The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-08
I T A IN

sleep, we have but to look at some of the
nations of our own continent to learn the
difficulty of maintaining even the forms of
peaceful government, much more a high
standard Of public morality and patriotic
devotion, without the conservative infu-
ence of the Sabbath. Among people,
where the doctrine Of "peace on earth and
good will to men is but rarely taught, or,
if taught, indiferently received, not per-
meating the mass Of the popular sentiment,
there is not only tendency, but readi-
ness to appeal to the sword, as the final in
strument of terminating the struggle. This
violent mode Of decision has, indeed, be-
come the reproach of Christian nations.
But let the full power Of the holy institu-
ton of God, with its associated Instructions,
be felt through the nations, and they would
learn war no more. The sound Of vio-
lence would no more be heard in their
and-wasting nor destruction within their
borders-their walls would be salvation,
and their gates praise. The era Of the
worlds paciication would be celebrated in
every language and in every cline. The
olive branch of peace would be interviewer
with the well earned chaplet, adjudged by
grateful millions to noble men, who had
distinguished themselves rather by the be-
nign victories Of peace, than the rough con-
quests of the battlefield. The spirit of
the millennium would reign through all
hearts, and the sublime anthem of praise
would rise from earth to heaven, and be
echoed in sweeter strains from heaven to
earth" Glory to God in the highest, on
earth peace, good will to men,"
The right to the Lords Day, for the pur-
pose of rest and devotion, is recognised by
the National Government. AS general
rule, no legislation takes place on that day;
ges are sent by the President; no cabinet
councils are convened; the courts Of justice
suspend their functions; the public Offices
are closed, and, by happy practice, origi-
mating in necessity, and continued by choice,
the Hall Of Representatives itself becomes
the weekly scene Of the worship Of God,
on his own day, and in the most simple
form. The same practice, of cessation from
business, prevails under the governments
Of the respective States. The laws are
comparatively silent, as if in deferential
homage to the supreme law of the Lords
Day. Indeed, were the duty of keeping
the Sabbath literally enjoined in the con-
stitution of each Commonwealth on it's
public officers, it could scarcely be more
regarded, in their official capacity, than it
Is at present.
There is indeed one painful exception,
that of the Post Office Department, under
the administration of which the Lords Day
is habitually violated by the transportation
OF the mail, and the opening of post Offices.
This system, (which originated in the unnat-
ural state, and amid the extraordinary emer-
gencies of war, should have ceased with
the cause that brought it into existence.
Instead of this, it has expanded itself with
the growth of our country, an anomaly in
our civil and political institutions, and an
lnfraction of the rights of some thousands
OF our fellow-citizens, in republic where
the sense of personal freedom, and the sem
timent of individual right, are supposed to
be stronger and more enlightened than un-
der any government on earth. Yet this
Government, representing citizens, not SUBJ
jects, existing in the providence and under
the protection of Almighty God, fails tore
cosnlsc, III tnelr true extent, either the
rights of God or of the citizens in whom
the sovereignty resides. The alternative
of violating wholesome law, or of resign
ing the privileges of Office, in effect a dis
should never be presented
to an American citizen. By the grant of
his Creator, he is entitled to the whole of
the Sabbath; nor can any power on earth
make void that grant All we ask is, the
protection of the Government in the enjoy
ment of our rights The right to worship
God, on his own appointed day, according
to the dictates of our conscience, is derived
directly from him, and is therefore too sa-
cred to be questioned, much more to be sa-
crfced by any earthly power. Nor ought
the plea of necessity to be urged. An ha-
bitual disregard of the injunctions ofa good
law cannot, in the nature of things, be ne
cessary; and, in point Of fact, we find that
great and dense communities can pass the
Sabbath without mail operations. In the
city of London, that vast commercial and
political metropolis, as we are informed,
the post office is closed throughout the Sab
bath, and there are no arrivals or departures
Of mails on that day.
i is impossible to overestimate the i'm
mort apcn re- tba oyo,,,,Ia C,L a.