Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-03-19
GOW @,R@9 STOYTAHs
SUNDAY Mali.

IL.
Mr.. Johnson of X ucky, from the Committee on the
Post Office ami Pos, Roads TO which had been re-
fired petitions and circumstances against the
porta'ion and opening OF the public mail the Sab
bath day, made the following
RETORT :
The Committee on Post Offices and Post Ro1ds 10
tchich the memorials we'c referred fer prohibifns
The transportation Of the Nails, and the opeRinc
IF Post offices, on Sun iGyS report
That the memoralsts regard the frat day of the
week as day set apart by The Creator for religious
ercscs, and consider the sp)Ttdon of the mall and
the opening OF The post ces that day. the violation
of religious duty and call for suppre ssion of the
practice hers, by counter moria', are known TO
entc tain different sentiment, believing that no one
day OF the week is heller than another Oilers hold.
ing the universally ard immutability of the Jewish
decaogue, believe in the sanctity OF the seventh day
q the week IA day OF religious devotion; and by
their memorial now efore lie committee, they also
request that ii may he set apart for religious
j. CHI has theo been lett to the exercise OF his own
opinion, ard ii has been regarded the pro- or bust
Tcss of Government 10 protect all and determine for
hone. But the attcmnt is now made to bring about
greater uniformity at least. in practice; aud, argu
men has failed the Government has been called upon
TO intcrrose its authority 10 settle the controversy
Congress acts under constitution Of delegated and
limited powers. The committee 'o>k in vain to that
instrument for delegation of power authorizing thi.
body TO inquire AMI determine what part OF time, or
whether any has been set apart by the Almighty
for religious exercises On tie contrary, among he
few prohibitions which il aims, il that prohibit.
n religious test and another which declares that Con-
Iigon, prohibiting the free exercise thereof The
committee might here rest the argume mt, upon the
ground that the question referred 10 them. does
come within the oognzince OF Congress; but the per-
severance and zeal with which the memoralists pur
cue Ih r Object, seems 10 require further elucd alton
Of the subject And, as the opposers Of Sunday mails,
dscim all intention 10 unite church and state the
n,ce do not feel disposed TO mpugn th ir motives and
whatever may be advanced in opposition to the mea
sure, will aise from the fears entertained OF it's fatal
tendency The peacc end happiness Of the nation. Thu
he ma nj
The constitution tedcon Of awful warning and they
have cvinced the greatest possible in guarding
against the same evil.
The law rs il row exists makes no distinction az To
the days of the week, but is imperative that The Post
masters shall attend at all reasonable hours in every
day, to perform the duties OF their cess and the Post.
master General has given his ions 10 ali Post.
masters, that, al Post O'ii'e where the mail arrives
Sunday The Office to he kept open hour, more
after tie arrival anil asserting The MALL hut in case that
would interfere with the hours Of public worship, the
cfce s 10 he kept open for one hour after the usual
time of i,solying the meeting This liberal con.truc-
lion Of the law does not satisfy the memoriasts. But
the committee believe hai there is just ground OF
complaint, Unless II lie conceded that they have con-
trolling power the conscrncss OF o,ber. II Con-
gress shall by the authority Of law sanction the mea-
sure recommended, it would constitute legislative de-
cision Ct religious controversy, in which even Cht,-
ans, themselves are at issue. However suited such
decision may be 10 ecclesiastical council il is in.
compa ible with republican legislature which is pure.
ly for political, and not relg ious purposes.
In our Individual character, we all entertain opinions,
and pur'ue corresponding practice upon the subject
Of religion However diyer'ifed these may be- we
oil barmonize citizens, while each h willing that the
other shall enjoy the same liberty which he claims for
himself But in our representative character our in.
dvidual character 10 lost. The individual for him
self the representative for his constituents He il
chosen TO repre- their POLITICAL and their reIi-
gi0us viewsto guard the rights Of man; not restrict
the rights Of conscience. Despots may regard their
subjects their property, and usurp The Divine pre-.
rogative OF prescribing their religious faith But the
history Of the world furnishes The melancholy demon
sration, that tic deposition Of TO the
religious homage Of another springs from al unchas
tened an billion, rather than sincere devotion TO any
religion The principles OF our Government do no
recognize in The majority, any authority over The mi
nOfity, except In matters which regard the conduct
man to his fellow man. Jewish monarch, v grasp
ing the holy oenser, lost both his seepire and HE free
dorn destny little 10 be envied NAV be the lot o
the American people, who hold the sovereignty Of pow
cr IL they, in the person Of their representatives. shall
attempt 10 unite in the remotest degree Church am
state.
From the earliest period Of time, gions teacher
have attained great ascendAncy the minds Of IN
people; and in every nation ancient modern wheth
or Pagan, Mahomed5n, or Christian have succeeded
the incorporation Of their religious tenes with the pol
teal institutions Of heir country. The PerfiaO id !
the Gfecian ofacles, The Roman augures, and the mo'
presti ood Of Europ, have all, in their turn be-
the subject Of popular adualion. aud the agents OF
liical deception II he measure recomm ended shou
be adopted, IL would be difficult for human ssgac
10 ofesce how rapid would be- The succession or 10
numerous the uan Of measures which might follow
involving lhe dearest lights 81 all--tbe light Of COT
science. IL i perh'P, fortunate ior country, %