Arkansas (June 15, 1836) was the 25th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas, adopted October 30, 1874, stated:
<Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.> 1836AR001
<Article II, Section 24. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.> 1836AR002
<Article II, Section 25. Religion, morality and knowledge being essential to good government, the General Assembly shall enact suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship.> 1836AR003
Article II, Section 26. No religious test shall ever by required of any person as a qualification to vote or hold office, nor shall any person be rendered incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations.> 1836AR004
<Article XIX, Section 1. No person who denies the being of a God shall hold office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court.> 1836AR005
<Article XIX, Section 14. No lottery shall be authorized by this State, nor shall the sale of lottery tickets be allowed.> 1836AR006
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1836AR001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Preamble. Frances Newton Thorpe, ed., Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies now or heretofore forming the United States, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905; 1909; St. Clair Shores, MI: Scholarly Press, 1968). Constitutions of the United States-National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 1. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 167; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate (87th Cong., 2nd Sess.), 1962, pp. 268 et seq. Miller, The First Liberty-Religion and the American Republic, p. 109. Gary DeMar, "God and the Constitution" (Atlanta, GA: Biblical Worldview, An American Vision Publication-American Vision, Inc., December 1993), p. 11. Cited August 21, 1996, in an Executive Proclamation declaring November 24-November 30, 1994, as "Christian Heritage Week," signed by Governor Mike Huckabee and Secretary of State Sharon Priest. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax).
1836AR002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Article II, Section 24. Constitutions of the United States-National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 4. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 167; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate (87th Cong., 2nd Sess.), 1962, pp. 268 et seq.
1836AR003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Article II, Section 25. Constitutions of the United States-National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 4.
1836AR004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Article II, Section 26. Constitutions of the United States-National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 4.
1836AR005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Article XIX, Section 1. Constitutions of the United States-National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 32. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 168; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate (87th Cong., 2nd Sess.), 1962, pp. 268 et seq.
1836AR006. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Arkansas, 1874, Constitution, Article XIX, Section 14. Constitutions of the United States- National and State (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., published for Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University, Release 94-4, Issued October 1994), Vol. 1, Arkansas(October 1994), p. 33.