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THE
NORTHWEST ORDINANCE
July
13, 1787
The
Northwest Ordinance is one of the fundamental documents
in the history of American religious freedom. This is
so primarily because it ensured religious liberty in
all states later carved out of the original Northwest
Territory: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
and much of Minnesota. When these new states wished
to be admitted to the Union, their constitutions had
to meet the approval of Congress. All states desiring
admittance to the Union who were within the scope of
the Northwest Ordinance could have nothing in their
constitutions that was repugnant to the Ordinance. This
included guarantees of religious freedom, as found in
Article III of the Northwest Ordinance.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
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Article
III.
Religion,
morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government
and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education
shall forever be encouraged. The utmost good faith shall
always be observed towards the Indians; their lands and
property shall never be taken from them without their consent;
and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall
never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful
wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice
and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing
wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and
friendship with them.
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Be
it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the resolutions
of the 23rd of April, 1784, relative to the subject of this
ordinance, be, and the same are hereby repealed and declared
null and void.
Source:
1 Stat. 50 (1789).
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