarks about them, to show their relations to the government, when acting either in permanently established official positions, or as temporary agents.

In the first place, they act as heads of bureaus in the various departments. These bureaus, with their commissioners at their heads, are permanent sub-departments and officials of the government, established and provided for by law; such are the commissioners of the land office, patent office, pension office, &c.

2. In the second place, they can hardly be considered officers, but rather temporary or special agents. In the multifarious duties devolving upon Congress, the President, and all the departments, it not unfrequently happens that is impracticable for them to do certain things necessary to be done. The business to be transacted may be at a great distance from the capital, even in a foreign country. In these cases commissioners are appointed to do such business. They have been appointed to negotiate a peace, to make treaties of various kinds between us and other powers, and to negotiate with the Indians for the purchase of their lands. The United States courts appoint them to take bail, or to take testimony to be used on trials, and do various other things necessary in trials and proceedings before them.

Congress frequently appoints commissioners to obtain information, or to investigate some matter on which they expect to legislate. In all cases they must report their proceedings, either to Congress, to the President, or to the head of the department under whose instruction they act. Permanent commissioners report once a year, or oftener if required, that Congress may know the condition of affairs in their respective bureaus. Special commissioners, after they have performed the work assigned, make their report; after which their duties cease, and their commission comes to an end.

3. The foregoing may be thought too simple and too well understood to require any description. This is so, as it regards intelligent adults; but it should be borne in mind that these pages are written with special reference to the youth of the country.

It should be added that the lowest grade of diplomatic agents, who represent our government to some of the most inferior powers, are called commissioners. We are thus represented at the present time in the Republics of Hayti and Liberia.

4. By recent acts of Congress, the powers of commissioners in some cases have been enlarged. They now examine persons charged with crimes against the laws of the United States; hold them to bail, discharge them, or commit them to prison; and do other magisterial acts, preliminary to the trial of the accused. When acting in such cases, they are clothed with some of the powers of a court.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

Religion.

1. THE people of the United States glory in the fact that in their country there is no religion established by law, as in England and several other countries. Where this is the case, no other than the one established by law is tolerated; or if tolerated, special favors and benefits are conferred on the national church, at the expense of all others.

We enjoy complete religious freedom, and it is hoped we always shall. The Constitution guarantees this, in the following words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

In another place it says, that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust, under the United States."

What power in a few words! These words in our Constitution have been, and will be of inestimable value to our country; for they have greatly increased its population and wealth. This feature of our government has caused thousands to migrate to the United States, where they will neither be persecuted, nor taxed, to support a church in which they do not believe. Everybody is left to worship when and where and as he pleases. This is called religious liberty, and is as it ought to be. True Christianity never required the support of the State, and where it has been given, it has invariably been corrupted. We hope the day is not far off when every government on earth will follow our example in this respect.

CHAPTER LXXXII.

Proclamations.

1. A PROCLAMATION is an official notice given by one high in authority, for the purpose of giving reliable and authoritative information to the people that something has been done, or will soon be done, which is important for them to know, that they may act, or refrain from acting according to the information contained in the proclamation. These proclamations are made known to the country through the most extensive channels of information that can be used for conveying intelligence to everybody in the realm. In our day, and in our country, the newspapers are the best means that can be used for this purpose. But in ancient times, and before the art of printing was known, swift riders or runners were dispatched to every part of the kingdom or country over which the proclamation was to be made known. These messengers carried it with them, and proclaimed it in the ears of all the people.

We have made these general remarks about proclamations for the purpose of introducing the following observations upon those official papers so often issued by the President, and also by the Governors of the respective States. These, as above stated, are for the purpose of giving important information to the people. It is now the custom of the Executive to designate some day selected by him as a day of thanksgiving, recommending the day to be observed in a religious

manner, in acknowledgment of God's favor to us as a nation. This is made known to the people by a proclamation of the President. A day of fasting and prayer is designated and proclaimed in the same way. Important changes in the commercial affairs between us and some foreign country are made known by the same method.

2. A memorable proclamation was made by President Lincoln, in 1862, by which he made known to the country, and especially to the Southern States, that if they continued their war against the United States for one hundred days after its issuance, he would then, in virtue of his authority as commander-in-chief of the army and navy, liberate the slaves in all the seceded States. At the expiration of the time, which was on the first of January, 1863, he issued another proclamation, in and by which he did emancipate all the slaves in every State which had rebelled against the United States government.

The blockading of our ports at the commencement of the civil war, and the imposition of an embargo upon our shipping, previous to the last war with England, were both subjects which brought out proclamations from the President who then filled the Executive chair.

4. The above example shows the character of cases which cause proclamations to be issued. In some instances they have the authority of law; in others they are merely recommendations; and in others only communicate important intelligence in regard to our public affairs at home or abroad.

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