The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-04-15
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.
We are in receipt of q small
pamphlet issued by the conference Of
Seventh Day Adventists, which is
worthy of more than a passing notice.
1t is an appeal to the common sense of
the American people against the en-
forcement of Sunday laws in this
country, and vigorous protest to the
closing of the worlds fair on Sundays.
This religious denomination, as is WELL
known, believe in the Jewish Sabbath
as the holy day,and contend that there
is nothing mandatory in the teachings
of the New Testament to warrant its
change to the first day of the week.
1t is not necessary to enter into any
discussion of this question, for as
American citizens they should have
the right to worship God according to
the dictates of their consciences, and
not be deprived of following any avo-
cation they deem proper on day that
is not by them considered sacred. This
privilege should also be accorded to
the large class of our Jewish popula-
tion, who by the teachings of their
holy books and by what they consider
a direct revelation of the Almighty are
commanded to "Keep the Sabbath day
holy" pnder the constitution these
two religious denominations are enti
tied to equal privileges with all
olhers, and to force them to keep sa-
cred another day than the original
Sabbath is nothing less than persecu-
tion.
The pamphlet before US deals largely
with the worlds fair phase of the
Sunday question, and in the preface of
their appeal and remonstrance pub
llshes the following resolutions adopted
by the conference:
WHEREAS, The supreme court OF
the United States, contrary to the
principles upon which our government
was established, and contrary to the
constitution of the same, has declared
this to be Christian nation; and
WHEREAS, The congress Of the
United States, following in the same
course that the supreme court has
taken, has violated the constitution
and invaded the dearest rights Of the
people by legislating upon the subject
of religion, deciding religious contro
versy and establishing a religious insti-
tutiop, In the matter of closing the
worlds fair on Sunday; therefore be
it
Resokued, That we do hereby submit
to the government and people of the
United States this, our appeal and
remonstrance:-
Following these are the reasons on
which the appeal is made, and they
are drawn from many sources, princi-
pally FROM the trainers of the constitu-
tion and the foundation principles of
Christianity. These Adventists have
been imprisoned because they followed
secular employments on Sunday, and,
now, both they and the Jews in
America are excluded from visiting
the exposition on day that they con-
slider proper for recreation. Such
action could not be dictated by any
other motive than that of narrow, re-
ligious blgotry, and emphasizes the
fact that we are not so far removed
from the Quaker-persecuting and
witch-hanging epoch in the history of
the country as the lapse of time would
indicate. These Sabbatarians have a
right to be heard, and as their de-
mands are simply the guaranteed con
stitutional rights of every citizen pub
lie sentiment will endorse their pro-
test.
There is another phase to this clos
ing of the worlds fair on Sundays |
aside from that of religious persecution
of Sabbatarians, and that is, the moral
aspect. If the doors of the Columbian |
exposition are closed on Sundays, the |
vast throng of people will spend that |
day in Chicago, and will extensively
patronize the saloons and places of
questionable resort in the city. The |
countless thousands who are expected |
to visit the fair will find many vicious |
places wherein those who desire may |
see the shady side of life, and it would
be conducive to good morals if the
people could be kept as nearly as pos
sible within the inclosure of the
grounds. God and religion will not
be nearly as much desecrated by per-
sons viewing works of art or mechani-
cal skill on Sunday in the exposition.
as if they give vent to evil and debas-
ing passions in the streets of the city.
April 7th closed the fourth year of
the DAILY TIMEs-MoUATAINEER. 1t
was started with the expectation that
it would be factor in the develop
meDJ of The Dalles, and it has pur-
sued its course with this object in
view. If it has not accomplished its
purpose, the effort has been wasted;
but the editor believes that The Dalles
IS destined by natural facilities to be
the great inland city of Eastern Ore
gon. This is apparent from its situa-
tioh, and the fertile country tributary.
Tbaro ;S oply opo alan.ept lo obinv oDd |