The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-02-02

udy, Iue BCvSutl O6y, 10 tA0 uo
that God set apart az the day OF
rest and holy observance, should
combine and get control of the leg
islative branch Of the Government
and should enact that all persons
should abstain from labor, sale OF
barter of goods, wares or merchan.
disc on that day under pains and
penalties affixed thereto. What do
you suppose the religious people,
who believe that the first day of the
week is the day that Christ ordained
as a day of sacred rest, would say
Would they not all say that such a
law was violation of the constitu-
ton, because it in effect abolishes
the Christian Sabbath, a day OF
rest and divine Worship They
would rebel against Reinforcement
of such a law. and claim that their
rights guaranteed by the sacred en-
actments of The law of the land,
which declares that the free use OF
religious worship shall not be pro-
hibited. We must remember that
this is land of equal rights to the
Jews as well as to the Gentiles.
"The laws of Mexico, intended
to prescribe and regulate a persons
religious belief, were the first mov-
ing cause that inspired the Texan
patriots to draw their swords in de-
fense of enlightened freedom and
religious tolerations.
"The men that fought and won
her independence dedicated her S oil
to be the dwelling place of freemeE
of every kindred and tongue, COM
ing from all nations to enjoy un-
molested, as they may think proper,
the religious views and customs
taught them in their native land.
Our friends, the Germans, are a
class of immigrants / have made
great exertions to secure. They
purchase our lands and pay us cash.
Some of them have settled on land
that was considered unproductive
without irrigation; through their
skill and industry this dormant soil
blossoms like the rose, and brings
forth immense treasures of wealth.
When, in our distress, we beckoned
these peaceable, intelligent and har-
! dy pioneers to our shores, we prom
ised them an asylum of freedom.
II never can give my consent to
the passage of any law intended to
regulate the manner in which they
or any other class of people shall
observe Sunday. Such an act would
be in bad faith, and | not only re-
fuse to advocate such a measure,
but interpose my solemn protest.
When a government like ours un-
| dertakes to declare certain acts of
individuals unlawful, that consid-
erable portion thereof honestly be-
lieve is an ahridgement of their
inalienable rights, it cannot be en-
forced, and is calculated to lessen
the respect that citizens should
have for the laws of their country.
"In regard to the suppression of
the evils of intenlperance by legal
enactments, l should give the meas
ure my sanction and support, if /
thought it possible to accomplish
| the object in that manner. have
given the matter some thought, and
[ have come to the conclusion that
there are insurmountable obstacles
IN the way. In the first place, if
you prohibit the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors in one county the article
will be obtained from the adjoining
one; if the State abolishes the traf-
fic in ardent spirits, Importation of
the same from the neighboring
States will be resorted to. If the
Congress of the United States should
prohibit the manufacture and sale,
importation from foreign countries
would take place. If Congress
should pass a law forbidding the
importation, it would involve the
Government in q war with nation
alities where treaties have been
formed.
"Opium is as injurious to the
mental and physical well-being of
mankind as intoxicating drink. A
short period past the use of opium
by the Chinese became so extensive
and injurious that the Emperor is-
sued an edict ordering the ports of
China closed against the introduce
ton of opium for sale. That act of
the Emperor the English Govern
ment declared to be declaration
of war against England, because
her people were extensively engaged
in the manufacture and expectation
of the drug to China for sale, and
the Queen sent her many men there
and responded to the Emperor's
proclamation with the roar of her
cannon. The legality of the act
aroused considerable discussion in
this country. John c. Adams, in
an exhaustive speech delivered in
fremont Temple. Boston, justified
England. Mr.. Adams said that it
would not do to violate the laws of
nations to suppress an evil, how
ever great.
Before the evil of intemperance