[religious Liberty Was] In Its Nature An

The Sober People Of America Are Weary Of The Fluctuating Policy Which Has Directed The Public Councils. They Have Seen With Regret And Indignation That Sudden Changes And Legislative Interferences, In Cases Affecting Personal Rights, Become Jobs In The Hands Of Enterprising And Influential Speculators, And Snares To The More-industrious And Less Informed Part Of The Community. They Have Seen, Too, That One Legislative Interference Is But The First Link Of A Long Chain Of Repetitions, Every Subsequent Interference Being Naturally Produced By The Effects Of The Preceding.

Armies, And Debts, And Taxes Are The Known Instruments For Bringing The Many Under The Domination Of The Few.

The Important Distinction So Well Understood In America Between A Constitution Established By The People, And Unalterable By The Government; And A Law Established By The Government, And Alterable By The Government, Seems To Have Been Little Understood And Less Observed In Any Other Country. Wherever The Supreme Power Of Legislation Has Resided, Has Been Supposed To Reside Also, A Full Power To Change The Form Of Government.

If It Be Asked What Is To Restrain The House Of Representatives From Making Legal Discriminations In Favor Of Themselves And A Particular Class Of The Society? I Answer, The Genius Of The Whole System, The Nature Of Just And Constitutional Laws, And Above All The Vigilant And Manly Spirit Which Actuates The People Of America, A Spirit Which Nourishes Freedom, And In Return Is Nourished By It.

A Zeal For Different Opinions Concerning Religion...[has] Divided Mankind Into Parties, Inflamed Them With Mutual Animosity, And Rendered Them Much More Disposed To Vex And Oppress Each Other Than To Co-operate For Their Common Good.