Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-14
SUNDAY LAWS AND ORDI-
NANCES.
Let Them be Enforced

Correspondence of the Register.
1t is conceded by all intelligent Chris
tians that the ministry and the Sabbath
are the main bulwarks of Christianity.
Against these Robert Ingersoll, true to
his principles-or rather, want OF prin-
ciple, conducts his chief assaults. Should
not Christians, thefore, learn an import
ant lesson IRON the worldly wisdom OF
this bold and reckless disorganizer? 1t
is admitted that We have Sunday laws
and ordinances, but it is very obvious
that they are not properly enforced in
this city.
We observe that on Sundays the
drinking saloons seem to be closed, and
we shall assume that this is not a false
seeming; but We notice an increasing
tendency on the part OF other establish
ments to keep open on Sunday. The
drug stores seem to be kept open by
general consent, as a matter OF pub
lie necessity. But do they confne
themselves to the filling OF prescriptions,
or do they deal in other articles in their
liner The tobacconists keep open, es-
pecially those on Market street, between
the McLure House and the creek bridge
But from what necessity, or by what au-
thority2 Ii the use Of liquid intoxicants
is an evil and curse, is the use OF
tobacco any less so? The restaurants
and candy-shOps, on the same street, are
kept open. Have they any license for
so doing?
Now let us understand this matter. II
we have Sunday laws and ordinances,
why are they not enforced upon all
alike? We are not bigoted on this sub
ieCt, but desire TO see each case decided
on its own merits. If there are practices
observed among religiOnists contrary TO
the Sunday laws, by all means let the
law be enforced against them. But If
other violators of the law plead this
merely as a covering, or excuse, Tor their
own delinquencies, let them be stripped
of their disguise and proceeded against
according to law. Let each case be dis
posed of on its own merits, but let no
guilty person escape. Who will move
in this matter? The observance of the
Sabbath is one of the main pillars OF So
ciety, and must be sustained, no matter
who may throw distractions in the way.
To say that enforcing the Sunday laws
is acting in the interest OF priestcraft IS
what every sensible and candid man
knows to be false. Public policy, the
public welfare, demands it. We will
not discuss this point, at present, but
simply state the fact, and affirm that the
proof is abundant. 1t is enough for us
to know, at present, that we have Sun
dav laws and ordinances, and press the
inquiry: Why are they not enforced?
1t seems 10 us that the Chief OF Po-
lice should have some concern in
this matter. Is he waiting for some
one TO turn informer? Does he do
this IN every case? Is it not the
duty of every policemanto to keep sharp
lookout for violations OF the law? We
have directed the attention OF the police
to the street, and to the very square,
where the evil complained OF exists;
will they not be kind enough now to
look after it? We do not doubt the
willingness of the police to do their duty
in this matter, but so long as the public
seem TO acquiesce in the evil, the police
are not likely to be very jealous in root
ing it out, and it will continue to grow
rapidly until it becomes an intolerable
nuisance.
If the parties referred to persist in
violating the Sunday laws, you may hear
from us again on this subject. Meanwhile,
what are the clergy doing? Are they
sleeping at their post, or preaching COM
mon platitudes, while the Bob lnger-
soils of the day are laboring earnestly,
and alas! too successfully TO break
down the strongholds of Christianity.
Ii the clergy are losing their hold on the
public mind, which some allege, but
which We trust is not true, may not one
cause of this be, that in their pulpit
ministrations they dwell too much on
the doctrinal and experimental, and too
little on the subject of public and priv
ate morals. Writing from a friendly
standpoint, We would respectfully urge
upon the clergy OF this city to hold this
matter under serious advisement.
IMPARTIAL.