, 1864-09-16
Sabbath Dissertation.


EDS. STATESMAN 1t is to be lamented that
this goodly town is far below the standard of
good morals in the observance of the Sabbath,
compared with other places of its age and con-
tanning a similar number Of inhabitants and
families stranger coming here who has Wis
tied mining towns and many other parts of the
country in California and Oregon will be amazed
to witness the almost total disregard of that sa-
cred day, in the general aspect of business, and
life in the streets. The stores of almost every
merchant are thrown wide open from early un-
til late, and men traffic and lounge about them
and saloons, alternately, and thus the day des-
ignated by the Creator for rest and worship, is
used as a day for barter and evil indulgences,
regardless of the law of God or man
1t IS especially painful to see American mer-
chants and mechanics, who claim to be believ-
ers in christianity and the christian Sabbath en-
gagged in their usual ayocations as if every day
were alike and the seventh, the most lucrative
of the week More trade, more gain, yea mo re
dissipation and profanity on that day than any
other, and vet respectable men of families, men
filling places of public responsibility for the
maintenance of peace and good order and the
suppression of crime and other evils are partlcl-
patOrs in the desecratiOn OF an institution which
is designed to promote wholesome laws and
good morals How can a father expect his chlI-
dren to be trained up to correct ideas OF moral
rectitude when he is practically violating the
first principle of moral obligation himself, and
who but the parent shall be accountable If the
early impress made upon the child's mind and
heart by this process of evil influence lead him
into vice and ultimate degradation? What can
the parent say if his sons become habitual Sab
bath breakers, which is the stepping stone to a
downward career Who shall be responsible for
the prosperity of drinking saloons and gambling
houses and their perniciOus influence upon the
community ?-for drunkards who revel about
our streets by day and by night, and for mur-
ders committed in open day?
| tremble for the welfare of a family under
such an influence, as well as for q community
who take cognizance of such gross immOrallties
and allow them to pass unheeded and unre-
buled Murders are committed and the people
are shocked at deeds so reckless, and they ex-
claim Who is safe from the hand of the despe-
rado? But, while the moral standard is so low
the event receives no public condemnation and
it passes by with full encouragement for a SINH
lar transaction by others
Sometimes the moral sense of the community
is aroused to the evil of Sunday traffic, and a
spasmodic effort is made to obtain the general
consent of Merchants to close their stores on
that day but it falls to the ground because the
obligation Of every trader cannot be obtained to
comply with the plan. The basis of such an eff
fort is dollars and cents, and not moral pIinci-
pie The few who start it will not agree to it,
because the balance will commit the moral sin
and get the most money. But apprehend that
if few prominent men who will decide that
the practice is wrong and a serious evil and
abandon it from right motives, their example
will soon be followed blythe majority. They will
have the consciousness, at least, of acting right
themselves, and bestowing blessing upon their
families and the community in which they live
I trust, Messrs. Editors, that you will give
your testimony to the above views, and give
these suggestions place in your paper, if you
deem them worthy. l am not literary man, or
writer, but in favor Of Moral Prosperity.
PROGREss.