The evening times., 1896-02-05
Advocates and Opponents Of the
Measure Make Addresses.
BRECKENRIDGE AN EXAMPLE
Gen. Birney Referred to the Time
when the Kent uckian Cha m piOned
Moral Reform Bill IN Congress-.
secular League Protests against an
1nfraction Of Personal Liberty.

in the District, was the subject of ii spirited
discussion this morning, and resulted III a
renonstrancc from Il number of representa-
tiyes or wel.-kEown associations against
the adoption OF the measure.
TIE proceedings were opened by DR.. W.
"A. Croffut, who said that he and Mr.. d.
W. Groh Were present TO represent the
Secular League. but that so far as he was
concerned he would content himself with
entering a protest, and would permit the
views OF the opposition to be expressed by
Mr.. Samuel b. Putnam OF Chicago. prcsi-
dent OF The American Secular Union and
Free Thought Federation, and by Gen.
william Birney OF this city.
Mr.. Putnam made an elaborate argu-
ment, taking the ground that. although
the proposed law was To be applied only
to the district, it was of national impor-
tance, and as such challenged the atten-
ton of the country. He argued that there
are already laws enough, even for the OBJ
iect sought. That it was designed to pro-
whom: The churches?
There are laws enough to protect the
Christian Church. II the bill should become
law it would not advance the church priv
ile..es nor induce "A greater or better OBJ
seryanct of Sunday as a day "f rest or
worship.
THE RIGHT OF CONGRESS.
Congress mas no right 10 interpret the
Chris ia u law as to the Sabbath. or TO say
tina the first day of tie week is the Chris
liun Sabbath. Christians themselves have
denied that it Is a divine appointment. No
one can define what shall be Christian OBJ
seryancc.
Hc arcuCd agains, the union Of church
and state. and protested against the bill
rs opposed to the fundamental principle Of
the government. which prescTibes that the
consent of the governed shall be obtained
tn ail laws. He said If the hill is adopted it
viii be he means Of reyiving the pcrsecu-
ti.uS Of the past ages. Government has
not hing whatever 10 do with religion, es-
pcciany scciurian religion, and there is
not tic slightest authority in the Bible for
observance al sunday. and its ohsery-
auce should be purely voluntary.
Tie makers OF the Constitution omitted
the word God from that Instrument for the
reason that such Introduction would not
le in harmony with the genius of govern
mcnt.
zen bfTNFN ifAit'Auf'h ii'N A'i4-f'4n' -
saving that some years ago he became
Identified with a movement that had for
consideration a similar measure inlrc dgCei
IN Congress by q great moraliSt. the Hon.
W. c. p. Brccknr!dge. whose efforts to
establish moral reforms are well adver-
tiSrd before the country.
II is far better, he said. 10 prov d. that
those who iabgr through the wees shall
have the privilege of getting fresh air oC
SUNDAY ard permit all who desire To dis
pose of themselves otherwise to 20 to
church u they desire.
The effect OF the bill. he said. would be
to uppress large element 1t would stop
the street cars from running. stop steam
cars. compel hotels 10 abandon entertain
ment on sunday. and even stop the cooking
IN the households. The bill. he says. is n
Justification of history. for Sunday is not
known as the Lords Day. nor rs ii set
aside as such by common consent nor in
accordance with divine appointment. There
is nothing in the Bible TO establish Sunda Y
as the Lords Day.
OPPOSITION TO THE CUSTOM.
The most determined stand taken by
Jesus Christ Himself was in opposition to
"A custom of Sabbath observance. He broke
the sabbath, according To the Jewish be-
lief The law is of no value except to
afford opportunity to one neighbor to veX
and annoy another. All previous enact
nipnlS IN This iineS except works of charity
and mercy. leave the courts Ia determine
whal arr acts uf this character.
Spea king of the clause in the bill that
permits work TO be done on Sunday under
certain conditions. providing it does not
disturb others. Gen. Birney said a prea cher
ought no; Ia br trusted to frame a law
for the government OF others.
There was no necessity for the clause.
since the general law applied already He
quoted the Baptist Messenger for the state
rnent that the people had departed from
the aDcien, traditions with respect to
SUNDAY Observance. and that laws similar
to This cannot he enforced.
Rev. Allan Moon. representing the Inter
national Religious Liberty Association
! said that at the time to which Gen Rirney
refers, when a mass-rneeting was held
to oppose the bill then presented. peti
ton to which twenty-five thousand names
| were subscribed was filed with Congress
| in protest against it. and he believed that
| If pOlit1t now. the CHRISTIAN sentiment OF
| the community would be recorded against
| this bill.
Mr. Moon is a minister OF the sect known
| as Second Adventists but declared that he
! tid not desire to bc recognized as the repre-
/ sentative of any church. He belonged to an
! association That has organizations In every
! civilized country Of the world. and he pro-
| tested against tie proposed legislation In
| behalf of the many who objected to the es-
| tabIishnient by the state OF religious
| institution.
ATTACKED THE BILL.
| Mr.. Francis Il. W oodhury of the National
| Spiritualists' Associa tion attacked the
/ bin because it was an attempt of the evan
! gciicaI church to trcspass upon the rights
| of these who do not coincide IN cvan.eil
| cal views. He objected further, for the
| reason that it prohibited HFday concerts
| the sale or soda ard ether necessaries, in
| ciuIing cigars. and said he hoped the Com
| missioners woud not permit religious en-
| ,hyisiaSts 10 bring down upon their head
| the curses of the people.
The enactment of such law would in
crease the crop of liars and hypocrites