That Almighty Power…. Has blessed the United States with a political Constitution founded on the will and authority of the whole people and guaranteeing to each individual security, not only of his person and his property, but of those sacred rights of conscience… If the public homage of a people can ever be worthy of the favorable regard of the Holy and Omniscient Being…it must be…guided only by their free choice… Religion, that gift of Heaven for the good of man, freed from all coercive edicts.
– President James Madison, July 23, 1813
Proclamation for National Day of Public Prayer
