Glasgow weekly times., 1859-02-24

s'S'eu III putting on ciean shirt, going 10
meeting, and singing psalms through his
nose, with face elongated beyond its na;-
ural dimensions, while his thoughts dwell,
intently upon temporalities. The Method
ist would possibly add 10 these requirements
an attendance of class meeting, and becom-
ing duly happy" in his sense Of that word.
The Catholic-by birth he was one him
self-would have his masses and confess
ions. And, in short, every sect would have
its own peculiar manner Of spending Sun
day. Now who could interfere and abridge
this liberty? Who could take his religious
dogmas for guide, and say to the people
Of this land Of religious libert-, that all who
differ from the mode which these dogmas
prescribe for spending Sunday, desecrate
Sunday, and must be punished by the civil
law? Ii was idle-it was sheer nonsense
TO do such thing. Then when the Ger
mans were prompted by their education,
habits and religion 10 assemble Sunday af-
'ernoons on the suburbs OF their towns, at
their beer gardens and summer house, and
there take a social glass of beer or wine,
whose business was il? Who had a right
to complain? Are they 10 be forced into
keeping Sunday in a manner which their
consciencs do not dictate, after being invi-
ted here with long, loud and repeated as
surances Of civil and religious iber'y?-
The gentleman from Andrew, fHudgings,
he said had opposed this measure as states
man. Wculd he, then, as a statesman, list
en- TO the voice OF experience and prece-
dence. He would inform that gentleman
that the records of the civilized world was
against him. The records Of England were
against him, and so OF the record OF France,
all The German States. ard every Europe
an nation. Moreover, the record, of every
large city in the Union was against the en-
forcement Of stringent Sunday laws. What
was the worth Of the craftsmanship which
flew directly in the face of all experience and
reason? He would not give much for it.
Mr.. Lelcher said: Mr.. Speaker, desire
the gentleman to call TO mind the circurn-
stances under which the bill allowing the
sale or liquor in St. Louis Oh Sunday pass
ed this House. 1t was passed under cir
g.
1t was passed at an appropriate time, rame-
ly: in the night. /: was dark deed, and
is disgrace TO The public records. 1t stands
there as 4 precedent Of legislative disgrace:
let us not invoke that precedent. II this
work has been commenced in the city of
ST. Louis under these circumstances, is It
any reason why the evil should pass to the
city of Cape Girardeau? 1t will next 20
to St. Charles, and thence all over the
Ntate-this peculiar institution imported
from Germany, and which has an advocate
upon this floor here to-day from that coun-
try. Much has been said in regard TO the
peculiar views of those who oppose this bill,
and it is taken for granted that such oppo-
s.t;cn is the result of hypocritieal senti-
ment about religious observances. No such
false charges and vile insinuaiions shall de-
ter us in the advocacy of those principles
we hare inherited from free ard fearless
ancestry, and manifest our fealty 10 such
principles by to-day putting the seal of re-
pudlation upon this bill. Applause. +
Go back TO the foundation of our State gov
ernment and 10 The decision of the Supreme
Court, which decision has been used as the
support for the advocacy of this measure,
and do we find any such differences as that
drawn by the gentleman from St. Louis,
Kribben. Look at the constitution, end
see if you do not there find Sunday recos.
nized as day distinct from other days.
Mr.. Kribben. Where is that portion Of
the constitution? -r-
Mr.. Lecher. ! think !, says, in speak
ing of adjournment, "every day except Sun
day." | am opposing the bill upon politi-
cal grounds, for regard it as proposing 10
infringe upon that, set apart by the consti-
tuition. 1t is political, not q religious Sab
bath, about which we are speaking. If the
gentleman Kri6ben1 will turn to Judge
Scolt's opinion, l believe he will find the
doctrine maintained that Sunday is day
recognized by the founders of orr State
Government; and il is TOO late for gentle
men to come here, with all the lights Of civ
ilization shining around us, 10 tell is thai
we are wrong-that the history of England
France and Germany are against us. Great
Godl Ii the history Of Germany is against
u, upon that ground, / have only TO thank
Almighty God for the fact. (Great APP
plause.) He calls our attention 10 the fact
that the cities Of Philadelphia and New
Yoak, and all great cities Of the Union and
of the whole world are against us. / am
olad to saa tbere IL rns raecrd ,,a,-.t tLa