Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-16
. TRUTH -
Gives the Renders Of the Appeal An
other Chapter on the Sunday
Laws from his Erroneous
ktandDGint-But Give
him q Chance.

EDITORS APPEAL-Your second objection
against the Sunday law Is stated In these
words: ''One of the worst things about Sun
day regulations hitherto has been that they
have operated principally against the poorer
classes, making a distinction that never
ought to exist, especially In a country like
ours" In the next sentence you give US an
instance of what you assert: ''lf one man
drive out to-day seated on his dray, and an
other seated in his carriage, will the general
orders be carried out i'm partially with respect
to both?" Now, IL commenting upon this
language, | certainly have no desire to mis-
represent you. If | misapprehend your mean
ing. should be glad to know it. But, so far
as | can see, the words admit of but
construction. You here assert two things:
First, that our Sunday laws, as
laws, make discrimination against
the poor; and, secondly, that those who
administer these lava will enforce
assertions | earnestly deny. First, look at
ihe laws themselves. Turn to the statute OF
1903. Enacted at that time by the legisa
ture, it has never been repealed. Ard what
does it provide? Simply, that all regular
business, except such as may be necessary,
shall be suspended on Sunday. l would quote
the statute but fer the fact that my allowance
OF space has been limited. But this is its
substance. Regular avocations may not be
pursued on Sunday. And there is no dis
elimination between the rich and poor. Al
classes must close their places of business.
Then, again, look at the law CT the Taxing
District. This provides substantially the
same thing. IL closes the stores of cur rich
est merchants as we'll as those of the poorest
Your reference to the rich man with his car
rage, and the poor man with his dray, fur
nlshes you no argument whatever. If the
rich man uses his carriage in the loay of
regular business, he will be indicted, Just as
u, L, 4 a.
hand, the poor man uses his dray, not for
business, but as carriage, he will not be
nlO!ested, enjoying the same immunity as the
rica man. Let the law speak for itself. IT
makes it an offense ito drive though
the Taxing District on Sunday any
wagon, or any vehicle for like purpose; or to
drive on that day for hire any dray, wagon
or other vehicle for the trailSpOrtat ion of
goods, aeareS and other merchandise" But
again: Your objection, as stated, is liable to
even graver criticism. 1t applies not only to
the law itself, but to those whose duty it is
to enforce it. You ask: ''Wiil the general
order be impartially carried out?" as be.
tween the rich and the poor Does not this
question touch the official, and even the per-
sonal honor of cur euthorItiesp Certainly
they lOiJ administer the law impartially
They are not corrupt men. The intimation
that they will show favor to one class rather
imam another Is UNJUST. What must people
abroad think of Memphis when they rad
that law cannot be enforced here, and that
even those whose duty it Is to enforce it can.
not be trusted to 10 their duty without fear.
favor or affection? The poor man knows
well MS true friends. They are those who
would give hum a day of rest. He needs
such day. His body requires
it. His soul demands it. He wishes a Sun
day which he can spend out of his working
clothes; which be can spend with his family:
a day IL which he can go to church with kis
wife and children. In this busy age there is
not much time for rest. We all are tempted
to encroach upon our hours of rerose Many
men are working from morning until mid.
night. Already there are but too many posi-
tons from which all are excluded who are not
willing to work on Sunday. There is danger
that in the near future the poor man and his
children viii work from Monday morning I'M
til Sunday night. The ldO t0hich sares hin,
has Sunday is i0iSe and mercifuI, commend
ing Itself to both the statesman and the
philanthropist.i TRUTH.
SeWing-Machines! SeWing-Machines