The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-24

uiSpOsttlOD which, as iaT as my knowledge
extends,they certainly 10 not possess. Let.
then,the habit be only fixed, s. there would
he no more inconvenience in making
provision on Saturday for the wants OF the
coming Sabbath, than there now is in
attending market on Sunday morning.
PEOPLE might then enjoy without re.
stralnt, their religious opinions, and
reasonable, temperate indulgence in all
the good things of bountcous proyi-
dence. So much for the first position.
And as TO the Cd. Whether the CONT
nuance Of Sunday markets would be an
act OF real mercy, have to remark the
same easy proneness TO take things for
granted, without due reflection, as in the
former case. That charity is the base of
| religion, TO one doubts that it cove.
reth multitude of sins, no one doubts.
And am not unwilling 10 leave it gran
ted, that the poor slave is allowed till
nine O'Clock on Sunday morning TO dis
pose of his little labor, in exchange for
comforts for his family. But had no,
long been in the habit of distressing
| my own Judgment, should be induced
to say without hesitation, that this was
nothing short Of complete begging of
the whole question.
1.-THE charity of which your correspon-
dent speaks is Of that Amazingly expan.
sipe kind as 10 cover over, without at
tempting to correc,,eyery species of euor-
| NIFTY, and every violation of the ten COM
mandmeDts, can only say, that the great
majority Of the Christian worid, at least,
will regard it as something very different
from that charity which The Gospel in
cnlcates-very different indeed, from
what it ought to be. And | am very
much inclined to believe that the fact of
the poor slaves being allowed till nine
O'Clock on Sunday morning 10 dispose OF
his little commodities, has originated in
the very evil of which we complain
Had there been no Sunday markets ,hey
would doubtless have had some other
time allowed for the disposal of these ar
ticies OF traffic. can never countenance
even the sHrmise, that masters of slaves
III the vicinity Of Alexandria, are class
OF rude, unfee!ing barbartans or that
they would ever deny their slaves any
reasonable indulgence, which might con-
duce to the comfort either of themselves
or families. They are very different
class of people. But suppose they were
not; suppose they should absolutely for
6'd their slaves coming to market on any
other day except Sunday, and suppose it
should be ascertaihed hey ond all question
that Sunday markets were great poli,i-
cal and moral evil, and be consequently
discontinued, upon whom, | ask, would
the charge Of cruelty lie in that case
Upon the common council, who had act
ed agreeably TO the requisition of Heaven
! or earth, or upon the master, who in re-
ality, was disposed TO violate both Uron
this point there can be but one opinion.
have now, Messrs. Editors, compile.
ted my design. If have taken wrong
view OF your correspondents argument
which is not at all impossible, though
have endeavored to the contrary, he will
confer real favor by putting ma right.
| am not fond of controversy, even when
conducted in spirit of seriousness or
decorum. But truth, am fond of, and
would gladly discover it by every Lawful!
means. That | am reIig10nist, and tina,
my scruples in relation to the lawfulness
OF Sunday markets, have originated in my
religious principles, | am willing 10 con-
Tess with frankness, fully persuaded that
with candid public, the avo~ al of the
Tact will not operate to my disadvantage.
4.