Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-01-31
POLITICS AND THE SABBATH.

The Sunday laws are essentially the same
in all the States, and do not interfere with
the rights of conscience or any man 5 liberty,
/ but simply protect the people IN their right
to quiet day Of weekly rest, which Is nee
essary for the body as well as the soul, and
Is a civil as well as a Christian institution,
The highest legal authorities of the country
irresp spective of party, have proved the con
stitHtionality and defended the wisdom and
necessity of laws for the protection Of the
Christian Sabbath
But the immediate aim of the enemies Of
the Christian Sabbath in New York, is to
effect the repeal of the Metropolitan Excise
! law, which they hate on account of It's Sun
day clause. This clause reads as follows:
Section IA. 'All persons licensed as bore
in provided shall keep the places ut WHICH
they are licensed TO keep, sell, give, and dis
pose Of strong and spurious liquors. wines,
ale, and beer orderly and quiet and be
tween the hours Of twelve o'clock at night
and sunrise, and on Sundays completely and
efectHaliy closed. Nothing herein contain
ed shall be construed to prevent hotels from
receiving and otherwise entertaining the
travelling public upon Sundays, subject to
the restrictions contained in this section.
This section has no political character
whatever, 1t has nothing TO do with party
platforms and party measures. il stands
on high moral ground. 1t is not oppressive
or tyrannical 1t prescribes no religious OBJ
servance for Sunday, but simply prohibits
the public traffic 10 intoxicating drink on
Sundays. An other kinds Of traffic are pro
| hihited. Il is in perfect agreement with
! older State laws prohibiting the liquor trat
| ic on Sundays and election days. 1t IS not
! seyerer than the city ordinance Of 1855, Is
sued under the administration Of and sign
/ ed by Mayor Fernando Wood. 1t has been
/ pronounced constitutional by the Supreme
| Court and by the Court Of Appeals. 1t Is
the best feature Of the Excise law, II gives
/ to 1t vitality and moral vigor 1t makes il
effective for good, and hence the wrath Of
/ the rum and lager interest. 1t has worked
admirably for the short time it has been IN
/ operation. 1t has closed more than three
| thousand of the worst rum holes which lived
on Sunday vice and dissipation; 1t has re-
| duced Sunday arrests more than one half; It
saves the hard earnings Of the working man
which used to be spent for intoxicating
drink; II gives US more quiet Sabbaths than
we had for years before; it acts as a powerful
check upon intemperance, vice and crime,
! and diminiShes 10 the same proportion,
pauperism and taxation. All good and or
| derly citizens are satisfied with its working
Certainly law which has such a favora-
| bic record TO show ought not only to be sus-
tained, but applied to the whole State The
| Sunday clause at least is the very last fca-
ture of thd Excise law of 1866, that ought
to be repealed It's repeal would be pub
! lie calamity to this city, and inaugurate
| again the supreme reign of rum and lager
on the day which was ordained for repose,
/ for worship, and for the intellectual and
/ moral improvement of the race.
! But our people, we trust, will never sell
/ their Sabbath for rum. They will watch
I the candidates for the offices of public trust
/ and give their support to no man who takes
ground against laws which protect the peo-
/ pie in the enjoyment Of one Of their clearest
rights aud dearest privileges