Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-17

tinue them on the other routes because 1t Is expeu
| emit
.Nenorialia Let us look little at the expedi
ency of the measure. Why is it expedient to con-
tnuc the mails and open the post offices Sunday
Mr.. johnson My first reason is, because a major
| ity of the people are in favor of it.
| MemoriatiSt. There, sir, we differ 10 opinion.
From all the facts that have been able to obtain,
infer that there is large majority on the other
side The fact that the tenets of all the principal
religious denominations in the land teach the duty
of absiaining from secular business on the Sabbath
the fact that the church members of these demon
nations embrace nearly oneourth part of the adult
population of the country,-and the considerations
that of those who make no profession of religion,
and who are personally Indifferent to the subject,
very large proportion are willing and DESTROYS that
the scruples Of the more conscientious should be
respected, incline to the belief that the public
sentiment is decisivey in favor of stopping the
mails and closing the post Offices on Sunday. But,
waving this, will proceed, if you please, to your
other reasons
Mr.. johnson. My second reason is, that to stop
the mails on Sunday would occasion incalcu,able
injury to the commerce of the country.
Memor,aliSk That the measure might occasion
some inconvenience to the merchant admit but
taat the injury would not he great as you appre.
bend, argue from he FACT that in the city of Lon
don, the metropolis of the first commercial nation
on the globe, the post office is not opened nor any
mail made up on the Sabbath. But of the nature
and probable extent of the injury to merchants, the
merchants themselves doubtless the best Judges;
and the fact that in the city of New.York, and pro
badly other large cities, the petitioners for the
stopping of the mail embrace the majority of the
mercantile interest, ought to satisfy Congress that
there will be loss which the sufferers are not will
| ling to sustain.
Mr.. johnson. My third reason is, that the law
which the petitioners ask would not promote the OBJ
servance of the Sabbath for if the ma-stases
should be stopped, private stages and expresses
would Immediately be established in their place,
and the amount Of travelling would remain the same,
and the Sabbath would be as much violated as it is
now. am as much disguised, sir. as any man to
respect religious Institutions but in this it would
be OF no avail.
1Uen.oTlaisst This argument, sir reminds me OF
the boy who was invited by his wicked companions
to join them in robbng farmers orchard. 6 1t is
wicked" thought the boy, very wicked, to rob
and then the poor farmer--to lose all his apples--I
pity him-but the other boys are determined to rob
hlm-my joining them can't make it any worse, and
it would be folly in me to lose my share of the ap.
pies" And SO Congress must trample on the Sab
bath, because if they don't, others will. What kind
, of morality is this, Mr. johnson
5 Mr.. Johnson Well, sir, have exhausted my
e reasons let us hear what you have to advance OF
4 the other side.
v Me,noriaHst. ] wish the mails to be stopped ant
t the post offices closed on Sunday.
i /. Because large portion of the people desire it
9. Because a numerous body OF cur best citizen
believe that the present law is violation of the Law
r ofAod, and threatens to bring down the Judgment
: of Heaven upon our land and, whatever may b
/ his own opinion, no wise legislator will treat feel
ing so deep and sacred, with any other than tn
{: highest regard, or refuse to crafty it, except 70
II the most urgent considerations.
a 3 Because history proves that the strict obsel
vance of the Sabbath tends to produce the hi.hes
Is prosperity and happiness of the people.
N 4. Because it is to be feared that the present la
$, will be made @ the entering wedge of scheme
re convert our free government into an InGde Despl
tism.
$. The opening of the post-o1ices on Sunday, e,
y cudes from the Office of Postmaster all those rel
X guus men, whose conscientious scruples will not a
he low them TO transact secular business on that da'
Aud now sir, what preve It's the extension of til
Iy principle. lfCongress may open the postofIices
Sunday they may, open the custom house, and the
re no strictly religious can he a custom house
Ne icer. They may 70 iarther-'hcy may order tn
offices of all the departments of the government
RI be opened--they may even vote to continue the
IN own slttngs Sunday, and when they have gor
t thus far, they will have excluded religious fro
We all share in legislation, and from all places of pow
Ter and trust under the government. lniides alo
will be eligible to office, and when in6dels shall
all the high places in the land, what have the re
ne glous community to expect. bur repetition OF tho
'a' scenes of persecution and boodshed. from viii
ry our fathers fled for refuge to these shores. Sue
Mr.. johnson, is the natural consequence of I
lat principles which you advocate. Under the show
Der respect for the tights Of conscience, you really tra
o' pie them in the dust.
RI, SUNDAY TRAVELLING.
nd During the past summer Mr.. Adams on his jo'
,he ney to his native state in the regular of
,;r. steamboats, trips arrived on Sunday morning
lie Providence, Rhode Island. He attended chur
there, and in the AFTERNOON proceeded quietly, a