Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-29
LETTERS ON timely TOPICS

committee look in vain TO 'hat inStTu-
ment for q dele CATION of power at-
thorizing this body TO inquire and de-
termine what part of time, Or whether
any, has been set apart by tae Al.
mighty for religious exercises. On the
contrary, among the few prohibitions
which il contains is one thar prohibits
a religious test, and another which
declares that Congress shall pass no
law respecting the establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exer-
else thereof"
These noble men could see then ESQ
! years ago. the ridiculous and obnox-
ions results that such usurpation OF
! their limited delegated constitutional
powers would bring should they step
outside of their sphere of duty.
| I trust that both our representa-
ftires and senator's will be led by such
noble American principles, giving true
Christian liberty TO all. Should this
happen, the experience of last We'd
| pesday. Mar 10, 1918, discussing the
lopening of barbershops in Honolulu
would not be repeated. AS it was seen
i in this meeting these BARRIERS have
different ways of securing their pur-
isuit Of happiness on Sunday, and all
! of these they could enjoy, with the
protection and sanction of our con-
stitution. However, the way they ex-
pressed themselves it seems to me
! that they were led by either des-
lpotic2 or selfish motive, or else a de-
| ficiency of moral stamina. Their ex-
pressions showed clearly that they
could not go to church and be at
peace there, or enjoy the company of
their dear ones, or be out playing and
fishing, unless their brother barber
tcould be kept from shaving and hair
cutting.
Apparently it would not affect them
as much should he be in the yilest
place he pleased, doing anything he
chose. But the choice to be in hiS
shop, using his hands and tools in a
quiet and lawful service they could
not stand. The civil sword must be
welded
This is more than ridiculous and
should not be tolerated under gov
eminent that has the noblest and most
sublime of all earthly constitutions,
/ This measure of Sunday legislation
has been adopted, and as these men
prophesied in 1929 will be difficult
for human sagacity Co foresoo how
rapid would be the succession, or how
numerous the train of measures which
follow, involving the dearest rights of
all, the right of conscience"
The idea of so-called American
government sanctioning and protect
/ ing rich companies in the operation of
their big, noisy steamers, engines,
trains, streetcars, ETC., and arresting
quiet, noiseless barber, in the dis
charge of his honorable occupation.
This is anything but equality and
justice.
Should this Sunday law remain in
our statutes, it will be a weapon in
the hands of any despotic bigot or ma
licious person, to be used at his will
against any one, as his caprice may
dictate-as it has already happened
in Honolulu. Consistency would de-
mand that we be either Pagan, ador-
ing and worshipping their god, the
sun, performing their indecent and
immoral ceremonies on the right day,
Sunday; or else be Jewish, stopping
all traffic on their day, Saturday, pun
fishing all infractors, even those who
might be found gathering kindling-
wood.
However, we better be Americans,
listening to what "the Father of His
Country" had to say; when the same
despotic and selfish element caused
the arrest of few men that dared be
Americans by following their inalien-
/ able rights in worshipping God ac-
cording to the dictates of their con-
sciences Please read the following
as copied from the San Francisco Ex-
aminer, entitled Washington Versus
Sunday Laws:
The following letter was written by
George Washington, when president
of the United States, in answer to a
letter from a Seventh-Day Baptist so
ciety; some of the members of which
had been fined and imprisoned for la
boring, on Sunday. They wished TO
know if he, as president of the. con-
vention that framed the constitution
of the United States, understood that
instrument warrant any such inter-
ference with their religious freedom
and rights of conscience The letter
is dated August 4, 1889, and reads as
follows:
If | had the least idea of any diff
Guilty resulting from the constitution
adopted by the convention of which ]
had the honor to be president, when
it was formed, SO as to endanger the
rights of any religious denomination
then | never should have attached my
name to that instrument. If ! had
any idea that the general government
was so administered that liberty oil
conscience was endangered, pray you
be assured that no mean would be
more willing than myself to revise
and alter that part Of it, so as to avoid
religious persecution. You can, with
out doubt, remember that have often
expressed my opinion that every man
who conducts himself as good citi,
zen is accountable alone to God toI
his religious faith, and should be pro-