Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-17
F'r3m The Ne,c FORK OlserUer.
DIALOGUE ON SUNDAY MAILS


to hear it.
Wemoriolsk The report, sir, is founded on to-
tai misrepresentation OF the character and object of
The petitioners. You denounce them as jealous
aspiring bigots, banded together for the purpose OF
forcing their religious creed upon the community,
while, in truth, they are quiet Christians, seeking
in the most peaceabe and respectful manner, to oo-
tain the repeal Of an impoltc and oppressive law
You consider them as ignorant enthusiasts whose
msdirected zeal is dangerous to the liberties OF the
country while they are really sober and sasacious
politicians, who understand well from what quar-
ter the attack Oh our liberties viii come, aiu are
striving like good patriots to repel it.
Mr.. Johnson i've certainly differ totally in our
views. believe that ''these petitions and memori-
ais are merely the entering wedge OF scheme to
make this government religious instead OF a social
and political institution" The petitioners ask Con
gress to interpret the law of God They wish US to
rive our Legislative sanction to the observance ct
their Sabb ,th, and if we would do this, their next
petition will call upon US to adopt their creed IN
toto
Aensor,alist. You mistake the fact SIR The Pc
titioners do not ask you to adopt their creed they
do not ask you to interpret the law OF God. They
merely ask you to pay proper respect to Their an
teypretation oft.
Mr. johnson Well what's the difference?
Dfen,onalist. A very important difference. When
the Quaker petitions the legislature to modify their
law respecting oaths because he believes that the
law of God forbids men to take oaths, cannot the
legislature grant his request without sanctlonng his
interpretation The petitioners ask nothing OF you
which Congress Of Jews or Mahometans might
not consistently grant.
Mr.. johnson. Well there is some difference, to
be sure. But, sir, as to the transportation OF the
mails and opening the post-oices Oh Sunday, we
have no right to legisate on the subject,
.Menaoriaist. No right to leglsate You have al
ready legslated. 1t is your legislation of which we
complain You have issued regulation requiring
the mail to be transported, and the postotces to be
opened on Sunday
M. johnson. Well, suppose that out of respect
TO the creed of the petitioners should repeal it.
There are other sects whose creed we must also re-
spect. II we stop the mail on Sunday to please the
Christians we must stopit Saturday to please the
Jews. Their rights sacred as yours, and not
to respect them equally, would be violation of the
first principles of civil liberty. The constitution
is designed to protect all sects alike, and the gov
eminent has no right to make any difference between
them.
IlemoriaHst. But the government has made
difference. Before the year 1914 the post-ofice
were closed ON the Sabbath of the Christians, Will
they remained open the Sabbath OF the Jews; an'
in your report, you say that postOlfices are nov
soregulaed that only small proportion of the frs
day of the week is required to be occupied IN ohcia
business" and that the mail is nov transported on
" on the principal routes. 1t seems then that thu
government does now show marked respect fo
Christian institutions, and according to your doc
trine, the Jews have right to complain Of viola
ton of the first principles of civil liberty. How
do YOU Justify this gross partaiy to the Christians
mr. Johnson Why, sir, it is not matter
rioht. The Christians cannot demand Il. 1t is
mere matter of courtesy.
.lIemorialist But, why are you not as courteot
a., thr,si anniir tio
of the government is the same to both these classe
aud they are bound not to respect one more than Il
other"
Mr.. johnson. WIZ, sir. it would be ridicuou
Ninety nine hundreths Of the people of this countr
are Christians, who regard the first day of the wee
as the Sabbath The Jews are a mere handful of tt
p,pulatio !. IN :. .
Meaortalist But "the conscences of the minor
are as sacred as those of the ma nrity."
M. Johnson Well, what if they re,-we a
not bound to push the principle So far as to NAL
fools of ourselves.
Aiensoriaiist. Exactly so. We must have rega
to co nnon sense in our reasonings. | agree wi
yor entirely. Mr.. Johnson, and if you will perm
me to ask you few more questions perhaps
shall find that do not differ so much on 9th
puints as you imagine.
Mr.. johnson. Go On.
Us,noriatst. You say in your report that
Sunday mail is now carried only on the prnciE
routes OF course there are parts OF the count
where the mail is stopped on the Sabbath.
Mr.. johnson. 1t is So. and this shows you Il
the government is disposed to manifest a PROF
courtesy aad respect for the religious opinions
the people.
lfemorialtst But in another part OF the repo
YOU say that the government has no right to stop
mails on the princip pal routes that to do SO wo'
be to establish ga principle which would lay
foundation for dangerous innovatlons upon the 81
it Of the Constitution, and upon the religious rig
of our citizens"
Mr. johnson. These are my words.
Afemorial,st. If ! understand your doctrine tn
it is, that ii is right to stop Sunday mails in the
mote villages and less frequented districts of
NUT G To thn reliminIIS aninlnn