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TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Tuesday March 11, 1890

RELIGIOUS INTERFERENCE.

The Blair Sunday Rest Bill Analyzed, Criticised and Pulverised -- Some Strong Talk -- Reviews from Way Back -- Resolutions Adopted -- Etc.

Between 400 and 500 ladies and gentlemen assembled in Piper's Opera House last night to get severe colds and listen to speeches against religious interference. Notwithstanding their great suffering, the audience was very enthusiastic.

Henry Rolfe was elected Chairman of the meeting and E. D. Knight Secretary.

Mr. Rolfe very clearly set forth the objects of the meeting, and read the Blair Sunday rest bill and the "sting" in it.

Colonel Stone was the first speaker. He attacked the bill from a legal standpoint, reviewed the history of religious liberty from the time of William the Silent to the present day, and then showed the pandemonium that would result from the passage of the bill. "Imagine," said the speaker, "the average Congressman wrestling with the question of transubstantiation, total immersion and infant baptism!" The caustic ridicule which the speaker put into this part of his remarks was exquisite.

Professor Bray was the next speaker. He addressed himself particularly to the school question, and said in teaching truth, honor and virtue there was enough religion taught in the schools already. The rest could be safely left to the fireside and the church.

Mr. Cook one of the Vice Presidents of the National Liberty Association, under whose auspices meetings are being held throughout the United States in opposition to the Blair bill, excused himself from speaking.

E. D. Knight was the last speaker. The young man created a very favorable impression in the beginning of his remarks, which sounded like an essay from Huxley, Tyndall or Agassiz. He was roundly applauded. He went way back, starting with the establishment of government in families.

The following resolutions were read and adopted by a unanimous vote:

Resolved, That we, the people of Virginia City, Nevada, in mass meeting assembled, are steadfastly opposed to the adoption by the Congress of the United States of the joint resolution introduced in the Senate by Senator Henry W. Blair, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States respecting establishments of religion and free public schools. That we are opposed to the passage by Congress of the bill introduced by said Senator, known as the "Blair Sunday Rest bill," and to the kindred measure introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Breckenridge of Kentucky, and to ail other legislation looking to the recognition or establishment of any system of religion by the Nation or by any State, or restricting the right of any citizen to engage in any legitimate lawful pursuits on any day in the week.

Resolved, That while we believe in and approve of the teaching of the principles of virtue and morality in the public schools, that it is not and never should be within the province of the National Congress, or the Legislature of any State in the Union to prescribe for the free public schools what are and what are not the "fundamental and nonsectarian principles of Christianity."

Resolved, That religion is beyond the purview of human government, and from it is essentially distinct and exempt from its cognizance. That any connection between them is not only injurious to both, but is destructive of personal liberty, freedom of conscience and the public welfare, and with the patriot soldier, Grant, we affirm that all religions should for all time be left to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution, and that the State and the Church should remain forever separate.

Resolved, That we most earnestly request the Senators and Representatives of this State in Congress to oppose the adoption of the joint resolution and measures referred to. That the Chairman and Secretary of this meeting transmit copies of these resolutions to said Representatives at Washington for presentation to the Senate and House of Representatives, and that the TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE, Virginia Evening Chronicle, Carson Appeal, Reno Gazette, Nevada State Journal, the Silver State, Eureka Sentinel and all other newspapers published in the State be, and they are hereby, respectfully requsted to publish the same with the proceedings of this meeting.

Resolved, That the earnest and effective work now being performed by the National Religious Liberty Association in opposition to such legislation and to said proposed amendment to the Constitution meets with our unqualified approval, and that Mr. J. H. Cook, the Vice President, and Mr. L. A. Scott, Press Agent of said Association, present at this meeting, deserve the thanks of the people for their untiring zeal manifested in advancing the cause of the Association.

HENRY ROLFE, Chairman.
E. D. KNIGHT, Secretary.