Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-07-14

tain t. Il involves the assumption not only that
Mr. SOmes and bis ffends know what Is good for the
lsboripg classes much batter than they do but also
that NJ Somesand his friends are jusdf d In making
avb 10 compel the abotDg oas'es to act in the man
ner they think for the good Ones establish this peu-
pIs in legislation and there Is end Of oil individual
liberty either for rich or poor. 1t Is particularly obi
sin this instance BEGAN l. proposes to opfrae only
upon Inc poor but it would be just rs monstrcus in
principle ii il could 10 made to extend to all cassee-
If you have right 10 make Law 10 prevent man
"fof the goCd Of bis bady" from going to bssrshop,
you have rghs to interdcs him from going TO
meeting -house or Roman Catholic chapel "ior the
good Of his soul." The man himself, and be only, as
right to Judge Wha. "good for bis body" and what
is "good for bis soul and auy who proposes TO do
tais for him by force Of Act CT Parliament Is, no
matter whether in folly, ia aicm or oonceit or IN
more ignorance, striking al the very foundation OF our
social system. When gentlemen are dawn into dis
on sors as the pobabe resu of sucd measures they
give their authors vantage ground they do net dfshVe
tempting, 10 doubt, to 0iputant TO show an adVor-
sary that ca? not make sober, humble or gen
ero1s OF temperate OF religious by Act OF Parliament
but the adversary will glWays think be can dc 60,
aud sny rats would like to try Phe true answer IS =
You lave 10 right to try. You have no more nglt TO
lake away your neighbours privilege Of judging for him
self than he has right to take your prise. X you
beng the stronger have right to compel him to do
as you psa!e he when he has you at advantage, will
have right to do as he psases Then thsio is an end
OF all things. Depend up1p 1t, he In bis turn VIII
think you aro too ricS, too Injurious too well dfesseo,
too ~ and too tyrsnncA and he will strip Jou ard
work you ali the seven days through Thus we would
reduce ythng to the srbirAmsD Of force. Sunday
legislation in the spirit in which it is proposed by NJ
Sumes is insdms;ibe no. because it i5 Sunday legis-
Ation tor that as We have shown ia very much TO be
desired-but because IL lie directed to objects beyond
the legitimate province of any legislation.
Tee difficulty Of deAliUg with this question is that the
obi ct profesaed are objects which, if they could be
moderately favored by any lawful means should all
be glad to SEQ accomplished. We all go al Gus 10
see the Christian Festival Of the first day of the week
observed in deee1Cy and joy that very few of US have
the courage to throw store a: the Pdritans lest We
wound the Christian holyday Ia the sams manner tae
anacism oil the Teetot les p:oi5e cd from repro
baliop il Lot from ridcue, by the real virtue OF ter
perenc, which thought 10 lie hid under the
IL is these considerations which have hitherto induced
the House OF Commons 10 deal enderly and spect-
fully With these annual SAbbatsr,an Bls- II Is how
ever quite hopeless expect tina. any useful legislation
upJn Sunday obs ever be received from the
hands Of parties who pop1se not to protect an EGG
shman in the erj jyment of his privileges as British
subject but tn make him DO what they think he ought
to 10 10 his cpleity OF mlrsl MN and Protestant
Christian.