The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-05
Our Sun!sy Law and lis ConsliluIIonalIly.

To the Editor OF The News.
Sir:-The American Christian Sab
bath is in imminent peril in fact, in
many OF our large cities and i'm other
parts of our land. it is already nearly
lost. This means, that American liber-
ty and American institutions are I'm
peril for OF those. thhe American Sab
bath has both the foundation and the
protection.
1t Is maintained. as at recent legis-
lature public hearing, that the law of
our state enjoining abstinence from la
Dor on Sunday under penalty, was die
tated in large measure from relig-
lous motives. and cannot be sustained,
inconsistent with the state constitution,
which ordains. that no human author
ity. should control or interfere with the
rights of conscience: that no person
should be hurt. molested or restrained
In his religious professions or senti-
ments. that no preference can ever be
given by law to any sect or mode OF
worship.
Those who question the constitution
atty Of our Sunday law seem TO imag-
inc. that the constitution is To be re-
garded as an instrument framed for "a
state composed of strangers collected
from all parts of the globe. each with "A
religion OF his own, bound by no pre-
vious political or social ties nor SYM
pathiZing in any common reminiscent
ces of the past; that unlike ordinary
laws, IL is not to be construed in refer
ence to the state and condition of those
for whom Il was intended. but that the
words i'm which IL is comprehended are
7ttiitrfr- 10 tbU rrgaruVd, without RESPECT 20
the history OF the people for whom it
was made.
| suggest. that IL a compulslve OBJ
servance Of Sunday had been deemed
inconsistent with the principles con-
tanned I'm the constitution. can any
thing be clearer than. as the matter
was brought to the attention of its fra
mers as members of a convention. a
specific condemnation of the Sunday
law then in existence would have been
engrafted upon il.
IL is thus evident that the trainers OF
the constitution. containing the prin-
ciple OF religious freedom, aid not re-
gard the COMPULSORY -GbserxaHee-ef
Sunday a violation of these principles.
IL is also evident that they deemed a
statute compelling the observance nee
essary TO secure full enjoyment OF the
rights Of conscience. The Sunday law
is not intended to compel people TO go
to church. or to perform any religious
act, as an expression OF preference for
any particular creed or sect but is de-
signed to, as far as possible, compel a
cessation OF labor SO that those who
conscient.ously believe that the day
was set apart for rest and the observ-
ance of religious duties may not be dis
turbed
Every person Is free to use the day
as indicated or not as he pleases. he
is only restrained from interrupting
those who wish To use the day as In
tended by a people who realized the ne
cessity and desirability of having a
particular day for rest and spiritual
culture. The trainers OF the constitu-
ton could not have intended. or de-
sired, TO make common by the consti-
tuition or otherwise. "A day consecrated
from the very birth of their religion.
and hallowed by many dear and sacred
associations.
How startling would be the an
nouncement TO our people. that by Their
organic law, they had abolished Sun
day, and that they were To be deprived
OF its great benefits.
Scarcely a question Is more alive to-
day among all labor organizations, than
the compulsory Sunday work. All over
the country when faboring men meet.
they pass resolutions on this subject,
and appeal 10 the public TO keep them
secure and ma ntain their rights re-
lating to Sunday labor With what sor-
row would tn toil-worn laborer re-
celve the intelligence that there was
no longer by law, a day OF rest from his
labor.
The hard worked and faithful beasts
of burden, would also soon find out by
experience, that laws were no longer
so much influenced by the tender and
Considerate effect OF Christianity, and
We would all find. that the moral. the
social and the physical advantages and
bless ngs which great and good men at
tribute TO the proper observance of
Sunday, would be taken away.
Respectfully.
Providence. June > 1899
FRANCIS GALLAGHER