The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-07

Report Of Mr. r. M Johnses, Of KsatSoty 10 the Senate Of

Report Of M. r. M Johnses Of Ksatuoty 10 the Senate o.
ne United States, Jansary IS, 1929.
The committee to whom referred the several petit
tons tho subject OF mails the Sabbath, the first
day OF the week. report:
That some respite 10 required from the ordinary
tons Of life Is established principle sanctioned by the
usages Of all nations, whether Christian pagan. One
day in has also been determined upon 40 the pro-
portion Of me and in conformity with the wishes OF the
great majority of citizens Of this country the first day Of
the week. commonly called Sunday has been set apart to
that object The principle has received the sanction of the
national legislature far as TO admit suspension of all
public business that day except in Of absolute
necessity, or of great public utility This principle the
committee would not wish to disturb II kept within its
legitimate sphere OF action injury result from its
observance II should however, be kept in mind that the
proper object TO protect all persons in the
enjoy men of their religious well civil rights and not
10 determine for any whether they shall esteem day
above another or esteem all days alike holy.
We are aware that variety Of sentiment exists among
the good citizens this nation the subject Of the Sab
bath day and is designed for the proec
ton Of much for another The jews, who in
this country free Chrisans and entitled to the
protection from the laws derive their obligation to
keep the Sabbath day from the fourth commandment in
the Decalogue, and in conformity with that injunction pay
religious homage the seventh day of the week. which
we call Saturday One denomination of Christians among
justly celebrated for their piety and certainly as good
citizens any other class agree with the Jews in the
obligation of the Sabbath and observe the day
There also many Christians among us who derive not
their obligation observe the Sabbath from the Deealogue
but regard the Jewish Sabbath abrogated. From the
example Of the Apostles Of Christ they have chosen the
day of the week. instead Of that day set apart in the
Decalogue for their religious dcyotons These have gem
orally regarded the observance Of the day devotional
exercise and would not readily enforce tupon Others
than they would enforce secret prayer or devout meda
tons. Urging the fact that neither their Lord nor His
disciples though often censured by their accusers for
violation of the Sabbah enoned its observance they
regard it subject which every person should be
fully persuaded in mind others toact
upon his persuasion. Many Christians again differ from
these processing derive their obligation to observe the
Sabbath from the fourth commandment Of the Jewish Dec
alogue, and bring the example Of the Apostles who APP
pear have held their public meetings for worship the
first day of the week. authority for far changing the
Decalogue substitute that day for the seventh The
Jewish government theocracy which enforced reg
ious observances and though the committee would hope
that portion of the citizens of orr country could will
ingly introduce system Of religious coercion in civil
institutions example of other nations should admonsh
US to watch carefully against it's earliest indication
With these different religious views the committee are
Of opinion that Congress interfere 1t is not the
legitimate province Of the legislature determine what
religion is true what is false. Our government is
civil and not religious institution Our constitution
recognises in every person the right to choose his
lgon and enjoy it freely without molestation What
may be the religions sentiments Of citizens and how
ever yarent they alike entitled protection from the
government long they do not invade the rights Of
others. ae *
The transportation of the mail the first day of the
week. it is believed does not interfere with the rights
conscience The petitioners for lis disconnuance appear
to be actuated from religious ZEAL which may be
mendabe if confined to its proper spheres but they take
position better suited to ecclesiastical than civil
institution They APPEAR in many instances lay it
down axiom that the practice is violation Of the
law Of God Should Congress- in their legislative capacity
adopt the sentiment It would establish the principle thai
the legislature is proper tribunal determine what
the laws God 1t would involve the legislative decision
in religious controversy and point in which good
citizens may honestly differ in opinion without disturbing
the peace Of society, endangerng its liberties If the
principle is introduced it will be impossible de-
fine its bounds Among all the religious persecution with
which almost every page Of modern history Is stained
victim suffered but for the violation OF what govern
ment denominatsd the law of God To prevent similar
train Of evils in this country the constitution has wisely
withheld from our government the power of defining
divine law 1t is right reserved each citizen and
while he respects the equal rights Of Others be be
held amenabe any human tribunal for his conclusions
Extensive religious combinations effect political OBJ
ect are in the opinion of the committee always danger
This first effort Of the kind calls for the establishment
Of principle which; In the opinion of the committee
would lay the foundation for dangerous innovations upon
the spritof constitution and upon the religious rights
the citizens If admitted, it may be justly apprehended
that the future measures Of will be strongly
marked if not eventually controlled by the influence
All religious despotism by combination and
influence and when that influence begins operate upon
the political institutions Of country the civil power soon
bends under it and the catastrophe Of other
nishes nm awful warning Of the consequence
Under the present regulations Of the Post Office Depart
ment the rights of conscience not invaded Every
agent enters voluntarily and it is presumed conscientious
W into the discharge Of bis Duties without ntcrmeddng
with the conscience of another Post Offices so regua-
ted that but small proportion Of the of the week
is required to be occupied in official business In the
transportation Of the mail that day agent Is
employed many hours Religious persons enter into the
business without violating their conscience i'm
posing any restraints upon others Passengers in the mail
stages free to rest during the first day Of the week.
pursue their journeys their pleasure While the
mail is transported Saturday, the Jew and the Sab
bataran may abstain from any agency in carrying IL
from conscientious scrupes. While it is transported
the first day of the week. another class may abstain from
the religious scrupies The obligation Of govern
is the to both OF these classes and the
mittee discover principle which the claims Of
one should be respected than those Of the other
less should be admitted that the consciences Of the mi
nority are less sacred than those Of the majority
~ 81. A.. 49, ~