California (September 9, 1850) was the 31st State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of California, adopted May 7, 1879, stated:
<Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.> 1850CA001
<Article I, Section 4. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed in this State; and no person shall be rendered incompetent as a witness on account of his opinions on matters of religious belief; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of this State.> 1850CA002
The Constitution of the State of California, November 5, 1974, stated:
<Article I, Section 4. Free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed. This liberty of conscience does not excuse acts that are licentious or inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. The Legislature shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion. A person is not incompetent to be a witness or juror because of his or her opinions on religious beliefs.> 1850CA003
<Article I, Section 6. Slavery is prohibited.> 1850CA004
<Article III, Section 6. (b) English is the official language of the State of California.> 1850CA005
--
American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1850CA001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). California, 1849, Constitution, Preamble. 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 96-4, Issued November 1996), Vol. 1, California(November 1996), p. 1. 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.
1850CA002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). California, 1849, Constitution, Artcle I, Section 4. 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), Vol. I, p. 391. Anson Phelps Stokes and Leo Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States (NY: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1950, revised one-volume edition, 1964), p. 157.
1850CA003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). California, November 5, 1974, Constitution, Article I, Section 4. 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 96-4, Issued November 1996), Vol. 1, California(November 1996), p. 2.
1850CA004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). California, November 5, 1974, Constitution, Article I, Section 6. 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 96-4, Issued November 1996), Vol. 1, California(November 1996), p. 2.
1850CA005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). California, November 5, 1974, Constitution, Article III, Section 6. 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 96-4, Issued November 1996), Vol. 1, California(November 1996), p. 17.