Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-08-26

Il LIE washington NEa-Jap EOIz LnlS week.
coming to handy yesterday, are quite full of fresh
and animated matter. Ono Of them, the ES-
Gminer, is full of the proceedings of the late
Convention of the Teachers Association sy-5
nopsis Of which was furnished us through the
courtesy of the Secretary, and published the
other morning. The Tribune and Exporter
both contain the answers Of the Republican
nominees for State and county offices to the
tinterrogatories propounded to them touching
the assessment for the interest on the bonds
issued by the county 10 the Hempfeld Railroad
In addition to this the Reporter has exhibited
a great dealof energy in furnishing aninterest
ing report of several columns inElength, of the
proceedings of Convention of the citizens of
the county opposed to the yepeal or modifca.
ton of the Sunday laws.
As We have pubiished,;n to.day's paper the
answer of Hon. Geo. v. Lawrence, one of the
leading candidates, to the interrogatories about
the bonds inquestion, and as his answer en-
braces all the points in issue, we shall confine
ourselves in this place to the proceedings con-
corning the Sunday laws. The meeting was
held in the Court House, and was organized by
the appointment of officers representing all
sections of the county. The most prominent
speakers were DR.. Wines, Mr.. Sweeney, of this
city, Prof Brewer of Washington College, Mr..
c. NJ. Reed. Mr.. Cow and Mr.. Ewing.
The following were the resolutions adopted:
WHEREAS, We have learned with deep re.
greet, that an effort is in progress in some parts
of our Commonwealth, to secure a repeal Of
the law of 1894, for the suppression of worldly
employments on the Lords day." commonly
called "Sunday"-nla law which has been in force
until the present time, and which only followed
similar statutes of 1856 and 1855. And where.
us, in this movement, a fundamental departure
from the uniform legislation and judicial de-
cisions of Pennsylvania on this subject, through
out her whole history is contemplated; and
whereas, the success of this effort in this COM
monwealth, or any part of it, cannot but be
followed by the most disastrous consequences to
the rights of conscience Of a large majority of
the citizens, as well as the interests of morality
and religion which are main pillars of the
state. Therefore,
ResolUe7, That we, portion of the citizens
of Pennsylvania, do hereby solemnly and ear
nestly protest against the repeal, or any modifi-
cation of the existing laws, whereby the re-
strictons imposed by our fathers in the better
days OF the Republic, upon the violation of the
Lords day, shall be rendered less operative and
| effectual.
Res0tced That since, in the impressive Ian
guage of the Supreme Court, Christianity
general christianity is, and always has been, a
part of the common law Of Pennsylvania; chris
tianlty without the spiritual artillery of Euro
pean countries; for this christianity was one of
the considerations of the royal charter, and the
very basis of its great founder, William Penn;
not christianity with an established church and
ithes and spiritual courts; but christianity with
liberty of conscience to all menu (Updegraff Us
commonwealth, 1924 Duncan, J.) therefore the
repeal of a law which was only designed to pro-
tect christianity from dissertation in one of its
vital institutions, would be blow at this fun
damental law and policy of our State, well
calculated 20 excite alarm, not only for tho hon.
or OF religion, but for the welfare of our most
precious institutions.
ResoLCed, That claiming for ourselves, and
according to others, the largest liberty of con-
science provided in our State constitution and
statute laws, we nevertheless regard the law in
question not only not inconsistent with this
liberty, but necessary to secure it. Adopting
Ionce more the language of the Supreme Court,
i we Say:-"lt would be q small boon to the peo-
Iple of Pennsylvania, to declare their ndefeasi-
BILE right to worship God according to the die
tates of their conscences, amid the din and
confusion of secular employmcnts, and with
dissertations on every hand, of what they con-
scientiously believe to be halowed time. These
statutes were not designed to compel men to go
to church, or to worship God in any manner
inconsistent with personal preferences; but to
Icompel a cessation of those employmentS which
are calculated to interfere with the rights of
those who choose to assemble for public wor-
ship. The day was set apart for a purpose and
the penal enactments guard it; but they leave
every man free to use it for that purpose or-not
If he wish to use it for the purpose designed
the law protects him from the annoyance Of
others-if be do not it restraints him from an.
lnoying those who do so use it. Thus, the law,
without expressing anybody, becomes auxiliary
to the rights of conscience (See Judge Wood
wards opinion in the Omnibus cases
/ Resolred, That the reduction of the question
to local contest by repeating the Law for particu
Tar cities or districts, or by opening the whole
issue for popular decision within them. is not
less Objectionable than the attempt to overturn
the Law. without the entire State, inasmuch as
this would be but the beginning of a movement
designed ultimately to affect the whole. The
citizens of the Commonwealth at large have n
deep interest in the morality of every part Of Il:
and should the friends of the Lords day in par.
ticuar districts, be in the minority, they de-
serve protection at the hands of their fellow
citizens in other districts, who have the power
to maintain the purity of the character and in
stitutions of Pennsylvania.
Resolred, That we call upon our Eellow-citi
zens at home, of all parties and Denominations
and upon our representatives in both branches
SlafT foo