Shackle Not the Press Оu, shackle free speech never, Nor make the press not free! Time brings to us no better gift, Nor can there better be. Impose on us no censor, All men will glad abide. To think, to speak, to publish, Our fathers came from far. No Power but Persuasion OUR Constitution recognizes no other power than that of persuasion, for enforcing religious observances. Let the professors of Christianity recommend their religion by deeds of benevolence, by Christian meekness, by lives of temperance and holiness. Let them combine their efforts to instruct the ignorant, to relieve the widow and the orphan, to promulgate to the world the gospel of their Saviour, recommending its precepts by their habitual example; government will find its legitimate object in protecting them. It cannot oppose them, and they will not need its aid. Their moral influence will then do infinitely more to advance the true interests of religion than any measure which they may call on Congress to enact. The petitioners [for the discontinuance of Sunday mails] do not complain of any infringement upon their own rights. They enjoy all that LIBERTY A Magazine of Religious Freedom Editor, Chas. S. Longacre Associate Editors, L. L. Caviness, C. E. Holmes Managing Editor, C. P. Bollman Entered as second-class matter May 1, 1906, at the post office in Washington, D. C., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Published quarterly by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C. PRICES, POSTPAID Christians ought to ask at the hands of any government-protection from a molestation in the exercise of their religious sentiments.- From report commanicated to the United States Senate b the Hon. Richard M. Johnson, of Ken tucky, chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, Jan. 19, 1829. Important Notice! To All Lovers of Liberty Please read carefully the "Petitions to Congress" on the opposite page and on the last page. Fill in the blank spaces, start the list with your own name, and secure as many other signatures as possible. If there are not enough lines on these petition blanks for signatures, paste one or more sheets of white paper at the bottom, after cutting the petitions out of the magazine. Send the petition applying to Bill S. 5677 to one of the Senators from your State; the other petition, against Bill H. R. 13778, should be sent to one of your Representatives in the House. In either case, the envelope should be addressed in care of the Capitol, Washington, D. C. Remember that this Extra can be secured at $1 a hundred and $8 a thousand copies. If you are in need of further information to assist you in prosecuting this work, address — Editor Liberty Magazine, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: Believing (1) In freedom of speech and of the press; (2) That Congress is prohibited by the First Amendment to the Constitution from enacting any law looking toward the abridgment of the freedom of the press; (3) That an abuse of its freedom should be subjected to jury trial before our courts; (4) That a censorship of one man is opposed to the best interests of the American Republic; and (5) That the first step to centralize absolute power in one man is pregnant with evil consequences, and should be vigorously opposed by every lover of liberty; therefore, We, the undersigned, adult residents of .... ., State of earnestly petition your Honorable Body not to pass the Bill (H. R. 13778) entitled, "A Bill Authorizing the Postmaster-General to exclude from the mails certain publications," or any other like measures that have been or shall be introduced. NAMES ADDRESSES For full text of this bill lock on the other side of this petition. (Over) PETITION TO CONGRESS To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: Believing (1) In the American principle of a complete separation of church and state; (2) That Congress is prohibited by the First Amendment to the Constitution from enacting any law enforcing "the proper observance" of any religious institution, or looking toward a union of church and state, or of religion and civil government; (3) That the "observance" of a religious institution is a form of worship, and that all “labor and worldly business" can only be forbidden for religious reasons; (4) That all such legislation is opposed to the best interests of both church and state; and (5) That all such legislation by Congress is dangerous, and should be opposed by every lover of liberty of conscience and the voluntary exercise of religion; therefore, We, the undersigned, adult residents of ...... State of earnestly petition your Honorable Body not to pass the Compulsory Sunday Observance Bill (S. 5677) entitled, "A Bill for the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest in the District of Columbia," or any other compulsory religious measures that have been or shall be introduced. Full Text of Proposed Bill to Restrict Freedom of Press 64th CONGRESS 1st Session Now Pending in the House of Representatives H. R. 13778 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 1916 Mr. Gallivan introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on the A BILL Authorizing the Postmaster-General to exclude from the mails certain publications Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Postmaster-General shall make the necessary rules and regulations to exclude from the mails those publications the avowed and deliberate purpose of which is to attack a recognized religion held by the citizens of the United States or any religious order to which citizens of the United States belong. Send petition to your Representative. Address: Hon...... House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. (Over) Full Text of Proposed Compulsory Sunday-Observance Law Now Pending in the United States Senate 64th CONGRESS, 1st Session S. 5677 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 20, 1916 Mr. Jones introduced the following bill, which was read twice and referred to the A BILL For the proper observance of Sunday 28 a day of rest in the District of Columbia Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this Act it shall be unlawful in the District of Columbia fer any person to labor or to employ any person to labor or to pursue any trade or worldly business on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, except in works of necessity or charity, and except also newspaper publishers and their employees, and except also public-service corporations and their employees in the necessary supplying of service to the people of the District, and also except those persons who are accustomed to observe regularly some other day of the week on which they refrain from doing what is herein prohibited on Sunday. In works of necessity or charity is included whatever is needed for the good order and health of the community. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or mynicipality, or any of their agents, directors, or officers, to require or permit any employees to work on the said day, excepting in household service, unless within the next succeeding six days during a period of twenty-four consecutive hours he or it shall neither require nor permit such employee to work in his er its employ. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall on conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $50 for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, and by imprisonment in the jail of the District of Columbia for a period of not less than one month nor more than three months, in the discretion of the court. Section 2. That all prosecutions for violations of this Act shall be in the police court of the District of Columbia and in the name of the District of Columbia. Send petition to your Senator. Address: Hon. United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Religious Liberty Association DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES 1. We believe in God, in the Bible as the word of God, and in the separation of church and state as taught by Jesus Christ. 2. We believe that the ten commandments are the law of God, and that they comprehend man's whole duty to God and man. 3. We believe that the religion of Jesus Christ is founded in the law of love of God, and needs no human power to support or enforce it. Love cannot be forced. 4. We believe in civil government as divinely ordained to protect men in the enjoyment of their natural rights and to rule in civil things, and that in this realm it is entitled to the respectful obedience of all. 5. We believe it is the right, and should be the privilege, of every individual to worship or not to worship, according to the dictates of his own conscience, provided that in the exercise of this right he respects the equal rights of others. 6. We believe that all religious legislation tends to unite church and state, is subversive of human rights, persecuting in character, and opposed to the best interests of both church and state. 7. We believe, therefore, that it is not within the province of civil government to legislate on religious questions. 8. We believe it to be our duty to use every lawful and honorable means to prevent religious legislation, and oppose all movements tending to unite church and state, that all may enjoy the inestimable blessings of civil and religious liberty. 9. We believe in the inalienable and constitutional right of free speech, free press, peaceable assembly, and petition. 10. We also believe in temperance, and regard the liquor traffic as a curse to society. For further information regarding the principles of this association, address the Religious Liberty Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. (secretary, C. S. Longacre), or any of the affiliated organizations given below: AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS North Pacific Religious Liberty Association (affiliated organizations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska): Office, College Place, Wash. Pacific Religious Liberty Association (affili ated organizations in California, Nevada, Utah. and Arizona): Office, Glendale, Cal.; secretary, J. O. Corliss. Southeastern Religious Liberty Association (affiliated organizations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina): Office, 169 Bryan St., Atlanta, Ga.; secretary, Carlyle B Haynes. Southern Religious Liberty Association (affillated organizations in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi): Office, 2123 24th Ave., N., Nashville, Tenn.; secretary, L. A. Smith. Southwestern Religious Liberty Association (affiliated organizations in Arkansas, Oklahoma. Texas, and New Mexico): Office, Keene, Tex.; secretary, G. F. Watson. |