Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-17
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- ~. Ed,tor Of tho Telegraph /:

deserving OF u conSluetaion III keep
ing with higher ideals than an at
tempt to commercialize the oppor-
tunity for any purpose other than a
liberal one. A liberal criticism on
the true performance of duty, show
ing both beauties and faults is to be
encouraged, as in that way appre-
citation for the good can be shown
and frequently q suggestion that
NAV tend to alter a bad one is pro-
duced.
one of the things to be regarded
by both sides is the fact that their
opponents are justly entitled to an
expression of their honest convic-
tions. The fact that two men dis
gree does not necessarily imply
that either of them is bad man.
If all the mechanical ingenuity of
the universe will not make two
clocks run exactly the same, how
can we expect all of the millions of
men to think alike.
In one evenings issue of your pa
per some one signing AN Old Vet
eran" takes advantage or the op-
portunity 10 give vent to his feel-
he has never read the Old Blue
Laws, or the House Bill No. "a.
him and makes at least 10 per cent.
of the good people of this Common
wealth ineligible to citizenship. lie
states that he is literally astonish-
ed" from which we infer that he is
a literalist- -adhering to the letter
and exact word, so as q measure OF
insuring him domestic tranquility
suggest that he does not read Il
Timothy ILL, and for the protec-
ton of the morals of his neghpor-
hood that he pass the entire BOOK
OF Deuteronomy.
According to this mans ideas
less than 25 per cent. of the people
are Christians, have neither respect
for either man or God and unit to
be citizens. knowing that the large
majority have too much respect tor
the enlightened age in which they
live, to even laugh at, let alone con-
slider this seriously, makes further
comment unnecessary. His refer
ences to Wide Open Sundays" PA
triots who love the nation etc. er-
veal Inconsistencies, either pelylng
or disregarding the sincerity OF his
pupose. AS a means of fairness to
himself will AN old Veteran" get
COPY of both Blue Laws and Bill
the benefit of Young Americans.
Then write another letter-One of
vindication.
An Old Veteran is not the only
one and il is truly a most unfor-
tunate condition, when men, whom
the world looks too for moral gufd-
ance, unconsciously. or unscrupu-
lously betray the very purpose of
their mission, by showing any other
than n spirit of fairness. The fol-
lowing are but a few examples:
A minister of this city chooses to
call the sponsor of House Bill No.
"a IAN unprincipled legislator" In
all probability he, does not know
the address, let alone the reputation
of the accused. In any event he
should bear in mind that character
assassination is no longer consider
ed one of the fine arts, or as an IN
strument for spiritual upbuilding
work as it has long since been plac-
ed on the list of nonessentials.
Another minister prints a church
advertisement headed: Remember
the Sabbath Day and Keep 1t Holy
This reference was made to the Sew
enth day, the original day of rest
and not the Sabbath which we OBJ
serve in the commemoration of the
Resurrection of Jesus, so why not
be consistent and employ quotations
from the wonderful teachings of
Christ-"Man was not made for the
Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man"
or THE Son of Man is not come
to destroy life'-or any of the many
others which are consistent with the
issue. He also refers to "A Wide
Open Sunday" which is not in the
least implied in the bill in ques-
ton. Is it no longer essential that
there be consistency between
things relating to the same subject.
What is wrong with this minister
getting a copy of both the Blue
Laws and the bill and read them
to his congregation. In every other
instance texts are supported with
quotations, so if there be any holy
inspiration in the Blue Laws. it is
only justice to employ them. Simply
using anything that will fit in is
not a logical manner of argument.
We are also told by $50 ministers
of our city that the Blue Laws ARE
necessary to provide pillars for the
church of the future" Is the church
to he supported by men who are not
Christians because they want to be,
but because there is law that
makes them be. Are we to believe
that God sin His infinite wisdom will
be unable to discern between the
I
true a quicker method, that of a
hypodermic of a theological toxin
What is to be our conception of
omnisciency. omnipotency and omni-
presence. No greater injustice to
God can be done than in attributing
to him the shortcomings of men.
Religion, when properly portray
ed is so beautiful as to make man
want for it. 1t is the cornerstone
of civilization, because, when truly
pictured teaches man to be civil unto
his fellow man and that is the
height of civilization. Certain kinds
of Billy Sunday evangelism have the
same relation to true religion that
q bull fight has to modern farming
methods
The Constitution of the United
States is one of the grandest and
| noblest documents ever conceived
| by men for the advancement and
protection of nation and is too
sacred an instrument to be found
! in the hands of those who attemp pt
| to disqualify others to citizenship,
simply because they express the in
| tegrity of their convictions. There
are a number of measures in this
grand document worthy of con-
sideration at all times.
No day is too good for man
| to be happy and happiness can come
alone through the things peculiar
to his individual desire. To laugh
on the Sabbath is not longer con-
sdered as an evidence of total de-
praVity," piety is no longer meas
urcd by degrees of sadness and the
sickest looking people are no long