The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-14

Of Virginia, and on that point quite enough
has Just been said.
In vain, therefore, do seek Tor any soliC
argument to show that the Sunday liquor
law az II now exists il either unjust, Oi
pernlcions. or contrary 10 the spirH Of ouJ
/ Institutions. or that 1t would be conducive
to public utility, or in any way reasonably
desirable that the strictness which secures
the Observance OF the law should be in any
way relaxed. And II, on the other hshd.
we were TO consult those whose Interests
gre most yitally involved in the question,
there cln be no doubt what would be the
/ res DOnse. Let us ask the wives who trem-
Bile when payday comes, and whose hearts
are wrung by neglect and maybe by HARSH
ness which only drink could make their
husbands guilty of; let us ask fathers and
mothers who mouI over some noble boy
/ too early led astray by the tempfer drink ;
/ let Us ask the children. the growing hope Of
the world. whose future so largely depends
on the care and the example OF their
/ fathers and elder brothers; let us ask
oar country, who 100 often has rel-
son for dread when her head is
reeIing through the potailons OF her rnling
thinking men, and her whole frame stag
gering through the indulgence In drink Of
/ the working classes, who are her bone and
! sinew; let us ask them all whether they de-
sire an increase Of facilities and temptations
to drink on the day when leisure would
make facilities and temptations the most
dangerous; and we know that from one and
all OF them would come No which must
thrill through every heart, and which legis-
] tors ought not 10 disregard. And il, above
all. we ask orr Father in Heaven the queS-
~. In, tl,ut
must lind their echo in every right con-
science. lie does not desire, indeed, that
| His children should look upon His day as a
day Of gloom. or that they should spend it
as il in straight-jacket: but he could not
approve OF or allow what would inevitably
lead not only to violations. Of the sanciy of
the day. out also to domestic unhappiness,
/ to social immortality, and TO public disorder.
! Thus far, kind hearers, / have spoken as
| your fellOw-citiZen and your fell0w-man.
No doubt the prOpriety OF my official posi-
ton demands that ! should add a word rs a
| Catholic bishop, and with that | will con-
clude. To say all in the briefest manner, |
declare that there is not word that | have
! said as man and rs Il citizen which do
not equally and even far more emphatcally
reiterate n Catholic bishop. | have not
agitation which we here deprecate tonight.
But should there be any, he certainly would
be acting in direct opposition to the spirit
OF his Chuch. His act would bring pain
, to her heart and blush 10 her cheek; and he
would know that he was fcting in direct
| opposition TO the letter and spirit OF the IN.
struction on this subject given to all under
my spiritual charge in my pastoral letter Of
one year ago. | shall keep the hope in my
heart that not one OF them could labor for,
or even desire, what they well know would
be a PROCLAMATION Of the Lords day. On
the contrary, such inquiry as | have been
able TO make shows me that what they
desire is not that any should be allowed to
keep open. but that GN should be forced to
keep closed in order that there may not be
an unfair business discrimination against
those whose sense OF duty fOrb0S them to
| sell. What they would ask therefore,
would not be IN abolition OF the law. or
mitigation of the law, but its stricter
observance and more rigid enforcement.
For that |, together with them, most earn
eSty ask. We will do cur best to bring
moral influences to bear, without which
civil legislation could never suffice. But
SYc also ask the a;d of the civil law to di-
mnish public mptation>, tor experience
cannot stem the torrent OF evil influences
| sincerely believe that in my remarks
have said nothing that is not true and rea
sonable, and | sincerely trust that | hay
said nothing hurtful " any ones feelings
Ny words have been animated by an earne>
desire for the public welfare and by strOn;
convictions OF what is necessary for Socur
ing il; and | earnestly hope that all gO0t
men will share in the convictions, and, b,
all legal means, will calmly but firmly main
tain them.
The remarks Oi the Bishop were receive
with great favor, produced 4 profound i'm
preston. and received with tie st libera
applause the applause at the close OF til
= speech lasting for some minutes.
After the speech Of Bishop keaue the fO
lowing
RESOLUTIONS WERE OFFERED
By Mr.. J. Taylor Ellyson and unanimousl
adopted:
RESOLUTIONS.
The citizens Of Richmond, in public meet
ing assembled. believing that the presen
laws OF Virginia in regard to the sale o
liquors on sunday have produced she mos
salutarv results on the peace and good orde
! OF this city, and that their faithful 0bSerN
ance Will be beneficial 10 all classes OF III
community. therefore
: l. ReSOIred, That our own representi
F, tives in the General Assembly be, and the
! are hereby. requested to oppose the change
proposed in the present law.
, .. ReS0ired, That we respectfully ask a
the members OF the General Assembly
allow the laws on this subject TO remain {
they now are, so far as tney affect the cit
OF Richmond.
REV. X. S. BARRETT
, was next introduced by tue Chairman, an
, was warmly welcomed by the large al
dience. Mr.. Barrett said he represented
| particular class
e TUE ARIsTOCRACY OF HARD LABOR.
I live in Bntchertown. fGrcat cheeriDg.l
think | can say what some OF the Equo
dealers cannot say--that have in my hun
: bic sphere done something for the beneht
= the poor man. | have lived among then
= | love them, and in their name protest III
this law Is discrimination In favor OF II
: rich man and detrimental to the poor mai
> The dealers do not visit these poor men
=. their bones aS | do They do not see u
Il suffering Of their wives and children
u those who do. phe rich man spends h
/ own money for gsm. but the poor man u
money which should buy bread for the
s wives and children. 1t is As their frieI
It and representative that protest against I
= repeal of this law, and in favor OF t
q strictest observance OF the Sabbath day.
e Mr.. Barrett's brief but earnest spec
e was loudly cheered.
y Judge Robert Ould was next Introduce
o and received with great cheering.
- JUDGE OULD's SPEECH.