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.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

Treason.

1. We do not propose in this work to treat of crimes generally. But treason, which is a great crime, and which aims at the existence or at the peace of the government, may with propriety be briefly noticed in a work of this kind.

The Constitution itself defines treason in these words (see article 3, section 3): "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Then an act of Congress, passed on the 30th of April, 1790, approved and signed by Washington, again defines in nearly the same words, and makes the penalty therefor to be death by hanging.

2. By another act passed 17th July, 1862, it was made discretionary with the court trying the case to put the offender to death, or to imprison him for not less than five years, and to fine him for a sum not less than ten thousand dollars. The penalty for this crime, even in its mildest form is very severe; thus showing how atrocious this offense is considered.

3. None but a person owing allegiance to the United States can commit treason against them. The same acts which would be treason in a citizen would not be treason if perpetrated by a foreigner.

"Misprision of treason" is the concealment of it by a person who knows it has been committed. This

also is a grave offense, and is punishable by a seven years' imprisonment, and a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.

4. Any person tried for treason, must be indicted by a grand jury; and then tried by a petit jury in the Circuit Court of the United States within three years after the crime has been committed; otherwise it is barred by limitation-or, in other words, outlawed.