(December 27, 1797–June 19, 1878), was an author and professor at Princeton University. In 1871, he stated:
The proposition that the United States [is] a Christian … nation, is … the statement of a fact. That fact is not simply that the great majority of the people are Christians … but that the organic life, the institutions, laws, and official action of the government, whether that action be legislative, judicial, or executive, is … in accordance with the principles of … Christianity. …
If a man goes to China, he expects to find the government there administered according to the religion of the country. If he goes to Turkey, he expects to find the Koran supreme and regulating all public action. If he goes to a [Christian] country, he has no right to complain, should he find the Bible in the ascendancy and exerting its benign influence not only on the people, but also on the government. …
In the process of time thousands have come among us, who are [not] Christians. Some are … Jews, some are infidels, and some atheists. All are welcomed; all are admitted to equal rights and privileges. All are allowed to acquired property, and to vote in every election. … All are allowed to worship as they please, or not to worship at all. …
No man is molested for his religion or for his want of religion. No man is required to profess any form of faith, or to join any religious association. More than this cannot reasonably be demanded.
More, however, is demanded. The infidel demands that the government should be conducted on the principle that Christianity is false, the atheist demands that it should be conducted on the assumption that there is no God. … the sufficient answer to all this is that it cannot possibly be done2122