The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-15

they may do worse But II is tneil
fright to refuse, and no one will ques-
ition 1t. Some even may so so far us
to resolve to boycott the fair entirely
unless its gates are closed on Sunday
They have a right to do this also;
but the numbers of such will be small
Action so extreme. in the name of Him
who was Himself accused and de-
nounced because he refused to conform
to the alleged law OF the Sabbath, Ia
not likely to carry much force or
weight. There is one conclusive an
swer. The Sabbath-and Sunday is an
attempted transformation Of twas
made for man. not man for the Sab
bath.
And there are more reasons than the
loss of gate receipts. That one reason
has some Importance, but II is trifing
in comparison with others. II the fair
is to be immoral it should never be
opened. But II moral on other days of
the week II cannot be immoral on Sun
day. Open on Sunday, 1t win be
place for quiet recreation; and for
multitudes ii will be the only day of
the. week If there be those who can
not conscientiously attend on Sunday.
no one will complain of them; no one
will tease or annoy them. But are
these conscientious persons to be fore
ers Of the conscience OF others?
There are several classes of per-
sons who differ in everything else. yet
who want the fair closed on Sunday.
Chief of these are the extreme and
rigid Sabbatarians, the lower sort Of
saloonkeepers, the proprietors of vau-
deville shows and amusements. and
persons engaged in transportation serv-
ice not directly connected with the fair
grounds. All these, except the extreme
Sunday -Sabbatarians, expect or hope
to make money through closure OF the
fair on Sunday; because people viii
do something and go somewhere. and
will not mop, on Sunday;-and the
fair will bring large numbers who
must find entertainment somehow. and.
IL the gates Of the fair are closed,
snows and picnics and excursions will
take them-to say nothing Of the
"other places always open. There Is
no morality in the proposal to close
the fair on Sunday. AS for religion, 1t
is a matter of individual and private
conscience, with which the state has
nothing to do. It has no right to in
sist on observance Of Sunday, or Of
any other day, as holy day." The
state of Oregon is affording large sup
port to this fair. But it cannot insist
on enforcement Of any religious OBJ
servances in the conduct of 1t. No
law" says the constitution Of Oregon,
shall in any case whatever control
free exercise and enjoyment OF re-
ligious opinions, or interfere with the
rights of conscience" Again, mo re-
ligious test shall eb required as quail
fication for any Office Still further,
mo money shall be drawn from the
treasury for the benefit Of any theolog-
ical institution, nor shall any money
be appropriated for the payment of any
service in either house of the
legislative assembly" The plain and
clear purpose Of these provisions Is to
forbid any attempt to control or tol
enforce any theological or religious
belief. Yet in this category the the
illogical and ecclesiastical idea OF Sun
day belongs. Not wholly so, however;
for there are theological and ecclesi-
astical dissidents from this opinion;
for Sunday is not the Sabbath, and
some make one day a matter Of con-
science and some another.
But the state can properly take no
notice of these opinions 1t cannot
concern itself about the sancity Of one
day or another. The states Sunday is
not holy day, but a holiday. Never
theless, since there are those who wish
to treat it as holy day and not as a
holiday, certainly let them do so. They
will have no molestation. But the
freedom of conscience they insist on
must not be one sided thing. Most
persons will wish to enter the gates of
the fair on Sunday Some will not"
o.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE.