Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-31

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dcd. Every agent enters voluntarily, and it is
presumed conscientiously, into the discharge Of
his duties, without intermeddling with the con-
science OF another. Post Offices are regulated.
as that but small proportion Of the first day of the
week is required TO be occupied in official busi-
ness. In the transportation Of the mail that day,
no one agents employed many hours. Religious
persons enter into the business without violating
their own consciences, or imposing any restraints
upon others. Passengers 10 the mail stages are
free TO rest during the first day Of the week, or
70 pursue their journeys a, their own pleasure.
hi!e the mail Is transported on Saturday the Jew
and the SaOba.arian may abstain from any agency
IN carrying IL, from conscientious scruples. While
Is transported on the first day Of the week, an
other class may abstain, from the same religious
scfupies. The obligation OF government is the
same 70 both Of these classes; and the committee
| can discover no principle Oh which the claims Of
one should be inore respected than those OF the
other, unless Il should be admitted that the con-
sciences Of the minority less sacred than those
of the majority.
1t IS the opinion OF the committee, that the sub
T! ject should be regarded simply question Of
expediency, irrespective of its religious bearing
la this light, ii has hitherto been considered Con-
gress have never iegisiated upon the subject. Il,
rests, as il ever has 6one in the legal discretion Of
the Postmaster General, under the repeated refI-
sails oil Congress 10 discontinue the Sabbath mails
! Ills knowledge and judgment in all the concerns
OF that department, will not be questioned. His
intense fa6ors and sssiduiy have resulted in the
highest improvement of every branch Of his de-
partment. II Practised only on the great lead
ing mail routesi and such others necessary
to maintain their connexions. To prevent this
would, in the opinion ofthe committee, be produc-
tive of immense injury, both iii its comrner cial,
political. and in its moral bearings.
The variousdepartments Of government require,
frequently in peace, always in war, the speedies
intercourse with the remotest parts Of the
try; and one important object the mail establish
mentis. to furnish the greatest and most ccouom-
icai facilities for such intercourse. The delay of
the mails one whole day in seven, would require
the employment Of special expresses, at great ex-
pense, and sometimes wth great uncertainty.
The commercial, manufacturing, and agiicuitu-
raj interests OF our country intimately
nected, as to require constant and The most
pedisious correspondence betwixt all our
ports, and 6etwigt them and the most interior set
Elements. The delay Of the mails during the Sun
day, would give occasion TO the employment OF
private expresses, to such an amount, that proba-
bly, ten riders would be employed where one mail
stage is now running that day; thus divcrting
The revenue Of that department into another Chan
mel, and sinking the establishment into a state Of
pusanimity Incompatible with the dignity of the
government Of which it is department.
Passengers in the mail stages, isthe maits are
rot permitted 10 proceed on Sunday, will be ex-
pected TO spend that day at tavern upon the road,
generally under circumstance not friendly TO de-
vo'ion, ani at an expense which many but
poorly able to encounter. To obvia.e these diff
culties, many viii employ extra carriages for their
conveyance, and become the bearers of CORES
pondence. more expeditions than the mail. The
stage proprietors will themselves often furnish th
travellers with those means Of conveyance; that
the effect will ultimately be only 10 stop the mail
while the vehicle which CONVEYS il will continue
and its passengers become the special messengers
Tor conveying a considerable proportion OF what
would Other rise constitute the contents Of the
mail.
Nor can the committee discover where the sys-
fn-rr eI.. Al n
aho.yday becomes incorporated in institutions,
shall We not forbid the movement Of an army; pro-
hit,s an assault IN time Of war; and lay an nuDc
ton upon our naval officers to lie in the wind
while upon the ocean on that day' Consistency
would seem to require it. Nor is it certain that
we should stop here. II the principle is once es-
tabshed, that religion. Or religious observances,
shall be interviewer with our legislative acts, we
must pursue Il TO its Utmatum. We shall, if con-
sisten, provide for Che erection Of edices for the
worship OF the Creator and for the support Of Chris
tiac ministers, II we believe such measures will
promote the interests Of Christianity. 1t is the
settled conviction Of the committee, that the only
me hod OF avoiding these consequences. with their
attendant train OF evils is to adhere strictly to the
spirit O! the Constitution, which regards the gen.
ersl government in no other light than that Of
civil institution. wholly destitute of religious au-
thority.
What other nations '.Il religious alterations, we
call religious rights. They not exercised IL
virtue Of governmental, indulgence, but asrigh,s,
of which government cannot deprive any portion
Of citizens, however small. Despotic power may
invade those rights, but justice still confirms
them. Let the national Legislature once perform
an act which involves the decision Of a religious
controversy, and it will have passed its Legitimate
bounds. The precedent will then be established
and the foundation laid for that usurpaton of the
Divine srerogaive in this country, which has
been the desolating scourge to the fsrest portions
o! the old world Our Constitution recognise no
other power than that OF persuasion for enforcing
religious observances. Let the professors Of Chris
iianity recommend their religion by deeds Of be-
nevoience-by Christian "Wednesday lives of
temperance and holiness. Let them combine their
efforts toinstruct the ignorant-to relieve the wi
dow and the orphan-to promugate TO the world
the gospel OF their Saviour, commencing lis pre-
cepts by their habitual example, government will
find its legitimate object in protecting them. 1t
cannot oppose them, ard they will not need lis aid
Their moral influence will then do infinitely more
to advance the true interests Of religion than any
measures which they may call on Congress 10 e.
nact.
The petitioners 90 no, complain Of any infringe
ment upon their own rights They enjoy all tina;
Christians ought 10 ask al the hand of any govern
ment--protection from all molestation in The ex-
e7cise oftheir religious sentiments.
Ves0!ved, That the Committee be discharged
from the f1rther consideration ofthe subject.
THE ERIE GyvD THE FEDER.fL.
The public has been put in possession of addi-
onal intelligence upon this subject. As it is des-
tined 20 undergo an official investigation before
our government, we deem it expedient to lay
before our readers the principal facts which have
been developed on both sides The statement. Of
the Federal priyateer has been principally made
out by the Lieutenant, ]. Il. Fisher and her Pur-
n ma afrrs RIB hoe, i'll