The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-07-22
nErEgEsCAN TECHET
The Sunday Laws.

5 where, and the efforts now in progress
TO make our Sunday laws through their
rigid enforcement, so odious as to cause
their repeal or radical modification, ought
to attract the attention of every rejecting
citizen. Very few things have been held
IN higher estimation by Americans OF
English, Scotch, and Scotch-Irish extrac.
tion, as well as many Of German desce MT,
than our peculiar method of observing
Sunday. The movement for change in
that method comes almost entirely from
persons of foreign birth, principally Ger
mans, who claim that the law unjustly
abridges their freedom. They have been
used to Sunday, little different, in re-
ligious point of view, from any other day.
While religions services might character
ze the morning, the afternoon was a fes-
tive occasion, and observed somewhat af-
ter the fashion Of an ordinary gala-day.-
Many Germans, on a comparison of our
Observance of the day with that of their
ovn country, have emphatically decided
ia favor Of our own method, while others,
especially those of rationaliStic tendencies,
tenaciously cling to the custom of their
native land These latter, to their credit
be it said, do not seek to nullify the law
by disregard for its provisions and defiance
of It's requirements. Perceiying that in
some respects it is dead letter, they seek
ty sec rirg its rigid enforcement 70 make it
work Inconvenience, discomfort, or loss to
SO large portion of the people that they
too viii clamor for its sbrogation.
For our part, we do Tot much regret
the agitation thus prcciptated Laws
tllat are dead letters, in whole OF in part
are : Llot on the statute book and work in
convenience to the law abiding citizen,
and abate from that respect to law which
ought at all times to be carefully iuculca-
ted. The present statute relative TO the
observance CT Sunday has been in exist
epce since time when the people Of
Pennsylvania were handful compared to
their present number. Since then, her
great manufacturing industries, her vast
network Of railways, and her large cities
with their varied wants. have all been
called into being. 1t is not strange,
therefore, that the statute should in some
respects be found iGc9ngraous with the
views or necessities OF portion Of the
people
But in what respects shall it be chang
-. Il IL
in any legal aspect, with the various con,
Aieting views as to the proper manner o.
observing Sunday as a religious day. Il
rretendS not to say to the Jew that his
Sabbath is abrogated and supplaated By
our first day IF the week. Neither does il
assume to decide between the Puritanica
view of the day and the Eriscopalian 1t
looks only to the policy Of State, to tho
promotion of morals, to rest from labor by
rian and beast. With wisdom that doe
honor to the American people, they main
tain law which says that one day out o
seven shall be devoted to rest from ordin
ary labors. He who sees fit may publicly
worship on that day, or may refrain from
worshiping and pay his devotions on an.
oSher day. 1t binds the religious actor
of none. Whatever changes will subserv
the general design of the law, or which ar
not incompatible with that design. an,
tend to private or public convenience
ought to be made. But changes that wi
make Sunday as any ot4ar day, that VI
ma. open the shops ana saloons and eI
courage carousals and festivities, ought t
81 be stornly and uncompromisingly resisted
But just here is where the various di:
put,s arise. The running of trains o
Sunday /; winked at rather than sanction
od, to the discredit of both the people an
- the law Shall the law be changed in tn
respect 80 as to permit the running Of ii
more important passenger trains, or sha
every tYain,be stopped The blast fu
races IN our mills and glass works al
Rers burning from Saturday til AIonda
doubtless in plain technical violation
the Sunday law. Shall t!rase drss be i
die cut. TO the injury of INC propreio
ard workmsn and the dctriment OF o.
Industries Again, shAlI the man
rsalth be allowed to bring ont hi c-rril@
wieh ycricd servant, or perhaps sever
.f them. that lie may he driT-a fc
squares to his place of worship, Wide q
moro humble car Of horse railway M.
not rumble along the street, nor chuT'