The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-12-21

Europeans coming to America, as to an asylum
from oppression. " said the Rev. DR. King. Metho-
bring in the Continental Sabbath and destroy the
foundations of liberties secured for them, but with
out their assistance"
Substantially that remark is often made in eur
pulpts. The assumption il that by law we have an
established and characteristic Sabbath which every
body ought to be made to respect. But al the very
foundation of this republic lies the separation
State and Church. Consequently in the State of
New York the first day of the week can onl: be re
garded by the law rs n dag of rest, hoiIlay Lr
gay il is that, and not Sabbath which there i.
any religious obligation to keep. The State has
thing do with its religious character except So
far as to protect citizens in their right to worship
Sunday without disturbance. Such other rcgula
tions iustfable those only which nr-
eessary because of its peculiar character weekly
holiday.
Moreover, the majority of must dreiir what
restrictions shall he put about Sunday; and both in
this State and many other States fore igucrs and the
descendants Of foreigners who have come TO this
country within fifty years getting to be- the
jority. Their ideas to Sunday, whether it shall
be what the Methodist preacher calls Continental
sab6ath or otherwise, must inevitably prevail III
tn. long run.
II is true that formerly it was not easy for the
lawmakers to stick their theory. and carry it
its logical conclusion. in their tIeatnent of SUNDAY.
They slipped in restrictions which would only bc
just.able if the State undertook religious cOutrOl
But the laws wherein they offended became
dead letter, Of cunrse. popular opinion
fused TO sustain them. And if nov they are revived
and so enforced To become Troublesome. they will
speedily he abolished once for all, for only small
portion of the community, native and Of foreign
birth. would tolerate them laws 10 which oIe-
drnce actually compelled
Nor has anybody "a right to complain Of foreign
ers BECAUSE they here, qualify themselves
voters, and undertake to make laws and
toms to suit themselves That is their right. They
were invited to to this republic that under
standing. They were to have sharr in making the
laws when they became citizens. They emi.rsicd
from countries wherr Kings and State rhurchrs
oppressed and hampered them. TO to
where there WAS liberty of conscience where reli-
son individual matter and not one of Gov
erument regulation. To force them to keep sun
day a Sabbath in accordance with the notions of
this Methodist preacher and the small minority lac
represents in New iork, would. therefore, ''be To
destroy the foundations of the liberties secured for
them" 1t would be TO upset our whole republican
theory.
But the Rev DR.. King and those who think like
him can do this with all prOpriety: they 20
work and try convert these Foreigners and the
tis-s who sympathize with them 10 their way uf
thinking in regard to Sunday observance. The law
cannot make the day sacred, for the law has
thing to do with religion; and therefore Sunday here
will be made holy only 90 fur believe that
God commanded il To be kept aud believing. render
Obedience accordingy.-T. Y. Tribune.