Garfield, James A. (James Abram) (1831-1881) to Louis Abraham
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05559 Author/Creator: Garfield, James A. (James Abram) (1831-1881) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 February 1879 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.2 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the separation of church and states. Corrects a misunderstanding from a speech in which he gave the impression that the "Constitution forbade the states to make any law in aid of religion." What he meant was that the spirit of American institutions was against the establishment of state religion, as is "the tendency of American opinion. Also argues that the exemption of the YMCA and churches in Washington D.C. should be considered aids to educational instead of "Congressional Legislation about religion."
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