p. 16 | An Important Principle by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 2, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 26.

An Important Principle.

By Editor

In a discussion of the contempt case in which it is involved, the Sacramento Bee recalls a principle—a great truth—to which we have often called attention:—

“A wrong to the constitutional rights of one individual, however humble, is a blow at the rights of all, and must in self-protection be treated as such.”

And this principle is just as true and applicable in religious legislation and judicial decision as in the case in question. When one man’s religious liberty is infringed upon, a blow is struck at the religious liberty of every other man. But in many states it has been thought by courts that this principle did not cover Sunday-law persecution. Freedom of the press may be set aside, as freedom of conscience has been.