The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-07

forced Dy law ana CUSTOM upon uii. Stofes afo
closed upon that day, the labor in man.
ufactores suspended, and public works interrupted.
TO such habits and notions, our city stands in bold
contrast. Very few of our citizens go regularly to |
church, few more go occasionally; but we think |
vass majority of the community never go at ALL |
Ia some quarters of thereby, the French especially,
stores are never closed-while, that they are par
tally closed is the best that can be said of the more
Americanized parts. As to this practice, we stand
alone in the Union, and hitherto no other commu-
nifty seems to envy us the distinction: the con.
tray, it makes part Of the unenviable, although
partly unjust, reputation we enjoy abroad. Now,
Is this difference from the rest of the country, this
exclusive distinction, this monopoly Of Sabbath
breaking, as our religious friends would SAYS 1t
privilege, an advance of civilization, which we
enjoy Over our neighbors or is it blemish on our
social condition, and a peculiarly detrimental to
the welfare and progress of our city! If we can
show that the latter is the case, hope to do,
tLen it is high time to bestir ourselves, to inves
tgate the matter thoroughly, and then see if we
cannot help ourselves to a better state of things
Our readers not be afraid, however, that we
going to preach them sermon, taking the fourth
commandment for our text; as we intend, on the
contrary to orego entirely the religious side of this
deprying ourselves Of the best part of our argu-
ment but still, when you come to reflect upon the
character and prevailing ideas of our community.
it is evident that if any thing be done here for
better observance Of the Sabbath it be done
| from pure religious motives. 1t il, perhaps, from
the want of understanding this, and because Sab
bath observance has been advocated hitherto mere
w on the score of religion, that few good results
have been attained here. We think that, apart
from Scriptural arguments, there sufficient mo-
tives why the keeping of that day should become
popular among us, and we will try to notice few.
First, we will call this institution an eminently
republican and democratic one, for Sunday is, above
all, the day Of the poor man and Of the common
laborer. Wherever its observance is enforced, the
working classes rescued for this day, at least
from the slavery Of capital about which much
complaint, right or wrong, begins to be heard. By
proper regulations, it can be made day Of rest
| and feast, which ALL with scarcely an exception,
may enjoy. The wealthy man. the merchant, the
patron Of workshop, may all enjoy their rest and
leisure whenever they please, even if there be no
Sunday, for they are the masters and the employ
ers. But not with their laborers. If not pro-
tected either by law, by strong religious habit,
there is day Of rest for them, except at the mercy
of their lords, who will, little as possible grant
! such relaxations and, it he Does they feel under
obligation to him-they receive it q favor, in
stead Of feeling that it is their right Therefore,
we consider the non-observance of the Sabbath as
positively oppressive, arstocratc and despotic
measure, which keeps the laboring classes espe-
cally, all their life long, in the drudge of labor
which degrades them, by depriving them of pre-
cious right, which the wealthy can enjoy, and to
which they also are entitled A community well
enlightened on the subject of freedom, must have,
later, the Sabbath, and keep it strictly.
We will remark, next, that it belongs to the ply.
steal condition of man, to have for its welfare, regu-
lar, periodical rest days. and that better success
must attend his labors with that rest, than with
incessant, restless toll Why, the hackman and
the farmer will tell you that they would soon run
their animals to death if they did not allow
them now and then day for recruiting. So it is
with man. Without proper interruption for lei
sure and recreation, his physical and mental
strength become impaired, his labor of less value,
and he will accomplish ultimately less work, by
TOLL @sitlo"< i-s-~-.-rsi~~yr sA-- sestfos
proper intervals. We might say his labors will |
last a shorter time without the day of rest than by
observing it, for by overexertng himself by refu-
sing to his body the necessary relaxation, he can
but impair his health, and shorten the duration
of his life While, after long day of rest and en-
joyment, and with the certainty of another one in |
close perspective, he cannot fail to work with re-
newed ardor and energy, with that happiness and
contentment of mind which ennobes the man.
and improves the quantity and the quality of all
his efforts and labors.
The moral happiness Of man must be exalted by
the observance of the Sabbath. The poor laborer
cannot help looking with eye of envy at the fate
Of the rich, who can enjoy himself and do as he
pleases-who need not work. This makes him
feel unhappy. This is the cause why in Europe,
and especially in France, the working classes are
arrayed in hostility against the wealthy ranks of
society. But, give to the poor his Sunday,
protect it by law, and for day least he feels
equal to the rich. Nay, he is in reality far more
happy than he, for rest, after necessary labor and
heavy toll, is enjoyed in superior degree such as
the rich seldom, If ever, can appreciate. In one
case it is rest indeed, while in the other it deserves
| more the name of deness than that of rest On
thatday the poor, with greater happiness, has all
the privileges of the rich; he does not toll on that
day; he lays aside his cares he does not live on
his present. but his past labors, that is to say
| he lives on his incoms. 1t is the seventh part of
the poor mans whole life in which it is granted to
him to live on his income, as the rich do but with
superior enjoyment
| When wesay we should like to see the observance
Of the Sabbath enforced in city, do not mean
course, that we want the people to be made to go
to church. We want only that the day be granted,
and its possession insured to every man. that he
may spend it in the way which affords him the most
honest pleasure. II he be religious, let him go to
| church. You ought to give him the chance. If he
| be not, well, let him enjoy himself in any way
which will intarlara- with tho rs-. -oiLssa
Let him walk if he chooses let him read or study,
| if he finds there pleasure, or let him enjoy the
society OF his fellow-creatures. Even without the
help Of religion, this day be made the source of
| the purest enjoyments, destined to elevate and
| refine the feelings Of mankind
Such are some Of the popular and social advan-
| tages Of an observance of the Sabbath.
But how shall we attain this desirable object
How can our people be awakened from their present
apathy on the subject, and measures be finally
| taken for the contamination of such an important
end The only way, as in all the great moral
reforms, Is to agitate the question: and to keep it in
the minds OF the people until they have formed an
enlightened opinion. We want Legislation on the
subject It's of little avail try to pei suade few
individuals to enforce, each sngly the duties of the
Sabbath. Every man will easily be found ready to
close his store on Sunday. provided his neighbors
IN the same branch Of trade as himself do it, but he
| will consider