under obligation, in order to secure God's blessing, to keep all his commandments contained in the Bible; among which is, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." And does any one believe, that they could have been induced, as legislators, to require labor on the Lord's day? And can it be, that your assembly will consent, that national sanction and national law shall longer exist to encourage and compel its profanation, and thereby become partakers in the guilt of those who enacted it, as well as of those bodies which have since legislated here, and consented to the practice which renders this nation justly obnoxious to the divine displeasure? Is Congress willing that their constituents and the world should know that they refuse to repeal an act requiring labor on Sunday, when nearly all the States in this Union, and every Christian nation on the globe, so far as I know, when they have said any thing on the subject, have forbidden it? Certain I am, that the late King and present Queen of England, in their royal proclamations, put much stress on that day, and required its strict observance.

Are not the voice and example of great and good men, and the language and spirit of the Constitution, sufficient to justify and encourage the repeal of the clause here complained of? It is hoped they are; and it is thought that most of the good citizens of this country believe the SABBATH ESSENTIAL TO NATIONAL PROSPERITY. At the time of the report, in 1830, in favor of labor in the mail department on Sunday, ninety-three in the House were in favor of printing ten thousand copies of it, and sixtyseven against it. Mr. McCreery, one of the committee, presented his written opinion in favor of granting the request of the petitioners. And the report of Mr. McKean, of a committee of the House on Sunday mail petitions, made the year before, recommends the repeal of so much of the law as requires labor on Sunday. All which shows that the Sabbath had not then lost all its friends. Permit me to make a few

Extracts from Mr. McKean's Report.

"On the other branch of the case, that of Postmasters being compelled by law to open their offices and deliver letters, newspapers, &c., on the Sabbath, this committee believe it is not absolutely necessary for the successful transaction of any branch of

business. It has been suggested, and it is believed, that the most disorder is occasioned by a class of individuals, not of business habits, and who seldom receive letters by mail, who, having leisure on the Sabbath, resort to the Postoffice to hear the news and for pastime.

"If, as is believed, the House will concur with the committee in opinion that no restraint ought to be imposed on the consciences of individuals by the force of human law, it will present an absurdity, if we permit to remain among our legislative acts, an express provision requiring a portion of our citizens to perform certain duties on the Sabbath, which they conscientiously believe to be morally wrong.

"The committee cannot see why it would not be equally proper to require by law, our courts of justice to sit on the Sabbath; and that executive and legislative duties should be performed on that day? Would such a law be deemed reasonable? Would the people approve of it, when it might drive from the public service many of the ablest and most useful officers, who would relinquish their stations rather than violate their consciences?

"The committee conceive that all such cases should be regulated by public opinion, and controlled by emergencies, without any positive legal injunction. It is believed that the statute books contain no provision, except in the instance of Postmasters, requiring the performance of official duty on the Sabbath.

"In conclusion, the committee earnestly recommend the repeal of so much of the 11th section of the Postoffice law of March, 1825, [the same as in 1810,] as requires Postmasters to deliver letters, newspapers, &c. on the Sabbath."

Hon. John McLean, then Postmaster-General, in answer to inquiries made by said committee, says :-"It is believed that the revenue of the department would not be lessened, to any considerable amount, if no letters or newspapers, &c., were delivered at the different Postoffices on the Sabbath."

Whether the revenue would be lessened or not, by the performance of such acts on Sunday, should not be a matter of inquiry; for all moneys thus obtained would come to this nation

at a premium higher than it would be justified in paying. It is the principle of compelling labor, by a national law, on that day, contrary to the law of God, that is complained of.

It is supposed that these opinions are entertained by most true patriots and sound politicians, whether believers in the Christian religion or not. I once heard an unbeliever express this sentiment, viz: "The appropriate religious exercises of the Sabbath, in republics, are the mainspring of sobriety, intelligence, morality, and true patriotism; and, though I do not believe in the Bible, I never wish to see the Sabbath abolished." But if this nation continue to require labor on Sunday, it surely will be abolished, or its legitimate influence on the people will be lost. Example, in high places, is not only contagious, but often, to all intents and purposes, becomes law.

The

It is sometimes said that the Sabbath is not essential to intelligence, peace, morality, and republican institutions. It will be admitted that it is not so essential where despotism holds the rod of iron over the people. Where physical force, not reason, governs, there ignorance may be in a measure controlled. main pillars which support the thrones of the despot and the proud monarch, are their will, aided by physical strength. But not so with republics. They must be founded on intelligence, and controlled by reason and argument. Republics cannot govern ignorance, because the means used are not adapted to such an end. Now, when it is said that the strict religious observance of the Sabbath is essential to intelligence, peace, morality, and republican institutions; the eye is fixed on this great, enterprising, and prosperous nation, whose only law is the will of the people, not of a despot; and the truths, that ignorance, clothed in her mantle of intemperance, immorality, and sloth, cannot guide this mighty ship over the trackless, restless sea upon which she is launched; that an immoral community cannot be an intelligent and peaceful community; and that the appropriate exercises of the Sabbath, such as devout reading, and the faithful preaching of the Gospel, are the greatest incitements to a peaceful, industrious, temperate, moral, and sober life. Therefore, it is said, without a Sabbath duly observed, this nation cannot long continue independent, prosperous, and happy.

Where, in the whole universe, is there to be found an instrument favoring these objects so benignly as the too often neglected and despised Sabbath? And who cannot see that every abridgment of its legitimate influence is weakening the foundation, not only of our religion, but of our republican institutions? All history shows that the Sabbath, wherever it has been duly observed, has proved an invaluable blessing to the people. Observation, and the experience of good men, loudly proclaim the same fact. Then, how can any lover of his country lend his influence to desecrate that day, or withhold that influence to prevent its further desecration?

Save this country from an ignorant, Sabbath-breaking community. And, in order to do this, the clause referred to must be repealed.

Only a few facts will be referred to, to show that we are a Sabbath-breaking people, for they cannot have escaped the notice of any of the gentlemen composing this honorable body. They are seen, as often as the day returns, in every stage and Postoffice; in every steam and canal boat; in every rail-car and omnibus; in every place of public resort, and in most houses kept for the entertainment of travelers. And this practice is not confined to one section of our country, nor to one class of her citizens; but some of all classes and grades of society participate in the immorality. Even this beautiful city exhibits painful evidence of the truth of what has been said; and the evil is by no means confined to the citizens or private individuals temporarily residing here. It is seen in high places; and its contaminating influence circulates through every artery of this great nation, filling with pain and sorrow the heart of those who sincerely love their country, and that kingdom which Jesus Christ came into the world to establish.

What patriot or Christian can look upon these millions of Sabbath-breakers, scattered as they are all over the land, mingling with every family, and leaving the polluting leaven wherever they go, without washing his own hands of the sin, and calling upon every man, woman, and child to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy?" And in view of these facts and considerations, is there a single member of the twenty-fifth Congress

who will raise his voice against granting the prayer of this petition?

Law to be Repealed.

The whole section reads as follows:-" And be it further enacted, That every Postmaster shall keep an office, in which one or more persons shall attend on every day on which a mail, or bag, or other packet, or parcel of letters shall arrive by land or water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the PostmasterGeneral shall direct, for the purpose of performing the duties thereof; and it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on demand, any letter, paper, or packet to the person entitled to or authorized to receive the same," &c.

I do not think any of this part of the law necessary; for, if a deputy Postmaster will not obey the instructions of the Postmaster-General, he can be removed, and one appointed who will. The former part of this section would be well enough, provided the Postmaster-General would not require, nor encourage labor on Sunday. But these words, "and it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on demand, any letter, paper, or packet to the person entitled to or authorized to receive the same," ought, without delay, to be repealed. It is requiring them to do what they, probably, for the present at least, would not do were this clause repealed; and what is against the laws of many of the states, and the law of God, if not against the Constitution of the United States.

It should be particularly observed that this clause does not touch the carrying and changing the mail. It relates only to the delivery of letters, papers, &c., at the different Postoffices. And your petitioner does not ask Congress to forbid the delivery of letters, papers, &c., on Sunday; or to say any thing about it. Congress, in this section, says, every Postmaster shall keep an office, attend on every day on which a mail-bag, &c., shall arrive, by land or water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the Postmaster-General shall direct, for the purpose of performing the duties thereof, viz: the delivery of letters, &c., as well as