Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-08-22
AS to Sunday Laws.

We notice that the question of Sab
batciaI law is attracting considerable
attention, owing to the efforts of some
enthusiasts to force upon all persons
| through the medium of the civil law, 6
stricter observance of certain religious
dogmas. In this connection the fol-
lowing will be read with interest. II
| is a portion of the report Of a United
| States Senate committee on the same
subject, sixty years ago session ol
1S2S-29. The arguments are unanswer-
able; and the principles stated are just
now worthy of the most earnest con-
sideration of every American citizen:
"The Senate proceeded to the con-
sideration of the following report and
resolution, presented by Mr.. Johnson,
with which the Senate cOncurred:
" "'The committee to whom were re-
ferred the several petitions on the sub
iect of mails on the Sabbath, or first
day of the week, report:
"'That some respite is required from
the ordinary vocations of life, is an es-
tablished principle, sanctioned by the
usages of all nations, whether Christ
ian or pagan. One day in seven has
also been determined upon as the pro-
portion of time; and in conformity with
the wishes of q great majority of the
citizens of this country, the first day of
the week, commonly called Sunday,
has been set apart to that object. The
principle has received the sanction of
the national legislature, so far as to
admit a suspension of all public busi-
ness on that day, except In cases OF alb
solute necessity, or of great public utll-
ity. This principle the committee
would not wish to disturb. If kept
within its legitimate sphere of action.
no injury can result from its observ-
ance. 1t should, however. be kept in
mind that the proper object of gouern-
n1ent as to protect all persons an the
enjoyment OF their religious as aOeU as
ciUiE rights, and not to determine for
any ,Uhether they shall esteem one day
above another, or esteem alt days alike
holy.
rive are aware that a variety of
sentiment exists among the good citi-
zens of this nation, on the subject of the
Sabbath day; and our government is
designed for the protection OF one as
much as another. The Jews, who IN
this country are as free as Christians,
from the laws. derive their obligation
to keep the Sabbath day from the
fourth commandment of their deca-
logue, and in conformity with that in
Junction, pay religious homage to the
seventh day of the week, which we
call Saturday. One denomination of
Christians among US, justly celebrated
for their piety. and certainly as good
citizens as any other class, agree with
the Jews in the moral obligation of the
Sabbath, and observe the same day.
The Jewish Government was
a tbeocracy, which enforced religious
observances; and though the commit
tee would hope that no portion OF the
citizens of our country would willingly
introduce a system of religious coercion
in our civil institutions, the example
of other nations should admonish US to
watch carefully against its earliest in
dication. With these different relig-
ious views, the committee are of opin-
ion that Congress cannot interfere. 1t
is not the legitimate province OF the
legislature to determine what religion
is true, or what false.
"sOur government is a civil. and
not religious, institution. Our Con
stitutlon recognizes in every person the
right to choose his own religion, and
to enjoy it freely. without moiestation.
Whatever may be the religious senti-
ments of citizens, and however variant,
thev are alike entitled to protection
from the Government, so long as they
do not invade the righ t. of others. The
transportation of the mail on the first
day OF the week, it is believed, does
not interfere with the rights of con-
science. The petitioners for its discon-
tinuance appear to be actuated by re-
liyious zeal which may be commend
able if confined to its proper sphere;
but they assume position better suit
ed to an ecclesiastical than to civil
institution. They APPEAR in many In-
stances TO lay it down as an axiom, that
the practice is a violation of the law OF
God. Should Congress in legisla-
tive capacity adopt the sentiment, IL
would establish the principle that the
legislature is proper tribunal TO de-
termine what are the laws OF GOD.
1t would involve legislative decision
ON q religious controversy, and OH
point in which good citizens may hon.
estly differ in opinion, without disturb