This address, in which the Legislative Assembly was treated with much disdain, breathes the true spirit of government as regards religious matters.

It is comprised in the axiom which is or ought to be the code of all consciences, "Since no religion is a law, let no religion be a crime!" A young writer whose name, already celebrated, was to be hereafter consecrated by martyrdom, Andre Chenier, considering the question in the highest strain of philosophy, published on the same subject a letter worthy of posterity.

It is the property of genius not to allow its views to be obscured by the prejudices of the moment.

Its gaze is too lofty for vulgar errors to deprive it of the ever-during light of truth.

It has by anticipation in its decisions the impartiality of the future.
"All those," says Andre Chenier, "who have preserved the liberty of their reason, and in whom patriotism is not a violent desire for rule, see with much pain that the dissensions of the priests have of necessity occupied the first sittings of the Assembly.