Year: 1859

DlIlAy oe u sulJecl OF agitation III our beSls


ature, again this winter Now, my views
upon this subject. am well aware will not
meet with public appreciation; yet | can see
no good reason why l should not have an
equal privilege with those who entertain an
opposite opinion, in proffering my conscien-
cious conviction to the public, as anomalous
rs it is. A free discussion of all sui jects in.
volving the interests of the human family,
is one of the blessings arising from repub-
lican form Of government. Why a Sunday
law would be obnoxious is not confined to a
reason, but reasons. A law prescribing any
ones religious course, sentiments or duty-l
care not where it cxists-is an emanation
from minds imbued and lost in the inextrca-
Ole labyrinths Of superstition, instead of an
enlightened comprehension of the wants,
desires and degree of tolerance of the age in
which we figure. Such law is faint glim.
mering relic of by-gone days, when priest.
craft held its dark and iniquitous sway, as
the extensive figuring of the gibbet, broad
axe, and various other death-tortrring instru-
ments, in ancient history, abundantly testify.
Who is not fool enough to know that the
~ery spirit that would prompt such law,
would, had it the power, force every man,
woman and child to attend church three
times every Sunday, and contribute every
copper of their hard earnings TO that institu.
tion, under penalty of death? You say there
is no danger Of their obtaining that power
again; very well, what of thot2 That does
not alter the spirit; and as they showed us
no mercy when they had the ascendancy now
that we possess that desirable occupancy, let
US exercise our privilege. Again such a law
Is antagonistic to the golden rule, do unto
others as you would they should do unto
sou" Our very constitution is standing
lnSitation to the oppressed and exiled of
every land. to come to our peaceful shores
and enjoy the liberty Of en- honest conviction.
Is it, then, lbern), is it just. is it right, when
they land here, to rob them of that dearest
privilege the deprivation of which drove our
forefathers from the cherished scenes of their
childhood. and forced them to seek an asylum
on the then bleak, savage and inhospitable
dominions of the North American continent
And is not an act which enforces them to oh
serve another day than that which they were
taught to be right, for devotional purposes
equivalent to such deprivation | will ven
ture the assertion-and will hold myself in
readiness to prove my grounds corrcct-that
no such man-in the strict sense of That word
will acknowledge the admissibility of leg
islation upon the subject Of religion. What
man living, is there. who would be willing
to assume the awful responsiveness of guild
ing the eternal veal or woe of even one
precious soul? No person can positively say
i care not how strong he may be in his
faith-that he k'lo'os the process that will
lead him to the happiest state in future ex-
istence Then, is it rot deplorable for lis to
prescribe the religion of our fellow men?


My own conviction is that there is no one
day any better than another; no sin should
be committed on Saturday with the expecta
tion of its being atoned for on Sunday. 1t is
my serious impression that we should rei-
giously observe every day of the week and
the very custom of doing otherwise exerts a
banefui influence upon hecommunity. 1t is
an incontrovertible fact, which all free think
ing, unbiased, observing people must have
noticed that there is kind Of an opinion
obtains with the most ultra sticklers for one
day worship out of seven, that it matters but
comparatively little what their conduct is
six days out of the week, as they can pray
it all right on the seventh. Now, do not
assert that this is universally the case, but
do know from observation that it is too often
so whereas that class Of persons who DO not
expect any miraculous delverance from their
is through overcoming evil Nth good more
judiciously govern their conduct every day
and all the time. Our conduct should be just,
upright and honorable every moment of our
lives, or in other language, we should expect
to accomplish less by praying. and more by
acting But, thousands upon thousands think
otherwise, and each and every one has the
same right to his or her belief that have to
mine 1t is virtually certain that we cannot
legislate upon the subject and do jussice to
all our fellow men in this State. unless we
pass law enforcing religious ob-ervOncc
of seven days out the week; because Sat
urday is the sacred day with the Jews; Sun
day with the Christians; Monday with the
Greeks; Tuesday with the Persians; Wednes-
day with the Assyrians; Thursday with the
Egyptians; and Friday with the Turks. and
wouldn't that place us in pretty dilemma ?


You viii remember that l informed you in
my last that we had been visited with
long rain, and that water was plenty Well,
last Monday there commenced very warm
snow storm, and it continued falling until it
succeeded in shOwering down two feet and
half of that element on natures uneouth sur
face; and the consequence is that we have
plenty of water, and not doubt exists but
that we shall have al winter The ground
is thoroughly drenched with water, and our
only fears were that it would turn cold and
freeze hard before mother ePrth received her
final winter robe. All fears are now dis
persod for the present snow will unques-
tionably remain with us until next spring ,
and the earth is not frozen the least atom,
and the bitches are oil full of water Glori.
Gus, isn't itH Tomorrow night the great
wagon road meeting comes off at La Porte
theobiect Of which is to take into consideration
~ f....IIo ,,athoI oc -