The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-17
THE SUNDAY LAWS.
LETTER FROM REV. c. B. GALLOWAY

To the Editor of the Commercial:
THE CLARION contains extracts from the
able charge of Hon. J. NJ. Arnold, to the
Grand jury of Lowndes county, in October,
1880, on the enforcement of the Sunday
laws. 1t is well worth the calm perusal of
every citizen in Mississippi. For its mas
terly array of evidence and skilIful presen-
tation of the law, it is an honor to the culture
as we'll as official fidelity Of the distinguished
author. 1t has especial adaptation to this
latitude. Here, where the law is despised
and its friends, who have the manliness to
defend it, are sneered at as fools and fanat-
les, it ought to be printed on door posts and
published from the housetops. May be, if
some we wot of, would read the opinions of
the Supreme Courts of Illinois, Massachu-
sets and Indiana, and the eloquent utter>
ances of Blackstone, Bishop, Edward
Everett, Daniel Webster and Lord Beacons-
field, they would be convinced there is
something more in Sabbath observance than
mere pulpit rant and cant.
Sunday is a civil day-with its religious
observance, the law has nothing u do. Yet
this distinction, many have not the power
to make. As against the enforcement of
law, they raise the cry of ''puritanism,"
religious prosecutions" and "abridging the
rights of conscience" In this they display
more spleen than brains. For the great
moral ends of society, the day has been
subjected to statutory regulations. Not to
make men religious--not to compel atten>
dance upon any church service-nos to
command the adoption of any particular
creed-not to force any one to spend the
day in saying prayers and singing psalms
but, to conserve the civil interests of gov>
ernment-its moral, commercial, industrial
and social welfare. The necessity for a
Sabbath is founded in the very constitution
of mans nature. His physical life demands
it, Its continued violation will greatly
shorten human existence. This is true of
society and government. France tried the
experiment of abolishing the Sabbath, and
inaugurated the "reign of terror" which
drenched the land with blood. Mr., Bishop,
as quoted by Judge Arnold, says. sit is
the corner stone Of public morality and hap
piness viewed merely as civil regulation /;
its observance contributes to the public
repose, health, moral and convenience, as
well as religion" And this opinion is
supported by Daniel Webster, one of the
greatest of American statesmen. 1T is by
the reiterated instructions and impressions
which the Sabbath imparts to- the popula-
ton of nation, by the moral principle
which it forms, by the conscience which it
maintains, by the habits of method, cleanli-
ness and industry it creates, by the rest and
renovated vigor it bestows upon exhausted
human nature, by the heightened life and
higher health it affords, by the holiness it
inspires, and cheering hopes of heaven and
the protection and favor of God, which its
observance insures, that the Sabbath is
rendered the moral conservator of nations"
This is the language of statesman, and not
a parson--of a patriot and not fanatic
Surely to his extensive observative and
profound thinking, Sabbath dissertation was
not a 'sminor ofense" to be lightly es-
teemed.
But apart from the numerous and wise
reasons for Sunday legislation, thequestion
of enforcement on the one hand, and obedi-
ence on the other, commands attention
The law is written its language is plain,
and comprehensive to the most obtuse !;
every officer takes an oath to enforce it !;
every citizen is pledged to obey it; whether
wise or unwise, according to cur wisdom,
the law must be enforced until repealed.
No man is worthy the name of patriot or
citizen, or deserves the trust of Office or the
franchise, who can be swerved from manly
course of right and duty, by the silly ridf-
eule of the lawless and vulgar. Our course
must either be a trayesty or trust.