23
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1832-1853
it is necessary for the moral and physical good of man to rest on one day out of seven. Let us suppose that the Quakers, the Jews, the Seventh day Baptists, and others, that believe that Saturday, the seventh day of the week is the day that God set apart as the day .of rest and holy observance, should combine and get control of the legislative branch of the government, and should enact that all persons should abstain from labor, sale or barter of goods, wares or mer- chandise on that day, under pains and penalties affixed thereto. What do you suppose the religious people who believe that the first day of the week is the day that Christ ordained as a day of sacred rest, would say? Would not they all proclaim that such a law was a violation of the constitution, because it, in effect, abol- ished the Christian Sabbath, a day of rest and divine worship? They would rebel against the enforcement of such a law, and claim their rights guaranteed by the sacred enactments of the law of the land, which declared that the free use of religious worship shall not be prohibited. We must remember that this is a land of equal rights to the Jews as well as to the Gentiles. The laws of Mexico, intended to prescribe and regulate a per- son's religious belief, were the first moving cause that inspired the Texas patriots to draw their swords in defense of enlightened freedom and 1·eligious toleration. The men who fought for and won her independence dedicated her soil to be the abode and dwelling place of freemen of every kindred and tongue, coming from all nations, to enjoy, unmolested, as they may think proper, the religious views and customs taught them in their native land. Our friends, the Germans, are a class of immigrants I have made exertions to secure. They purchase our lands and pay us cash. Some of them have settled on land that was considered unproductive without irrigation, but through their skill and industry this dormant soil blossoms like the rose and brings forth immense treasures of wealth. When, in our distress, we beckoned these peaceable, intelligent and hardy pio- neers to our shores, we promised them an asylum of freedom. I never can give my consent to the passage of any law intended to regulate the manner in which they or any other class of people shall observe Sunday. Such an act would be in bad faith. I would not only refuse to advocate such a measure, but I would interpose my solemn protest. When a government like ours undertakes to declare certain acts of individuals unlawful, that
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