Indiana Palladium, Volume 5, Number 6, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 14 February 1829 — Page 1

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EQUALITY OF RIGHTS IS NATURE'S PLAN AND FOLLOWING NATURE IS THE MARCH OF MAN. Barlow. Volume V. LAWRENCEBURGII, INDIANA; SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1829. Number 6.

BY AUTHORITY,

LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES PASSED AT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS. Public, No. G. AN ACT to amend an act entitled "An act for the better organization of the Medico! Department of the Navy," approred 24th 'Be it enacted by the Senate and House oj Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 1 hat every Surgeon who was in the Navy, at the time of the passage of the act for the hetter organization ol the Medical Department of the Navy approved twenty-fourth of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, shall be entitled to the additional pay and ration? (according to length of service) provided for hy the fourth section of that act, notwithstanding such Surgeons may not have been examined, or received their appointments in the manner prescribed by the first section thereof. ANDREW STEVENSON, Speaker of the House of Representatives JOHN C. CALHOUN, Vice-President of the United States, and President of Seuate. Approved, 21st January, 18L29. JOHN QUINCV ADAMS. Public, No. 7. AN ACT for altering the times far holding the sessions of tt Circuit Court of the U. States for th District of Georgia, at the places provided by law. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Slates of America in Congress assembled That lite sixth Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Georgia, which is by law appointed to be holden on the fourth Monday in November, annually, at Sa vannah, in the said State, shall hereafter be holden on the Thursday after the fii -t Monday in November, annually, at Mil ledville, in the said State; and" that the session of the said Court vvhich is no v required by law to be hoi len on the sixth day of May annually, at Milled g ?vilo, ii; the said State, shall hereafter be holder on the Thursday after the rirst Monday in May annually, at Savannah, in the said State; and that all process, which shall have been issued, and all reconizances returnable, and all -mils and other proceedings, which have been continued to the said Courts respectively, on the days, and at the places heretofore provided bylaw forG their meeting, shall be returned, and held to be continued to the said Courts, at the times and places herein provided for the meeting of the said Courts respectively. Approved, 21st January, 1C29. Public, No. 8. AN ACT to allow a salary to she Marshal of the Eastern District cf Virginia. Be it enacted by the Senate and Hmsc of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. Thar

the sum of two hundred dollars be. an:liLeis: lure' and tney hall be commis-

thesame hereby is, allowed, annually, as? a salary to the Marshal of the Eastern District of Virginia. Approved, 2 1st January, 1829. Public, No. 9. AN ACT tfl establish a Port of Entry at Mag. nolia, in Frorida. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled That all

the ports, harbors, shores, and waters, ofiIouse 0j Representatives and the Legis-j

the main land of Florida, and of the islands opposite and nearest thereto, ex tending from Ocklockney bay to Char ' . I lotte harbour, be, and they are hereby, established a Collection District, bv the name of the St. Mark's District: and a port of entry shall be established at . Magnolia for said District, and a Collec - tor shall be appointed, who shall give the same bond, perform the same duties, and be entitled to the same compensation and fees, as the Collectors of the other Districts in. Florida. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all that part of Florida, between the St. Mary's and St. John's river, shall be annexed to, and made a part of, the Collection District of St. Augustine. Approved, 21st January, 1829. Public, No. 10. AN ACT allowing an additional drawback on sugqr refined in. the United States, and ex parted therefrom. Be it enacted by the. Senate and House of IirprcsentaUves of the United states ot America, in Congress assembled, That, from and after the passage of this act, there shall be allowed a drawback on

sugar refined in the United Slates, and

exported therefrom of five cents per pound, in lieu of the drawback at present allowed by law on sugar so refined and exported: Provided, That this act shall not alter or repeal any Jaw now in force regu'ating the exportation of sugar refined in the United States, except to change the rale of drawback when so exported: And provided, That this act shall cease to be in force so soon as the exports of sugar shall he equal to the imports of the same article. Approved, 21st January, 1829. Purlic, No. 1 1. AN ACT in addition to the act entitled uAn act to amend the judicial system of the U. States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House rf Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That if, at any session of the Supreme Court, four Justices thereof shall not attend on the diy appointed for holding said session, such Justice or Justices as mp.y attend shall have authority to adjourn said Court from day to day, for twenty days after he time appointed for the commencement of said session, unless four Ju?nces shall sooner attend; and the business of said Court shall not, in such case, be continued over to the next stated session thereof, until the expiration of Mid twenty days, instead of the ten daynew limited by law Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if it s'.iall so happen, during any term of tne -am supreme iourt, alter Jour ot the Judges shall have assembled, that, on ay day, loss than the number of four shall assemble, the Judge or Judges so assembling shall have authority to ad journ said Court from day today until a quorum shall attend, and. when expedient and proper, may adjourn the same without day. Approved, 21st January, 1G29. Public, No. 12. VN ACT to authorize ihe l.it'Z'ns of the Territories of Arkarsss and Florida to elect their OlnVf?r3, &nd for other purposes. Be it enuted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the citizens of the Territory of Arkansas, qualuicd to vote, shall and may , at such time and place, and under such rules and regulations, as the Legislature of said Territory may piescribe, elect their Officers, Civil and Military, except such as, by the laws of Congress now in f rce, are to be appointed by the President of the United btates;and except, also, Justices of the Peace. Auditor and Treasurer for said Territory, who shall be chosen hy joint vote of both Houses of the Legislature, at such time, and for such term of service, as the said Legislature shall prescribe. Sec. 2. And be it farther enacted, That the term of service, and the duties and powers, fees, and emoluments, of the Officers Civil and Military, so chosen by the citizens, shall be prescribed by the - lored b' tlie Governor of the Territory, and subject to be removed from office in such mode and for such cause as the Le gislature shall declare by law. All laws now in force, inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby repeal! ed. 1 his act shall take effect from ar.d' after the first' day of December, one' thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. Sec. 3. And he it further enacted Fie-i. every biil that shall have passed th lauve council ot tlie legislature ot the: i it. i. 1 1 i i i i erruory, snan, oeiore it oecome a law.!

De presented t;. theUovernor ot said I er-jtbi nation, on the subject of the Sabbath ritory;if he approve, he shall sis;n it, butidav ; and our government is designed

if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that House in which it shall haye originated, who shll enter the oh-! jections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it: If, after such! re-consideration, two-thirds of that! House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent with the objections to the other House, by which it shall likewise be re-considered, and, if approved by

two-thirds of that House, it shall become nation of christians among us, justly cea law. But in all such cases, the votes', lebrated for their piety, and certainly as

oi DOtn Houses ot the Legislature shall good citizens as any other class, agree be determined by yeas and nays, and the with the Jews in the moral obligation of names of the persons voting for andjthe Sabbath, and observe the same day.

against the bill shall be entered on the journal, of each House respectively: Ana n any bill shall not be returned by the Governor within three days (Sunday excepted) after it shall Iv been presented, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law ,

Sec. 4. Andbeit further enacted. That

it shall he lawful for the qualified voters of the Territory of Florida to elect their Officers, Civil and Military, in such manner, and under such rules, regulations, restrictions, and conditions, as are prescribed in the foregoing provisions in the two first sections of this act. Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the members of the Legislative Council, in the Territory of Florida, shall be elected by the qualified voters in the res ptelive counties hereinafter designated, at the time provided by law, in the following manner, to wit: From the county j of Escambia, two members: from the counties of Walton and Washington, one member; from the county of Jackson, two members; from the county of Gads den, two members; from the county of Leor two members; from the counties of Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, one member; from the county of Alachua, one member; from the county of DuVhl, one; from the county of Nassau, one; from the counties of Saint Johns and Musqueto, two; and from the county of Monroe, one member. And any act of Congress, or of the Legislative Council of said Territory, defining the limits of election districts in the same, inconsistent with the foregoing provision, be, and they are hereby, repealed. Six. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the Governor and Legislative Council, at any time hereafter, to alter or arrange the districts in uch manner as to secure, as near as may he, an equality of representation in each district. Sec 7. And h it further en ncted, That the act of the Governor and Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, fixing thereat of justice of Jackson county, in said Territory, he, and the same is hereby, annulled ; and the people and local authorities of said county shall have the privilege of selecting their county seat, in such manner as other counties have been authorized to do, un der the laws of said Territory. Approved, 21st January, 1C29. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. January 19, 1029. MR. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, made tit following report: thr Committee to whom wnf referred the sever' petitions on the subject of mails on the Sabbath, or the 1st day of the week, Report: That some respite is required from (he ordinary vocations of life, is an established principle, sanctioned bv the usages of all nations, whether Christian or Pagan. One day in seven has also been determined upon as the proportion of time; and in conformity with the wish es of the great majority of citizens of tnis country, the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, has been set apart for that object. The principle has received the sanction of the national legislature, so far as to admit a suspension of all public business on that day, except in cases of absolute necessity, or of great public utility. This principle, the committee would not wish to disturb. If kept within i ts legitimate sphere of action, no injury can result from its observance. It should, however, be kppt in mind, that the proper object of oven-rnent Hto protect all persons in tb enjoyment of their religious, as well :li rghf ; and not to determine for ;n whether they shall esteem one day vt another, or esteem all days alike h-dy-We are aware, that a varictv of sentiment exists among the good citizens of .. . , for the protection of oue, as much as for another. The Jews, who, in this coun try are as free as Christians, and entitled - to the same protection from the laws, derive their obligation to keen thp Sah bath day from the fourth commandment j of their decalogue, and in conformity with that injunction, pay religious horn age to the seventh day of the week, which we call Saturday. One denomi There are also many Christians among us, who derive not their obligation to ob serve the Sabbath from the decalogues, but regard the Jewish Sabbath as abrogated. From the example oj the Apostles of Christ, they have chosen the first day of the week, instead of that day set apatt in the decalogue,- for their reh firms riedraYNVcr Thoto har flfpnArahv regarded theobat'rfaft're'of 4$f

devotional exercise, and would not more?traints upon others. Passengers in the

readily enforce it upon others, than the would enforce eciet prayer or devout meditations. Urgi.-.g the fact, that neither their Lord nor his disciple6, though often censured by their accuser: for a violation of the Sabbath, ever eujoined its observance, they regard it as r. subject on which evtry perin shouiJ be( fully p-rsoaded in his own mind, and not! coerce others to act upon his persuasion. Many Christians again differ fr?n these, professing to derixe their oblige ion ti observe the Sabbath from the fourth commandment of the Jewish decalogu-, and bring the example .f the Apostles, who appear to have held their publit meetings for woiship on the first day of the week, as authority for so far changing the decalogue, as to suhii'ute t:r-u day for the seventh. The Jewish government was a theocracy, which enforced religious obei vaics ; and though, the committee would hope that no portion of the citizei.s of our country could willingly introduce a system of religions coercion in our civil institutions, the example of other nations should admonish us to watch carefully against its earliest indication. With these diiTerent religious views, the committee are of opinion that Congress cannot interfere. It is not the legitimate province of the legislature to determine what religion is true, or what false. Our government is a civil, anu not a religious institution. Our Constitution recognises in every person, the right to choose his own religion, and to enjoy it freely, without molestation. Whatever may be the religious senti ments of citizei.s, and however variant, they are alike entitled to protection from the government, so long as they dnot invade tne rights of others. The transposition of the mail on the first day of the week, it is believed, does not interfere with the rights of conscience. The petitioners lor its discontinuance appear to be actuated from a religious zeal, uhkh may be commend.tble if confined to lis pit p r sphere; but they assume a position heller suited to ;n ecclesiastical than a civil institution. They appear, in many instances, to lay it down as an axiom, that the practice is a violation of the Ihw of God. Should Congress, in their legislative capacity, adapt the sentiment, it would establish the principle, that the Legislature is a proper tribunal to deteimine what are the laws of G.ul. It would involve a legislative decision in a religious controversy; and on a point in which good citizens may honestly differ in opinion, without disturbing the peace of society, or endangering its liberties. If this principle is once introduced, it will be impossible to define its bounds. Among all the re!igiou persecutions with which almost every page of modern history is stained, no victim ever sutf red, but for the violation of what government denominated the law of God. To prevent a similar train of evils in thi?- country, the Constitution has wisely withheld from our government the power of defining the Divine Law. It is a right reserved to each citizen; and while tie respects the equal rights of others, he cannot beheld amenable to any human tribunal for his conclusions. Extensive religious combinations, to e fleet a political object, are "in the opinion of the committee-, always dangerous. The tirsl effort of ihe kind, calls for the i stablisbment of a principle, which, in ihe opinion of the committee,' would lay the foundation for dangerous innovations upon the spirit of the Constitution, and upon the religious rights of the citizens. If admitted, it may be justly apprehended, that the future measures of government will be strongly marked, if not eventually controlled, by the same influence. All religious despotism com mences by combination and influence; and when that influence begins to operate upon the political institutions of a country, the civil power soon bends under it; and the catastrophe of other nations furnishes an awful warning of the consequence. Uuder the present regulations of the Post Othce Department, the rights o! conscience are not invaded. Every agent enters voluntarily, and it is presumed conscientiously, into the discharge of his duties, without intermeddling with the conscience of another. Post Offices are so regulated, as that bat a small pro portion ot the first day of the week is required to be occupied inofficial business. In the transportation of the mil on that day, no one agent is employed many hours. Religious persons enter into the business without violating their rf - n consciences, or imposing any re

mail stages are free to rest during the

first day of the week, or to pursue their journeys at their own pleasure. While Hie mail is transported on Saturday, the Jew and the Sabbatarian may abstain from any agency in carrying it, from Cunscieti&ou scruples. While it is transJ ported on the first day of the week, another class may abstain, from the same religious scruples. The obligation ot government is the same to both of these classes; and the committee can discover' oj principle on which the claims of one should be more respected than those of ihe other, unless it should be admitted that the consciences of the minority are less sacred than those of the majority. It i the opinion of the committee) thafr he subject should be regarded simply as a question of expediency irrespective A its religious bearing. !. ihfs light, it has hitherto been considered. Congress have never legislated upon the subject, li rests, as it ever has done, in the lega! discretion of the Postmaster General, under the repeated refusals of Congress to discontinue the Sabbath mails. His knowledge and judgment in all the con4 ferns of that department," will not be 'questioned. His intense labors and as.suluiiy have resulted in the highest improvement of every branch of his department, h is practised only on the gieat leading mml routes, and such others aa .i.e neccasary o oiaintaia their Conner ions. To pi event this, would, in the opinion of the committee, be productive of immense injury, both in its Commercial, political, aud in its moral bearings. The various departments of government require, frequently in peace, always in war, the speediest intercourse with the remotest parts cf the country; and one important or ject of the mail establishment is, to tarnish the greatest and most economical facilities iv,r sucb intervv urse. The delay of the mails one whole day in seven, would require the employment of special expresses, at great expert, d sometimes with great uncertainty. The commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of our country are fo intimately connected, as to require a constant ar d the m st expeditious correspondence btiwixt all our sea-ports, and betwixt i'.rm and the most interior settlements. The delay of the mails during the Sunday, would ive occasion to the employment of private expresses, ta such an amount, that probably ten riders would be employed where one mail stage is now running on that da ; thus diverting the revenue of that department into another channel, and sinking the establishment into a state of pusillanimity incompatible with the dignity of the government ot which it is a department. Passengers in the mail stages,' if the mails art' not permitted to proceed on Sunday, wilt he expected to spend that day at a tavern upon the road, generally under circumstances not friendly to devotion, and at an expense which many are but poorly ;-ble to encounter. To obviate these difficulties, manv will em ploy extra Carriages for their conveyance, and become the bearers of correspondence, as more expeditious than the mail. The stage proprietors will them selves otten furnish the travellers with those means of conveyance; so that the effect will ultimately be only to stop the mail, while the vehicle which conveys it will continue, and its passengers become the special messengers for conveying a considerable proportion of what would otherwise constitute the contenU of the mail. Nor can the committee discover where the system could consistently end. If the observance of a boIIV becomes incorporated in our institur, shr) we not forbid the movement oV 'armyj prohibit an assault in time of war; and lay an injunction upon our naval officers to lie in the wind while upon the ocean on that day? Consistency would see rh to require it. Nor is it certain that we should stop here. If the principle is once established, that religion, or religious observances, shall be interwoven with our legislative acts", we must pursue it to its ultimatum. vYe shall, if consistent, provir- for the erection oi edifices for the worship of the Creator, and for the support of Christian minister if we believe such measures will promote the interest of Christianity. It is the settled conviction of the comtHittee, that the only method of avoiding these consequences", with their attendant train of evils, is to adhere strictly to the spirit of the Constitution, w hich regards the general government in r.o other light than that of a civil institution, wholly destitute of religious authority.