The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-21

lore the puOifc and that it is beginning
to be treated with that seriousness and
decorum which It's nature and importance
soeyidently demand. There arc many, no
doubt, who long have been, & still are. in
the habit Of regarding the subject as
mere matter OF indifference. Others
there are, most unquestionably, who con. |
slider il as perfectly consistent with the
principles both of morality and RELIGION
and ii Is equally certain, that there are
number--a considerable numbcr--whoI
can scarcely regard it in any other light
than as great public evil as injurious
10 the moral habits Of the people, and a
violation OF one of the most prominent
precep's IN the decalogue. Among
winch one OF these classes the trntb
is to be found, it is not my purpose a,
present to inquire. That all are not
rlgh', will be admitted without the hesi-
fancy OF a msment. 1t would seem. then.
that as all classes are interested. and that
as the truth must lie somewhere, it must
be source of qualification TO ali to dis
cover where that truth is /; and am ac-
quapted with no mode which holds on,
so fsir promise of successful issue, in
this inquiry, as that of cool, temperate,
and friendly discussion. To suppose that
either party is so tenacious of its opinion
asnot TO yield to the force of solid arpu.
ment, IS supposition as ungenerous as it
would be absurd to anticipate conviction
from the employment ofsuch an unmanly
weapon as obloquy or defamation. The
great body of the people have moral
feeling and understanding, as well as or.
gans OF vision, and no doubt is entertain
ed but that if each party would be con.
tent with bringing forth its strong req
sons,the matter,now sub JUDGE, would be
Brought TO very speedy and successful
issue. The determination of the whole
controversy seems to rest entirely upon the
decision OF these two important questions:
ist' Are Sunday markets necessary u
Could they not be dispensed With, with
out producing any real distress, or would
the evil arising from their continuance
be really less than what would flow from
having them abolished ? Cd. Would
their continuance in the light of scrip.
ture principles, be an act of undoubted
mercy! If, after fair discussion, either
OF these points can be decided in the az.
hInati'e, IT'S presumed, that by the most
strict rehgionist, the acquisitions IF the
fourth commandment, will be regarded
as completely satisfied. My own opinion
is tand !, has not been formed without
much retecuon), that neither of them
can. But as it is very possible that l
may be mistaken after all, any person, or
persons, who should be so successful as
to convfaee me Of my mistake, will not
only be entitled to my thanks, but shall
receive them through the same medium
nat this Is given to the public. E..
bfessys. Editors. There has been an
attempt to say much about the SUNDAY
market IN some Of your last numbers.
The christian doctrine has been resor,ed
TO Tor the unhallowed purpose of tearipp
from us the only relict of our ;pdepen.
dence; and we have been told that the
northern cities have abolished SUNDAY
markets, and that the omnipotcnt city of
fredericksburg has followed their exam.
ple. l.et this be as il may, we have de.
rived advantages FROM the continuance of
the Sunday markets, and they should no,
be discontinued. Christianity, that great.
est blessing to man, should never be re.
sortedto as the means Of DESTROYING our
temporal convenience. A great portion
oi your community, The industrious me-
rhanic ard the hardy laborer, generally
receive their weeks pay late on SATURDAY.
night, and Sunday morning is the time
set apart by them to provide for the wants
Of their families. This privilege these
would-be- christians wish TO wrest from
them; and to cap the climax OF their
impiety have attempted to quote scripture
Tor 1t. am not much versed in divine
lore It is true, but know not in what
part OF tia, holy volume they look for the
Jaw which says, thou shalt no, eat. or
which denies the right to us even of pro-
vIdiDg Tor orr wives and children on the
Sabbath. Has not the God of nature
blessed Us With numerous products oftbe
earth, for The manifest purpose of cnioy-
Uenl, and not having stipulated that we
should refrain on any particular day. is il
not urpjvilege to use them on Sunday ,
The christian has set apart the first day
Of the week as the Sabbath, the Jews. the
last. Hete tbenis difference Of opi.
oion as 10 which day is the Sabbath: and.
- adopt the reasoning Of your correspon-
cents, itSoald be necessary to prohibit
markets ON each of these DAYS, unless
bse tbem,you are willing to decide which
IS the day intended by the SuDreme. II