Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-09-01
THE SABBATH ORDINANCE.

To the Editors Of the Wig:
Genteman-The Comm on Council OF Richmond have
recently passed ordinance, it (which take e
feet the Let Of September nex by which oil person.
prohibited from aboring their respective vacations
ON Sundays, [caed the Sabbath day. under penalty not
exceeding ten dellars for each offence
As citizen Of Virginia and devoted TO the great pnc-
Piles Of federation asserted Bill of Rights and the act
establishing Religious Freedom exceedingly regret TO be-
hold this evidence Of disregard the great preeep; which
enoins "Render Cesar the things that sars
and to God the things that Gods" There is verify
believe, growing disposition in this ago and county, 10
commit the interests of religion the especial protection
and guardianship Of the Idto, withdrawing the eloquent
lessons inscribed the Of human experience that
such alliance 10 unnatural it is unwise and pern
cious
That the Municipality OF the enlightened Metropolis of
Virginia should contributed the influence Of their ex
ample tendency which is repudated alike by sound
wisdom and faith, and the time directly OF
with the letter and the spirit OF fundamental law
10 no less remarkable Than II is unfortunate.
Ii cannot escaped the gence Of the Council rha
Bill Of Rights declares. among other things that AL
men equally entitled the free exercise Of rs zion &c
eoding the dictates Of conscience and hatt the nu
tua duty Of all practise christian orbearoncc love and
charity toward each oierRnd that the act for establish
ing religious freedom Rev Code. page 77S enacls that
mo shall be compelled frequent support any re-.
Igons worship, place minisTy whatever. shall any
man be enforced TssGined noested or burdered an his
body goods Of his religious opinions or be
lief" and that "iho shall in affect, diminish
or enlarge their civil eapocica" With ouch nhibtons TO
he Council and every other legislative body known +, ,
laws Of Virginia, is difficult that City aui,ri
ties clothed with the p0irsT laws which do i'm
psr the free exercise Of religion according the dictates
Of conscience " and materially and viiay oissi t,,f1;
and burden, in body and goods Of religions
belief" large class Of citizens the zruel,r- who are
equally entitled all the benefit Of this wise nern,n Of
legislative authority.
know that IT may be objected IN this reasoning that
the Legislature have long assumed md exercised the
power Of preventing, 10y penalty, all work on the first
day Of the week. but that such law is in harmony g i,l
the Constitution and Bill Of Rights, npd the Act Of Rel.
ROus Freedom, will not probably be asserted by any re-
specable legal authority Thst b. not sustained by pub
lie opinion is msnifcsi from the fact that f., dead
Statute Bookthc whole record II our penal
authorizations being q believe without single instance ri
prosecution for such offence.
must not be undcfsiyOd 10 dsparsge the policy ri e.
tabshng dsy in seven as day Of rest land the Lo,s
DSy appropriately than sny obor) a highly useful
snd humane municipal regulations; but object to tie q,s
undertaking enforce Observance ~ obedience to ys
siSus obligation, and the sane time Indicating its yeI
sioSs character by penalty No religious act can be &C.
eeptsble TO Deity which perfectly free aud voluntary
II a complaint uttered long Bgo against such law.
among the Jews that " Ther FEAR Of Ne - fqyeLf by
hs prsospf Of Man" II would that oil that our law.
could eonstutonay snso', ia the premises would he To-
declare that class Of community should BE- compelled
Iatow tha dny thus securing to all the rights Of
conscience and unduy eonsnainirg none.
Ihave one other observation to make in conclusion IL
T.. that Historically tina Sunday s the SAT-
bsI Dar and further that there total absence Of all
adequate suihory Tor transferring the duties and obser-
vances Of sesen day q the week, ho only dvinoly
appointed Sabbath Day. 20 L,ri's Day, which the
fret day Of the week The alleged authority e the fourth
commandment, which sSprossy thu, {" the ,trFru
nav 10 rHr slBnarH Of bo Jpfd Thy God" i wholly map.
pesbls 70 our Sunday. which the dsy Of tie week.
u ~ stefsre, the Incumbent duty oi every advocate tor
ssosrsns Ssbbsh Obseusncss OF sunday, BY PsAaI
>nsssa sAsv his authority ~ imposing the neoks
81 American ffeemon yoke which aetber nor our
sshsss we're able to bear" think may hazard the