New-York tribune., 1895-12-17

Bishop Of Albany lderng his large ex-
perlences and his fearless dealings with public
questions in the city up the river. | have
thought that If ever were called upon, my
text would be: 4 have fought with beasts at
Ephesus Ladies and gentlemen ne is ready
to do it again. I take pleasure IN presenting
Bishop Doane. who will speak to you
Mir Chairman and men and women OF New-York
Closely AS the topics Of this evenings CONSIDERATION
subject which tas been assigned 10 me has tne re-
iat!on 20 them all Of the root T. the brancnesn
Local option 20 moral law. II l. one oi those
contradictions in terms whose statement is rs own
refuaton The only effort that Is worth makinS IS
with the question Of moral law, with principe oi
The TWO catch-words which have filed the popular
to-day about this question Of the sale or iiquGr
on on Snd9y mn 5yr ARE NJ a 9n w c T9ev
both sound statements of sound prncipes; me me I'M
ffa nlicson Abrdsmani ~ berty IS an ofTence
against God and man, and the encroacnnl-nt Of
srave Wrong Rut these general principes must b.
qualified by the meaning Of liberty and The objects
each Individual the rieht to do just what he pleases
and no community could exist consist for an hoIr
beny Men ns that f is not S ec2re by aw and the law that
secures il defines and limits ana controls it; else It
on the rights Of the community.
In Ike manner local option which the law may
freely confer. must be limited and defined IN rs
objects keep within ;ke law. Lct Us fac this
fairy In plain language Nnd Wnat IS .aWY In rs
rearer and narrower phases It is the declaration
Of principles enacted i'm the codes Of the National
ana state governments. In It's higher and heller
phase II i The revelation OF 'he VIII OF God. And
IN either view IL Is the mos prcnosterous Of propo
sitlons suggest that any single municipality has
the right bv majority Of its citizens, 20 separate
itself from tho Application Of the prncipo Of law.
LAW OF THE STATE.
The law Of the State OF New-Yorl on this subject
is contained in a chapter headel Grimes against
religious liberty and conscience" II sets ont with
/.
of the week has By general consent been So; apart
for and religious use. therefore certain acts
are prohibited which are serious interruptions of
the repose arI religious liberty of the community
Please notice that the state law does not create
but only accepts. the fet,.ns apart Of the day OF
rest: ard p.sase notice :nat it does not Interfere
with but only prevents the interruption q the
religious liberty OF the community and OF I'D in
diviiual And vet il rs deliberately prol 4 -
allow the citizens OF state - fec.ate, by their
votes that. while there be no SAFE OF the neces-
sarv articles of food after 10 ocork on the morning
of Sunday the whole afternoon and even.ns Of the
Lords Day should be free for the sale Of th1t
offends the conscience and disturb the reposc ana
dcsccrates into rreVcrence and lie nse the religious
liberty of the community. ! submit II - q trtvrsty
of law leg lliZ' violation of Jaw IN way Wlich
principles which 81 Is founded.
Behind this and before - cni above 1t, is the
mmemoral revelation Of The viii OF God for man
kind. | not afraid TO arpeal first to the religious
aide OF this question. which is it, strongest and
profoundest plea. To Hebrew or Christian. to
Roman Catholic Protestant there stands writ
ard rewritten with the finger Of God. even the Holy
S9.rt. upon the neshly tables OF the human heart.
pointing back 70 the time long before Moses point
inS 10 "A revealed duty. IN implanted instinct. an