TDIH: The Northwest Ordinance
In the Ordinance, the Confederation Congress explicitly guaranteed the right to religious freedom.
On this day in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance is approved by the Confederation Congress. That law provided a framework with which to govern territories "northwest of the River Ohio," including a process by which those territories could be admitted into the Union as states.
In the Ordinance, Congress explicitly guaranteed the right to religious freedom providing that: "No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments."
But that's not all. Importantly, Congress also emphasized the need for education based on "Religion, morality, and knowledge."
Hmm. What would our Founders think of how things are going today?
Dear regular readers: Full-fledged history stories return tomorrow morning.
Our founding fathers would be sad, angry and ashamed of the Nation today. In fact, they could scarcely recognize the Nation that they created and had envisioned. We have strayed far from a nation that respects and tolerates religious freedom and a nation ruled by the free election of the citizen legislators, and a government of limited power.
Tara, thank you for your continued daily posts.
How far we have strayed from this ordinance. No wonder society…especially the last few generations are immoral and lawless. The founders would be sad and shocked. Excellent analogy as usual, Wally Firkins.