Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-11-18
~ UNcoNsrirUrloSAI Law.
some Reasons Why tho woxid's Fair
should Not be Closed ON Sundays.

should Not he Closed ON Sundays.
The bill that passed both Houses
OF Congress and was signed by the
President, for the closing Of the
Worlds Fair on Sundays, was an
outrage on the people not only Of the
United States, but Of the entire
world, and fagrant violation Of the
Constitution, which forbids any in
reference with. or the establishment
Of, any religious institution, and Sun
day is distinctly religious insiiiu-
ton. The plain spirit Of the
Constitution is that matters of State
and matters of religion are to be
kept entirely separate. Any such
union corrnpts both. Whenever and
wherever tried such has been the re-
suit. 1t is contrary to natural law
and freedom of conscience, and the
opposite was taught by the founder
OF Christianity, who SAID he came not
TO Judge men, hut many of his fol-
lowers would attempt TO change
mems consciences by law, and to
prop up certain religious institutions
by legal enactment, thus acknowl-
edging weakness OH the religious
side. But no mans views in regard
to any religious observance ever was
or ever will be changed by law, so
the attempt to change it by such
methods shows not only narrow,
contracted spirit, but narrow intel
lect and the most intolerable bigotry
Certain religious organizations in this
country pretend to be defenders ol
religious liberty. Their argument
boiled down, runs like this: +" Every
man has perfect right to his owl
religious opinions and practices, JUS
so they conform exactly to ours" and
then they proceed to endeavor to Sc
cure the enactment of laws in viola
ton of the fundamental laws of the
government and in violation of ever,
principle of human rights. The,
|
brought their pressure to bear OF
Congress, thorough organization ant
ceaseless endeavor. Congress wa
flooded with petitions, and many o
these are alleged to be bogus. Nos
| il these narrow fanatics do not wan
Z to visit the Worlds Fair on Sundays
they are free to stay away. No la,
has been, or will be enacted, com
!, pelling them to attend. Such LAY
would be fully as just as one closin
the Fair on Sundays and saying
Others, sc you shall not attend Oh ths
c day." If bigots have an idea the
can create a love for the Sabbath b
forcing, or attempting to force pei
pie to observe it, they are foolin
l. themselves to the utmost, and the
e efforts, while not accomplishing tt
II object sought, place them in ligl
not at all complimentary to the
sense of justice or to their wisdor
: To claim religion is of divine Oh
IS gin and then seek to prop 1t up
- human enactment is either an a
acknowledgement of the weakness
ID vinitv or the wonderful potency
. human power. 1t is an acknowled
~ meut of belief that human attrlbut
- are more powerful than the Divine, al
. seems TO brand those who ask t
government to prop up their rel'glo
-, institutions as the worst kind OF by
ocrites. Their efforts in the dire
-, ton stated WOuiu ne su'J'S' w
:" severest condemnation if the funo
mental law of the land did not S
: that religious matters were not witt
the lines of governmental p'we
The enactment of the law to Gle
" the Fair on Sundays has aroused
genuine American sentiment ana
:" titions are beng circulated for
10 repeal. The methods employed
narrow bigotry is no more rePreh'
:, slble than the spirit that promp'
them. Certain sects threatened
4. boycott if the bill was not passed
h accordance with their fifteenth c.
n tury edicts. They would not o.
not attend the Fair, but threatened
i'm lay every possible obstacle IN the v
of its success. This was proclaim
- openly and with much noise
nor buster.
I'VE Rev. w. "A. Hendrickx furnls
.ss communication for the WoR
/ is riving his views of the closing
,ha Fair and he not only eNhlrlt