Who will Circulate It?
By Editor
A RESIDENT of Oakland, on reading our Address prepared for the Republican Convention, remarked: “The Democrats will take that and circulate it.” Our reply was: “Perhaps they will, but it was not written for that purpose. If the Republicans had even recognized our reasonable request, it would have taken it out of the hands of the Democrats.” We do not, and will not, identify ourselves with any political party. We distinctly said to delegates at the Convention in Sacramento, that we would not promise the vote of any man. We had not asked a single person how he would vote. We were not there as a politician, but to represent a principle of justice and religious right. We hoped that that convention would at least show such tolerance of those who keep “the Sabbath day according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56), as to recommend the exemption from Sunday penalties which is granted in most other States. But the committee which prepared the platform understood the pressure which had been brought to bear on the party better than we. They no doubt apprehended the result of acceding to our request. When we saw the manifestation over the reading of the Sunday plank, we were at once convinced that even the least favor shown to any who do not do homage to “the venerable day of the sun” would have been fatal to the resolution in that form. By fearing to do a simple act of justice they threw the whole matter into the hands of the Democrats. We stand upon religious rights. They adopt the church festival as a part of their political code without the least show of favor to dissenting Christians. We think they erred, and erred to their own injury. There is a principle involved in this controversy which politicians fail to appreciate. We are earnestly desirous that this principle shall be clearly set forth to all the citizens of the State. We are now calling upon our brethren and friends to assist us in its circulation. If others see fit to circulate it, that is no matter of ours. We honestly prepared the address for the sole purpose of influencing the action of the Republican Convention, and hoping that, through their delegates, it might go into every county in the State. We failed in our effort. Now the Republicans have given their political opponents the advantage in respect to the recognition of this principle, which we know is right. They have no reason to blame us.