Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-05
CONGRESS.

| CONGRESS.
\ In TINE SENATE, ION Tuesday, Mr.. Benton gave
notice that he would, tom ,rrow, Introduce a
bill for the gradual increase of the Engineer
| Corps, and for other purposes. Al half past
twelve, the Senate proceeded 10 the considera-
ZION OF Executive business.
In THE HOUSE, OF REPREsExrATlvEs. Mr.. Nc
kean, from the Committee on The Post Office
ADD Post Roads, reported Bill amenda,ory Of
the Post Office Law, which repeats so much Of
the existing law as imposes upon Pos,mas,ers
! the obligation Of distributing the mails on Sun
day. Accompanying this bill. was report on
| the subject Of the transportation Of the mails
on Sunday, which, in It's tone and decision, is
| adverse 10 the prayer Of those who desire ~
| interrupt it on that day. There was some eou-
| versa,ion, not amounting TO discussion. upon
a motion Of MIR. Mexican to print 5000 extra
| copies OF the report, Sut the motion was hna,lv
laid on the table. The House then took up
the bill from the Senate 10 authorize the pur
chase and distribution Of 500 copies OF Cor
don's Digest o. the Laws, which was opposed,
| on the question of is third reading, but was
inally passed BY vote Of 90 ,o79. The House
then resumed, in Committee of he w hole on
| the state OF the Union, the discussion OF The
bill for the preservation and repair Of the Cum
| reply TO the arguments against the bill, and at
| ter speaking abou, an hour and half, gave way
| for motion tina, the Committee rise. He will
Of course continue his reply today
| About half an hour had elapsed after the hour
Of meeting, before quorum OF the House was
ascertained to be present
Resolution was laid on the table, by Mr..
Barr.nger, 10 be acted on to-day, appointing
| Tomorrow for the election of printer 10 the
House for the next Congress: and another re-
solution was offered bv Mr.. " Tide, which also
lie. on the table until 10 day, providing that no
person who has been engaged, or interested in,
| a public newspaper within the last years,
shall be eligible TO the office Of public printer.
REPORT
or the Committee on the Post Offices and Post
Roads, to whom as referred cer,ain memo
ria!s against the transportation of the mail on
the Sabbath. and The delivery Of letters, sc,
from Post Offiles on that day:
The memorials on this subject, account
Of the numerous sour ces from which they have
been received, the number and responsibility
Of the signatures, as well as the intrinsic i'm
portsnee OF the question involved, require from
he Committee and the Legislature, the most
deliberate and respectful consideration. 1t -
b. lieved that The history Of Legislation in this
country affords no instance in which stronger
expression has been made, if regard be had TO
the nu ~ bers, the wealth, the intelligence OF
the petitioners.
They pIesen, a subject not entirely clear OF
officially, bu, one in which they feel deep in
| leresl, and which in their opinion intimately
| concerns the moral character OF the country.
1t is no, considered to be the duty Of the
Committee, nor does il comport with its incl
nation. TO enter at large into the origin Of the
Sabba'h, or the sanctity which belongs To it.
In all Chrs,ian countries, it is considered
not only as day Of res, from secular employ
men,, but one that should be set apar, for reli
gious obsersances So intimately is it inter.
woven with the doctrines Of Christianity, thai
il forms an importan, part Of the creed OF eve
ry Christian denomination. They agree in he,
| principle, though some Of them differ as The
dav.
| The Committee believe that proper obser>
vance of The Sabbath Is calculated TO -lev ate the
mural condition of society. In accordance
with H. recor6t d example Of The Creator Of the
universe, and tnfy'ced by Scripture precepts,
one day in seven should be distracted from or
binary business, and devoted 20 moral and re-
! liginus exercises. Wherever these duties have
been tegard d in the true spirit of Christianity,
a moral Influence has imposed salutary re-
siraInlS upon the licentious 2ropensl'ies OF man.
| l. has made them beiter citizens and better
| men IN al the relations of society, both public
and private.
The institution Of the Sabbath is respected
in various operations of our government. In
the balls Of Legislation, ,he Courts Of Justice,
| and the Eek cu,iye departments, excepi under
pc culiar rmergens les, business il suspended,
no, by legal provision, hu' BY force OF public
opinion. Restraints imposed On the eonscienees
of individuals by human laws, sanctioned by
severe penalties have always failed 10 produce
reformation. They have generally, if not al.
ways, made men worse instead Of better. Un-
der snch exercise Of power, Christianity dege>
nerates in,o ali instrument Of oppression, and
doses all its beauty and moral excellence. II
fourishes most unaid q by the secular arm.
The committee, therefore, as citizens and e-
gisiators, would be ready 10 repel any attempt
10 bring the consciences Of men under legisla-
tive control in this country. A disposition 10
do can never proceed from the pure princi-
pies Of Christianity
r. -.