North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-07

Sunday Laws.
In Milwaukee, on last Saturday even
| ing, there was an immense meeting to pro-
test against the enactment of laws con-
straining the people to particular obscry
anccs on Sunday. 1t was claimed, that it
was the right for every man to observe that
day in the manner that best suited his
tastes and convictions, having due re-
gard to deccncy and good order. No, OBJ
lection was made to those laws which re-
cognizcd Sunday as day Of rest, MS, in
deed, the necessities of our nature and
| common consent, without law, would lead
people to seek relaxation from toll ut stat
ed intervals, but the opposition was direc-
| ted against the enactment of such laws MS
contemplated the enforcement Of reli-
gions observance of Sunday according to
| the tenets of any sect whatever. 1t was
commended, and truly too, that laws of the
latter sort infringe upon the liberty of the
citizen in that which concerns his con-
science, and his right to worship accord
| ing to the dictates thereof. 1t was, con-
sidcred very poor kind of liberty, which
| subjected the religious belief and practice
of people to the dictation of a majority,
| never mind how small or accidental that
majority might be. Both the Constitution
of the United States and that of the State,
provided against such laws, and their fra
mers found their reasons therefor in the
lessons taught by the dear bought expert
cnces of other nations.
The Daily Wisconsin finds in the action
of the meeting on Saturday evening, de-
sign I" that there should be no Sunday IN
this Christian land" The reasoning of
| kbn
concludes that the assertion of the right Of
bath according to his own convictions is
war against Christian institutions. This
is, indeed, Christian country, but it is SO
| by force of public opinion, and not by le-
gal enactment: for, by the fundamental
law, men Of all kinds of religious views
possess equal rights, and are entitled to
equal protection. If the State, in its SOW
ereign capacity, is to take part in these
matters, by what theological standard is it
going to interfere Are the "blue laws
! Of Connecticut to be enacted in Wisconsin?
Are the people, who prefer to take their
rest and holiday on the waters Of our bcau-
tiful lakes, or in our groves and green
fields, with their families, to be compelled
to stay at home, fasting and notifying
themselves Is it not better, and really
more conformablc to principles of free
government and to right reason, that each
one should be left to his own choice in
those matters? The only proper and le-
| Ultimate way to enforce what is called a
''strict observance of the Sabbath is by
convincing the people that it is better for
their spiritual welfare. No one ever was,
or will be, converted by statute. Religion
by law is no religion at all, or, at the best,
only hollow concern. q
In this matter, the Wisconsin finds fault
with our German fellow citizens, and says,
"these foreigners come here, and desire
'' to force their foreign notions on the AM
"erican republic" In this particular, we
think the Wisconsin is very much mistak-
en-, for the only thing the Germans wish
| to accomplish, is to be unmOlested in their
customary exercises and practices on Sun
day. The boot pinches on the other foot,
for the Wisconsin, and its friends would
compel a conformity on the part of the
Germans, with religious practices unusual
and distasteful to them. AS for the inn
morality and disorder cngendercd by the
habits, &C., of the Germans on Sunday,
the idea is refuted by the observations of
all travellers upon German life in the old
world. a
The Wisconsin, goes on to say, that Ne
coppcrheads will rally for an abolition
ofthe Christian Sabbath Ifby the "cop-
perheads" is meant Democrats, we will
say, that the Democrats are willing to
leayGthis matter to public opinion, where
it belongs, and believe that the legislature
has nothing to do with mems religious be-
lief and practices. The Democrats think
it is a subject that should not be dragged
into the political arena. The Democrats
recognize the force of constitutional obi
cations in this matter, as well as in all 9TH
ers, and, as party, will take no part in
the discussion, except in defense of the
rights Of the people, retigious as well as
political. On the other side, however,
there can be no doubt, that when the as
cendancy of the Republican party is secar.
| ed beyond paradventure, government will
place its strong hand upon the domestic
and private habits of the people, us well
! as upon their religious belief, in order to
enforce a conformity to the yiews Of those
Ia pnwor