Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-13
SUNDAY MAIL.

Mr.. JOHNSON, OF Kentucky, from the Commits
tee on the Pos, Office and Post Roads, TO
which had been referred petitions and re-
mopsrances against the transportation and
Opening ef the public mail on the Sabbath
Cay, made the following
REPORT:
FRe Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads TO ih'eh
the naerorials pere referred for prohibiting the Trims
portaiiO. Of the Mails and the opening Of Post CGce''
on Sundays, report: :,
That the memoralists regard the first day Of
The week as day set apar, by the Creator for
religious exercises; and consider the transpor'
tarion Of the mail, and the opening OF the post
ofhres Oh that day, the violation OF religious
duty, and call for a suppression OF the practice.
Others, BY counter, memorials, are known to
entertain different sentiment, believing that
Io one day Of The week is boiler than another:
Others, holding the universally and immua-
bilily Of the Jewish deealogue, believe IN the
sancity Of the seventh day of the week as
day Of religious devotion; and by their memo
rial now before the committee, they also re-
quest that il may be set apart for religious pur
poses Each has hitherto been left 10 the tx.
ercise Of his own opinion; and il has been Pc
earded as the proper business Of Government
10 protect all, an6 deter mine for none But
tine attempt is now made TO bring about great
er uniformity, at least. in practice; and, as ar
yument mas failed, the Government has been
called upon to interpose its authority 10 settle
the controversy.
CONGRESS acts under a constitution OF dele
gated and limited powers. The COMM tee
look in vain TO that instrument for delegation
of power authorizing this body to inquire and
determine what part Of time, or whether any,
has bsen set apart by the Almighty for religious
exercises. On the contrary, among the few
prohibitions which it contains is one tha. pro
hibiis religious test; and another, which de-
clares that Congress shall pass no law respect
ing an establishment Of religion. or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof The committee
Nigh; here rest the argument, upon the ground
that the question referred TO them, does no,
come within the cognizanse Of Congress; hut
the perseverance and q al with which the me.
morialiss pursue their object. seems to REQUIRE
a further elucidation Of the subject. And, as
the opposers of Sunday mails disclaim all in,
tention to unite church and state, The commit
tee do not feel disposed to iinpugn their mo-
tive.: and whatever may be advanced in oPpo-
sitiou TO the measure, will arise from the tears
entertained Of its fatal tendency 10 the peace
and happiness Of the nation The catastrophe
of other nations, furnished The trainers Of the
constitution a beacon Of awful warning, and
they have evnced the greatest possible care in
guarding against ,hesame evil.
The law, as it now exists, makes no disiinc.
ton as to the days OF the week, but is impera.
tive that the Pos,mas,ers shall attend Ut all rea
sonabe hours, in every day, to perform the
duties Of their Offices; and the Postmaster Gene
raj has given his instructions to all Posimas,ers,
that, at Post Offices, where the mail arrives on
Sunday the office Is to be kept open one hour,
or more, after the arrival and assorliog the mail
but 10 case that would interfere with The hours
Of public worship, the Office is to br kept open
for one hour after the usual time Of dissolving
the meeting. The liberal construction OF the
Law does not satisfy he memorialfsts. Blu, the
Committee believe that there is no jus ground
IF complaint, unless il oe conceded thai they
have controlling power over the consciences
Of others. II Congress, shall, by the authority
or law, sanction the measure recommended, 1t
would constitute legislative decision OF a re-
ligious controversy, in which even Christians,
themselves, are atissue However suited such
decision may be 10 an ecclesiastical councl j,
i, is incompatible with arepublican legislature
which is purely for political, and no, religious
purposes.
In our indivlduai CHARACTER, We all entertain
oninions, and pursue corresponding practice
upon The subjec, of religion. However diver
SIZED these may be, we all harmonic as citizens,
while each is willing that the other shall enjoy
the same liberty which he claims for himself.
But in our representative char acter,our indivi-
dual character is lost. The individual acts Tor
himself; the representative for his constituents
He is chosen 30 re2resen, their political, and not
their religious views-,o guard the rights OF
man not TO restrict the rights, Of conscience.
Despot. ma, regard their subjects as their
property, and usarp the Divine preroga,ive Of
prescribing their religious faith But the his.
tory Of the world furnishes the melancholy de.
nionstra,ion, that the disposition of one man to
coerce the religious homage ofanother, springs
from an unchas,eBed ambition, rather than
sincere devotion to any religion. The princi
MES Of our Government do not recognize in the
majority, any authority over the minority, ex-
Geo, in matters which regard the conduct oil
man TO his fellow man. A Jewish monarch, by
eras,ing the holy censor, lost both his sceptre
and his freedom; destiny as lir'le TO be envi-
ed. ma, be the lor of the American people,
x. LA ,hs soyereipptv Of power, ii they, In