The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-28
THE Observation-Disclosures.
Editors of the Register.

Editors of the Register:
we have somewhere met with the re.
mark, that if a man be the unfortunate
owner OF more than one christian name.
ana prints his name in full, it proves, de
Jacto, that ne is not lacking in the DUAL.
Ivy OF self-esteem. The same inference
might be derived from the fact of his
needlessly placing himself in opposition
TO the general moral sentiment of his
country. These remarks are made in
view Of the fact that the feeling of hos
tliIty which is sometimes manifested
against the Christian Sabbath proceeds
rather from spirit of captiousness and
selt-conceit than from any really substan-
tial ground of objection.
We have sometimes thought that if
tnere were any case IN which
the period for naturalization should be
protracted, it would be in regard to that
class OF emigrants, who, restless and dis
satisfied at home, having no fixed prln-
clples of conduct, and always endesvor-
ing to tear down that which has ever
been held sacred by wiser and better men
than thems elves, come 10 our shores with
the deluslve idea that civil liberty con-
sists IN doing what seems right to each
one IN his own eyes; or, in other words,
dong as he pleases." This is the liber-
ty of the savage rather than of civilized
society. Persons having such a notion
should have the term OF their probation
extended, in order that they may have
time to learn more fully the true nature
of civil liberty.
1t is true that this class arrogate to
themselves the name OF "ratioLalists
but to US it seems that they are
anything else thai rational.
Observation has satisfactorily proved that
their idea OF national liberty is, that
every one should pursue his own pleasure
regardless of what the wisest OF men have
held to be Tor the general good; which is
the very quintessence OF selfshness. The
general good does not seem to enter at
all into their idea of civil liberty. But
civilized society is based upon theory
directly the opposite ofthis, viz: that in
dividual, pleasure should always be sub
ordinated to the ee Q al welfare.
The Jewish Sabbath, and the Christian
Sabbath have always contemplated sub
staut,ally the same objects, viz: physical
rest for man, and domestic beast and
spiritual culture for the human
soul. For these purposes the Jew
has ever set apart and observed the
seventh day Of the week and the Chris
tians the first day.
To say nothing of the Sabbath day, as
day of religious worship-which by
law Is not made obligatory as such-it is
conceded by the wisest and best of states
men, jurlsts, physicians and psychologists
that rs day of rest from ordinary labor
for man and domestic animals, it is an
institution not only useful, but almost
absolutely essential to the best interests
of society. 1t has been found most i'm
portant means f r promoting and pro-
lecting public health, morals and gene.
raj prosperity. Hence, it derives
its legal sanctions from consldera-
lions of sound policy. Ne one
is required to 90 to church unless
he sees fit to do so. Every one Is
allowed to occupy himself as he may
think best, provided he does not in
fringe on the rights of Others rs guaran-
teed by law, and keeps himself within
the limits of those wholesome restric-
tlons which society has imposed for the
general welfare.
But there are those who do not believe
that man has soul, and, so far Us they
are concerned, this may be virtually
true. With such, to eat, drink and be
merry appears to be the summum bon"m,
or chief good Men are not apt to rise
above their ideal. Ifthey believe them
selves to be no better than the swine
that perish, they will perish as the swine.
But they must allow others, Tin this free
country" to differ with them in opinion,
and as pre- to higher destiny.