The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-03-18

Almost every State in this Union have. by
positive legislation, not only recognized
this day as sacred, but has forbidden lis
PROCLAMATION, under penalties imposed by
law.
1t was never considered, by any ofthosc
States, as an encroachment upon the rights
Of conscience, or as an improper interfer.
ence with the opinions ofthe few, to guard
the sacrednsaupf that portion Of time &c.
knowledged = holy by the many.
The petitioner ask not Congress to OK.
pound the morallaw;they ask not Congress
to meddle with theological controversies
much less to interfere with the rights OF
the Jew or the Sabbatarian,or TO treat with
least dlsrespect the religious feelings OF
any portion ofthe inha bitants of the Union:
they ask the introduction Of no religious
coercion into Our civil institutions no blend
ing of religion and civil affairs; but they
do ask, that the agents OF Governments,
employed in the Post Office DEPARTING mt.
may be permitted to enjoy the same oppor-
tunities OF attending to moral and religious
instruction, OF ofintellectual improvements on
that day, which is enjoyed by the rest OF
their fellow citizens. They approach the
Government, not for personal emolument,
but as patriots and Christians, 10 express
fther high sense Of the moral energy and
necessity OF the Sabbath for the perpetulty
of our republican institutions, and respect.
fully request that Congress will not, by
legislative eEactments, impair those en-
ergies.
Among the many reasons which might
n ~ 10 hat ic Int A
a duty 10 grrnt the prayer of the petition.
ors, the following are only submitted:
The petitioners ask the enactment of no
law establishing the first days of the week
as the Christian Sabbath; they only ask the
extension and application, to one Depart
ment OF Government, principle which is
recognized, and has, since the foundation
of our Government, been acknowledged
in every other Department. The princi-
pie embraced in the petitions, has been re-
cognlzed by Congress, by adjourning over
the first day Of the week. At the first ses-
sion OF the first Congress, law was pas
sed establishing Judicial Courts, ard in
! that law Sunday is excepted from the days
on which that court may commence its
sessions. All the other Executive Depart.
ments of Government are closed on thai
day. Congress has never, by this, consid.
cred itself asexpoundingzthe moral law,
or as Introducing any religious coercion
into our civil Institutions, or making any
innovations on the religions rights of the
citizens, or settling by legislation any the.
ological question that may exist between
Jews, Sabbatarlans, and other denonlina-
| atoms. The good of society requires the
strict observance Cf one day in seven.
Paley, and other writer's on moral philos.
ophy, have shown, that the resting ofmen
every seventh day: their winding up their
iabors aud concerns once in seven days;
their abstraction from the affairs Of the
world, to improve their minds and converse
with their Maker; their orderly attendance
upon the ordinances Of public worship and
instruction, have a direct and powerful
tendency to improve the morals and tenn
poral happiness Of mankind
The wise and good ruler OF the universe
made the appointment, not by mere arbitrary
EXERCISE or authority, but for our good, and
whatever difference of opinion may exist in
respect to tho proper day to be observed, al.
most Ilasree, that one day in seven should
bo devoted 20 religious exercises ThQ. being
admitted, can any thing bo more reasonable
than the request of the petitioners, that at
least. SO much of the law should be repealed,
as requires the post Offices to be kept open
every day oftho week. Does not the enact.
ment OF the law plainly imply, that mankind
is under no moral obligation to refrain from
secular labor on any day Of the week. Is il
not IN direct opposition TO the received opin.
ION oi almost all protesting Christians 1t is
TO mat part OF tho law, moro particularly,
which requires, in terms, all the postmasters
throughout the United States to deliver let.
ters, packets, and papers, on every day Of the
week, to which the minority of your Commit
tee object, and which is most offensive TO the
petitioners. In his statute is at once seen.
palpable encroachment on the rights of con.
science. 1t either drives every man, who
ieels himself morally bound TO observe the
FsaoDath IN religious manner, from the
service OF his country, and equal participation
IN her iavors, or subjects him TO the hard
Terms OF remaining in Office at the expense
OF MS principles. 1t is freely acknowledged
tnat tho works of necessity and mercy are not
forbidden; and, If the transportation of the
mai on Sunday, could be justified on that
ground, (Which is not admitted) it cannot be
contended, that the keeping open Offices
were no mail arrives on that day, is the work
OF necessity.
The arguments which have been urged for
The transportation of the mail, &c. on the
Sabbath, are mainly derived from commercial
convenience, and from alleged arrangement
oil business and intercourse. This doctrine
initiates against the first principles of good
morals il these are important at all, they
are paramount TO the claims Of expediency:
but this plea makes them subservient to the
pressure of worldly business, and converts
them into mere questions Of profit and loss.
Granting the prayer Of the petitioners can,
not interfere with the religious feelings or
conscienccs Of any portion of the citizens:
because, they ask no service to be performed:
no principle to be proiessed II is only asked
that ceriain duties DO not renuired ON a cor