Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-07-29
The Sunday Law In Richmond.
ORGANIZATION EFFECTED TO SECURE
ITS REPEAL.

MEETING AT sENGER HALLE-A CITI-
zENs' ASSOCIATION FoRMED-THEIR
PLATFORM.
In response to the call published on
several days past, between fifty and
sixty citizens assembled Thursday at
Ssenger Halle, Richmond, to consider
the Sunday law.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. John Creme, on whose motion Mr..
William l.. Royal was elected chair
man.
Mr.. Royal said that he would go into
no extended remarks to explain the pur-
poses of the meeting. Its purposes are
well understood. We propose to effect
an organization aimed at bringing about
such modification of the present Sum
day laws as shall preserve perfect order
and decorum in the city, but yet shall
leave each individual to observe the
Sabbath as religious institution &C.
cording to the dictates of his own con-
science.
Mr.. Ernest Wilt was chosen secre-
tary.
On motion, a committee consisting of
Messrs. John Creme, Beverly T. Crump,
and E. M. Cardoza was appointed to
prepare business.
THE PLATFORM.
The committee retired and consulted,
and upon returning to the hall submit
ted the following report:
Whereas the General Assembly of
Virginia has given the force of law to
the opinion of one portion of the com.
munity that the absolute closing from
IL o'clock every Saturday night to sun
rise of the following Monday of "aH
places' where drinks are sold is essen
tial to the proper observance Of Sunday
in this State, and has thereby deprived
large proportion of our population
chiefly of the laboring class-of the
means of peaceably enjoying in the 80
ciety of their friends in a manner Salts
factory to themselves the only day of
rest, recreation, and refreshment which
many of them have; and whereas the
ment, in conflict with the enlightened
terial interests, without any cOmpensa-
ting benefit, and has proved to be q
source of continual irritation, strife and
excitement in this community; and
whereas experience has established the
fact that the suppression by law of the
sale of refreshments at public resorts
Sunday does not prevent, but rather in
creases, the desire for and use of intOxi-
eating drinks on that day, and, more
over, engenders hypocrisy and dis
stimulation, and even provokes hostility
to the Christian religion from the belief
that over jealous members of the Church
are mainly responsible for the enact.
ment and urged enforcement Of the law
now, therefore,
Resolved, 1st. That any effort by ap-
peais to the reason or conscience of the
people to induce them voluntarily to
keep away from public resorts on Sun
day is legitimate and proper and can be
condemned by none.
I'd. That the only province Of legisla-
ton in respect to making laws for Sum
day different from the laws for other
days whilst religious liberty exists is the
enactment of such laws as are necessary
for the maintenance of order and the
preservation of health.
Sd. That whilst many of US taking
part in this meeting suffer no inconveni-
ence or discomfort from the closing d
saloons and suburban gardens on Sun.
day, we who are thus exempt are unwill-
ing to sustain law which places an
embargo on the lawful desires Of Others
equally entitled with ourselves to free
UOm JuUSI1CAV 6AO hCV1OA III A1htUCAS
of conscience.
4 4th. That for the reasons set forth
and for others that could be assigned
we conscientiously believe that the laws
now existing in relation to Sunday
should be modified, and to accomplish
that modification we now determine tx
form permanent organization.
}, 5th. That though we are uninfuence6
by any partisan purpose, we yet recog
nize the soundness of the doctrine en-
unciated in that part of the Democratic
, platform adopted at st. Louis, June 20
, 1876, wherein it is affirmed "there shoule
be a total separation of Church and Stat
for the sake alike of civil and religious
|, freedom :" that there should be s'liberty
of individual conduct unvexed by stump
tuary laws" and that sit behooves .
free people to practice that eternal vigi
lance which is the price of liberty"
Il HnRRJRJE MuRDER ON A NOREOTK