Some Reasons Why We Protest Against the Johnston Sunday Bill for the District of Columbia
By K. C. R.
BECAUSE it is a religious measure, and therefore contrary to the First Amendment to the Constitution, which says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Because the Sabbath is a religious institution, and therefore any law requiring its observance would be a religious law, just as truly as would a law requiring that all citizens should be baptized, celebrate the holy communion, or repeat the Lord’s prayer. Because it prohibits the doing on Sunday of work which is strictly proper and legitimate on other days of the week. Because nearly every religious association in the country is pressing this matter, in order to secure the enforcement of a religious observance. Because it makes the performance of legitimate and honest toil a criminal offense if performed on Sunday, and therefore makes honest and upright citizens appear as criminals. Because if such laws were required to preserve the quiet of Sunday, they would be unnecessary in the District of20Columbia; for it is conceded by our best citizens that Sunday is observed better in Washington than in any other city in the country. Because by enacting such legislation, Congress would be departing from its noble record of one hundred years’ refusal to be committed to such religious legislation. Because to pass such a law would be taking a long step backward toward the days of religious intolerance; for religious intolerance begins with the passing of religious ordinances by the civil power. Because, in enacting a Sunday law, Congress would be attempting to settle a religious controversy between different sects of religionists; for on one side of the question are those religionists who observe Sunday as the Sabbath, and are appealing strongly for a law to enforce their ideas of proper Sabbath-keeping, while on the other side is another class of religious people vigorously protesting against Congress interfering in the matter in any way whatsoever. Because for Congress to enact a Sunday law would be for it to decide a religious controversy by majority vote; while in matters of conscience the question of minority and majority can not enter. Because for Congress to enact a Sunday law would be to levy a tax of one-seventh part of one’s time for the support of a religious institution. Because the demand that Congress shall pass a District Sunday law is not a mere local matter, nor does it concern simply the people of the District of Columbia. It is of national significance, and concerns the people of the whole nation. Because the clause which exempts observers of another day from the provisions of the proposed law, also proves the measure religious, inasmuch as those who are exempted are exempted on religious grounds. Because of these and many other reasons which might be stated, we earnestly protest against the passage of Senate Bill No. 237.
K. C. R.