Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-05-07
For the Chronicle.
TO OUR CITY FATHERS.
HAS. @. SMITH, Treas,
M. Z. & L, r. r. Co.

Gentlemen III beg leave to call your attention,
to gIaring and grevous evil in the administrator
of the law in our midst. The Sabbath day, which
the laws Of God and man, 10 Christian countries,
enjoin 10 be kept holy, is most shamofuily and
wickedly desecrated week after eek, in this city;
wagons and drays laden In the .ty with wood,
baggage and freight, are allowed TO p ass through
our thoroughfares at all hours, on Sun lay, with
out let or hinderance; Steamboats, arrive at our
wharves and take in and put off freight at pleas
ure. The municipal laws of Nashville, III the
writer m stake mott forbid the receiving and land.
ing OF Ire eht on Sunday hence Steamboats, con
tinue load N Nashville, as long as possible on
SATURDAYS, and then come down to our wharves to
make out their cargoes here on Sundays Siss. is
this right II It be violation Of the laws OF God
and man TO labor in Nashville on Sunday does the
position Of Clarksvile exempt her from the duty
Of excepting holy the Sabbath day." and render the
sw Of the Sabbath imperative upon her. But II is
argued that boats would not ceme to our wharves
at all. IL they were prevented from receiving and
putting OF freight here on Sunday. Where is tn e
evidence in reason or fact Is Clarksville SO
dependency OF Nashville, as to be rendered under
any obligation to take under her patronage such
violations of wholesome laws, as are driven away
from Nashville, and to become sort Of Botany
Bay for her The Commerce Of GAINESVILLE is Of
that importance, as to make 1t an object Of prime
consideration we ship more Tobacco o, wheat -four
pork &C., than Nashville. Should any OF OUT
Steamboats, take 1t in dudgcon that they are re
quired TO keep the law of the Sabbath in Clarks-
Vile and refuse to take freight for her, we should
very soon have a line Of Boats for our city. that
would be content to 60 no higher up the com
merce Of this city would maintain we'll, goodly
number of Boats. Its hereby respectfully gu =
United, that the municipal laws Of GAINESVILLE
should protect the morals of the city from such
violence. The effect of this usage is to corrupt
operators OF every ego, sex, color and condition
slaves, when they should be resting from labor and
assembling in the house Of prayer, for moral and
religious improvement, arc thus debauched, and
their owners defrauded, to the extent TO which
they are morally and physically injured. The
writer Of this mmunic alton was informed by q
gentleman living the river, that there are, in
his opinion, two hundred and fifty persons, the
wharves on Sunday that hear never, the word o.
God preached. We need net wonder that MINOR
atty should become rampant in our midst.
During the season of killing pork. the desecra
ton Of the Sabbath is still more fragrant, and heav
en- defyiug but it is urged, IN extenuation. tina
the exig.ncies of pork killing, are such as 10 rem
der labor on Sunday absolutely indispen able
But surely, no one Is compelled to embark in al
enterprise, demanding the dissertation Of the Sab
bath. Merchants, mechanics, mon In every de-
partment Of operative industry, might argue, that
their gains are interferrel with, by laws requiring
a cessation of business, every seve nth day bu
would this plea arrest the law-maksr. and caus,
him to dc away, entirely with the sanc,ity and
the sanctions of the Sabbath Can any class o
our pc pustion claim exemption from the opera
ton Of laws found to be Of tho very essence o
good governmentt Have we privileged class il
our community, who may of right claim TO be ex
onerated from the obedience Of law I Srs, yo'
have not now TO be told, that nations and commu
mites are great and prosperous, Id the direct raii
4 Of their obedience to the law Of God. You hav
+ the right to make laws for the conserving Of tn
morals as Of the pecuniary interests OF those VIII
e have placed you Ia power and 1t were fair
O presume, that your electors would applaud vo
for so guarding the ,anctity Of the Sabbath as tia
d none should violate Il with IMMUNITY make III
receiving and landing of freight, and the transPoi
). tation to and from the wharvss, the wagOning
wood. coal &C., taken on or put off within II
: Corpora ion. a penal offence or in some way
G which may seem in your judgments capable Of OF
tanning the end, protect the city from the wickes
ness Of the habitual dissertation of the Sabbath.
It Your serious and candid consideration, gentl'
If mon. Is respectfully asked for this subjects fe'
not to do Your duty as conservatOrs of tho publ
It morals, aud your administration will deserve TO
{, regarded as honorable and praisew orthy.
Very Respectfully.
<, THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
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