The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17
SUNDAY CLOSING
RELIGIOUS LAW

In a communication 10 The Times the
Rev. J 5. Washburne pastor Of the
Memorial Seventh Day Adventists
Church. says:
Sunday observance originated in re-
ligion; hence all Sunday laws are, in
their original intent and purpose. reli-
gious. This law. like all similar laws
before It even TO TIA days of Constan-
tine, is religious legislation. But this
does not appear in the bin itself. and
this for very good reason. For many
years certain organizations, religious or
semi-religious, have been urging each
Congress to pass District Sunday law
All. or nearly all, of these measures had
in them some phrase which indicated
their religious origin and intent
In 1888 the late Senator Blair of New
Hampshire introduced in Congress a very
stringent Sunday law, based on grounds
directly religious. This law was for the
whole nation, and provided a fine OF
$1,000 for its violation. 1t was rejected
in the committee largely because of its
religious character. One or more Dis
trict Sunday laws have since that time
been placed before Congress. for It was
evident that the people were not vet
ready for national Sunday law But
If precedent could be established. IL
Congress could be lea to commit itself
10 the principle Of religious legislation
for the District OF Columbia. then fl
would be comparatively easy for those
urging a national Sunday law TO secure
that for which they had tried so often
and failed. These measures have all
been met on the ground that in this
Government church and state are sepa-
rate. the First Amendment 10 the Con-
sututicn declaring that Congress shall
make no law respecting an establish
ment Of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof
While the present bill does not an
pear 10 be religious in its character. VET
IN the resolution passed by those who
have requested this legislation. il is
made perfectly clear that in its design
and intention religion is the real mo.
tive We quote from the resolution as
il appeared In The Times Of April 9.
We are compelled TO keep open our
Slaces Of business TO compete with
those dealers who DO not respect that
holy day.
we respectfully submit 10 the read
ers Of your paper that no one In the
District Of Columbia Is now compelled
to labor or TO keep open any place Of
business on Sunday. All are now free
TO rest and observe Sunday as d holy
day II they Gesire 10 do so But If
this law is passed, freedom is gone.
Then all dealers in provisions are com
PEELED by law TO close on Sunday. or
10 pay "A heavy fine, or 10 be sent 10
prison for thirty days. We know that
there are many grocers in the District
OF Columbia who are not willing thus
70 surrender their liberties.
Then, on the other side-that is. the
side Of the custOmers-we submit most
respectfully that 10 the poor. who have
but little money, and who often re-
ceive their wages too late to purchase
the daily bread before Sunday morning.
this law must work great hardship.
Nov, all are free. II this law were
passed. and strictly enforced, much SUI
fering would result. Ought not those
who must buy, as well as those who
sell. be consulted before this measure
Is passed? Do the people OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia desire 10 remain free
or viii they accept this yoke. because
4 certain class, who are even now Der-
fectly free themselves. desire TO compel
all their fellow-salesmen as well "a
their customers, 10 submit to legisla,
ton which viii open the door TO a fiOod
of religious laws dangerous TO the iber-
ties OF the people Of the District ana
of the whole country of the United
States2
This legislation Is for certain class
The first Sunday law OF Constantine. as
promulgated March :. 321 A D., was
only for a certain class. Yet the union
OF church and state. religious tests, and
logically, religious persecution, follow
ed Liberty was in chains. Then came
the worlds midnight-physical, intel,