Evening star., 1880-01-31
THE EVENING STAR,
DOUBLE SHEET.
The Bras. BAND Hill and Congress.

AAV ARh0Se Abnhaes Skuu SOu&TCSSs
Editor Nar:-Wili you permit one who has
some acquaintance with the subject to submit
few thoughts, through your columns, In regard
to what is known as the Grassland bill, now
pending before Congress, and which proposes to
prohibit all music at the regular Inspections
and dress parades OF the army on the Sabbath
This is an Old question, which has often been
agitated without any practical result The
writer of this article has been raised with the
StricteSt ideas OF the Sanctity of the Sabbath
and fully believes that. the dearest interests of
individuals and nations depend upon its sacred
observance. And yet it is perfectly plain that
works OF necessity and mercy are clearly
recognized in the New Testament. and there
fore IT is lawful and right TO perform them on
the sacred day. No one in his sober senses will
contend that it is a violation OF the fourth CON-
mandment TO pull an OK out of the pit and To
pluck the ears OF corn from the stalk to relieve
the tafnlSnlng nature OF man on the L0tdS day.
Christian writers OF all ages Concede the neces
sity and propr.ety OF defending the country In
time OF war, staying the progress of fire and
nood. ana the propulsion OF vessels on the hign
seas on the Sabbath. The very existence OF
society and government Is based on a recogni-
ton OF these facts.
Now. as to the matter In hand we are of
opinion that the dress parade of the army
might be dispensed with on Sunday afternoon
without detriment to the public service. But
this is matter that can be easily controlled BY
the commander of each post, apart from any
Congressional legislation. And If Congress does
decide to take any acton at all on the subieco.
1 Il
change OF this one old custom. President Lin
coin Issued an order against the dress parade
on the Sabbath, but after him it was deemed
necessary 10 reeStabliSh il.
The Sunday morning inspection, however is
doubtless Indispensable to the m0ra'e of the
army. Is it not true that every respectable
family in the land has its Sunday morning in-
spection, when children and servants are in
spected as to their personal cleanliness and
clothing and general fitness for the duties and
services OF the holy day? This Is all that in
in mill itart q,
can be any more harmful to inspect soldiers
than citizens on the sabbath 1t is utterly beyond
Our power to perceive. This important hygienic
regulation Is cotemporaneOus with the progress
of ancient and modern warfare and obtains to-
day in all the great armies OF Europe and to
abolish 1t would be blow at the health ard
morals of the army of the United States. Mr..
Webster has spoken eloquently OF England's
morning drum-beat following the sun and cir-
cling the globe.
When Gen. Cass, a conscientious Christian
gentleman, was Secretary OF War, be suspended
allntlitary exercises on Sunday, but before the
close of his term Re was convinced OF the neceS-
SHY of restoring them in their completeness and
constancy. Our thorough conviction is that
| this whole subject ought to be allowed to re-
| main just where 1t has remained from the foun-
| cation Oh the government, and that is with the
| President of the United States the commander
| fn-chief OF the army and navy. We fear that
whenever Congress begins the work of leglslat-
| ing on Sabbath observances that it may open
| the door for flood of petitions and
| infdel sects and societies in the land
| in supgort Of their peculiar theories
| on this subject. The glory of the American
Constitution is the free liberation of all religious
| creeds and modes of worship, and whenever our
statesmen and legislators lose sight OF this fun
damental principle they lay the axe to the root
| OF the great tree of republican liberty. We
| have the best evidence for saying that
| large majority OF the people of At
| lanta, Georgia, where this whole dis
| cussion recently arose. do not desire any
action on the part OF Congress in this
case. They are perfectly willing to let
the general Ipf the army regulate all the
details of The service. The soldiers at
Mcpherson Barracks have always maintained
the highest order and decorum towards the
citizens of that place ana annually distribute
many thousands OF dollars among them so that
1t would prove serious loss to this enterpris-
ing city OF the south if it should be left to share
the unhappy fate of Carlisle when some OF Its
preachers and people assumed the province OF
dictators in relation to the management of the
garrison at that point. CANDoR