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

another channel and sinking the establishment into state
OF pusannity incompatible with the dignity Of the gov
eminent of which it ia department
Passengers in the mail stages If the mails not per-
mitted to proceed Sunday, will he expected spend
that day upon the road generally under cir
cumstances friendly devotion, aud at expense
which many but poorly able TO encounter To obsi-
these difficulties many will employ carriages for
their conveyance and become the bearers Of correspond
ence as expeditions than the mail The stage pro-
prietors will themselves often furnish the travellers with
those for convey ance that the effect will ulti-
matcy only to stop the mail while the vehicle which
conveys il win continue and its passengers become the
special messengers for conveying considerable proper
ton of what would otherwise constitute the contents Of
the mail Hf1 Ia Aas lfaA
Nor can the committee discover where the system could
consistently end. If the observance of holiday be-
incorporated in Institutions shall not forbid
the movement of army, prohibit assault in time Of
war and lay injunction upon naval officers lie
wind while upon the that dayY Consistency
would require it. Nor is it certain that should
stop here If the principle is established that religion
or religious observances shall be with leg
islatve acts must pursue it to its ultimatum We
shall Il consistent provide for the erection OF edces for
the worship of the Creator and for the support of Chris
tian ministers IL believe such will promote
the interests Of Christianity 1t is the settled conviction
Of the committee that the only method Of avoiding these
consequences with their attendant train of evils Is to adj
here strictly the spirit Of the constitutions which regards
the general government in other light than that Of a
civil institution wholly destitute Of religious authority.
What other nations call religious liberation we call
lgious rights They not exercised in virtue OF gov
ernmental indulgence but rights Of which government
cannot deprive any portion Of citizens however small
Despotic power may invade those rights but justice still
confirms them Let the national legislature perform
an act which involves the decision of religious contro-
versy and it will have passed its legitimate bounds. The
precedent will then be established and the foundation laid
for that usurpaton OF the Divine prerogave in this
try which been the desoang scourge to the airst
portions Of the Old World Our constitution recognises
no other power than that of persuasion for enforcing reg
ous observances Let the professors of Christianity
oinend their religion by deeds of benevolence by Chris
tan meekness by lives of temperance and holiness Let
them combine their efforts to instruct the ignorant to
ieye the widow and the orphan to promulgate to the
world the Gospel Of their Saviour recommending its pre-
cepts BY their habua example, government will find it's
legitimate object in protecting them II cannot oppose
them and they will not need its aid Their moral inhu-
ence WILL them do infinitely advance the true inter-
ess of religion than any which they may call on
Congress to enact.
The petitioners do not complain of any infringement up
on their own rights They enjoy all shat Christians ought
to ask at the hand Of any governmentprotecon from
all molesation in the exercise of their religious senti-
mens. sasi la3#
Resolved That the committee be discharged from the fur
Their consideration of the subject.