The North-Carolina standard., 1849-01-17
SPEECH OF Mr.. 2BALLARp...
OF GATES COUNTY,

= e.A
Delivered in the House of Commons, upon the sub
iect Of LaysDays, upon the waters of Eastern
North Carolina. :, - .:.,.3E q =, .Js
Mr.. SPEAKER: The subject of lay-days upon the
waters of Albemarle and Croatan Sounds, and the
rivers emptying theren is one of great Importance
and peculiarly SO, to certain portions of Eastern
North Carolina. 80 -..y reir..7.- hid u, gtfs..-
am not ignorant of the fact, that this is hack
ueyed theme, that has claimed the calm consid-
Grafton Of the Legislature of North Carolina at pre-
yious sessions. Therefore foreign. to my purpose
would it have been, and at variance with my inciina
ton to occupy the position that do on this OCCASION
in obtrudng myself upon the attention Of this house,
did not feel an abiding interest in the subject.
/ do not arise because am anxious to make a
speech, for am opposed to too much speech-making
in the first place, because IN tTaasaotion
of public business; and secondly because having but
little legislative experience, do not claim myself
the ability of making distinguished flourish before
this house. - H.. s.,. si,. T. 5t-s. e as..
. occupy this floor then, Sir, because hope am
actuated by more noble and exalted mpulses-by the
highest considerations of duty only my consti-
tuents, but to my country; for this rs proposition
not entirely local in its tendency, and were l not
Influenced by considerations like these should re-
main silent upon my seat and fold my in lstless
indifference and submit the subject into more expe-
rienced and abler hands. But regarding this bill as
containing two important features, the one whose
purpose Is to achieve great moral reform, and the
other produce great peeqniary influence, Iesteem
it to be second in magnitude and importance to but
very few, which may be or have been presented
during this session, for the calm and dispassionae
consideration of this house. What does this bill
propose !? Its object is to impose lay-day on the
waters of; Albemarle and Croaton Sound and their
tributaries, from Saturday night twelve O'Clock until
Sunday night twelve O'Clock. In the discussion of
this subject, not TO estimate alone, the peeu-
mary benefits which, the establishment of a lay-day
on the Sabbath may produce the people, for money
calculations should enter item of secondary
importance. We therefore, in the outset ofthis dis
cussion regard this to be true propositions that
are under mperious obligations to legslate for the
moral health of the people, well for their pecu
mary amelioration. But it has been argued on this
floor, that cannot be forced to be moral by any
acts of Legislation; therefore that this position is
untenable 1t is true that where the heart is corrupt
it NAV remain so still, in many instances in defiance
to the most correct system of Legislation to the
tary. But we do assume it as undenable fact,
that legisating for moral effect has not onl receiv-
ed the lwarmest and most united appreciation of the
wisest and bestof men, but their talents have been
enlisted in its behalf. ,-.sa4csy ~ feE,7,,s4 E
As it is fact that variety of immoral habits and
customs constitute regular system of vice and inn
as law can suppress many fragrant
violations of moral principles it follows amatter Of
course, that operate benefcially in produc
ing a certain degree, moral reform, and even if
the heart be corrupt in fact there would not be
that external manifestation of its existence There
fore one prolific source of evil would be removed,
powerful effect in eeyatlng depressing the moral
tone in every community. ,Agaln,lwe have law In
this State which prohibits working the Sabbath
undera penalty, of one dollar. Now this law means
something or it means nothing if itmeans what it
expresses, we base the correctness of our premises
upon the presumption, that it is a good and salutary
law, but inefficient inits oPeratiopsa Fherefofe hay
ing the precedent established not only justif-
ed in assuming this position from the intrinsic inn
portance of the subectitse but we are sustained by
the sanction of past legislation. We contend then
that this law should be amended for if be sau-
tary one, one which deseryessa place in statute
books we see no reason why the penalty. SO far as
the fisherman is concerned, should not be fve hum
dred dollars instead. of one dollar. It is now mere
nominal penalty with him, for he will not inc9r the
penalty of one dollar with much reluctance, when he
realizes his hundreds and thousands thereby; and it
is certain that the present law nregard to its effect
on hauling the sein, may be construed manifesng
perform their duty in legislatug for the morality of
he people, than as furnishing any evidence Of having
done so: bod Z h;ss- RI isfzls.a4 II
We are to view the effect which this custom of
hauling seins on the Sabbath, has on the moral tone
IF socety; and this leads to consider the subject
IS intimately connected with the elevated and
purifying theme of Ethics.g wish to be understood
IN advance, that Idesign not to pronounce PhGrisa
al discourse upon the PIopriety of observing the
Sabbath !; but would say that if the strong and |
oreservative power Of the law cannot be interposed
a order to stay the onward march of vice and imme
lity-if its Conservative Influence cannot be exered
IS an auxiliary to establish higher standard of NOR
lity and elevate the moral tone of society by abr-