The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-06-30
For THE CLARION.
Railroad Sabbath Desecration-Why
Allowed?

Whilst the right of the State to regulate
railroad charges Is questioned by many, its
authority TO prevent by law all violations OF
the Sabbath, except that involved in carry
ing the United States mail, Is conceded by
all. There Is no good reason why the run
ming of freight trains and all ordinary work
by the employees of railroads should not be
prohibited on the Sabbath day, whilst there
are many welghty reasons IN favor OF such
prohibition. Ii there were no Bible and no
Christian religion, it would be wise for one
day in seven to be set apart by law as a day
of rest that is required by the physical
nature of man and beast, and moreover,
SabbaJical cessation from labor is necessary
to the full development of the domestic
and other better feelings of the
human heart. Husbands and wives, parents
and children, should be allowed stated
periods of exemption from labor and care,
that they may enjoy each Others society
and the pleasures of home. And when to
these We add religious considerations, the
argument in favor OF Sabbath laws appli-
cable alike to corporations and individuals,
becomes irresistible No Sabbath, no
Christian religion, no sound morals, no
truth or justice or true charity; and with
out these man is barbarian and ruthan,
and human progress impossible.
We now have the Chicago, st. Louis and
New Orleans the Mobile and Ohio, the
Vicksburg and Meridian, and the Tennessee
and Mississippi ri ~ lIrr0ads traversing the
state from north to south and from east to
west, with several others under construc-
ton, and still others in contemplation and
it. as is now the case the Sabbath is TO be
abolished as to all railroads, the result soon
will be its virtual abolition within the
limits of the State. Ii it is right that the
farmer, the mechanic, the merchant the
lawyer and the ofiicehOlder should be re-
CURED to observe the Sabbath why is il
not right that the same law should apply to
railroads and their officers and employees ?
In South Carolina and Georgia, we know,
and in several other States, we believe,
are subject to the same Sunday
laws that are obligatory upon others, except
as to the running of the United States mail
trains, and such should be the law every
where. Indeed, it would be right, and
therefore best for the welfare of the COM
if mails, and postotices also, were
suspended on the Sabbath day. But Mis-
sissippians are only responsible tor that
which they have the power to control.
A few weeks since the writer spent a
Sabbath in Water Valley, and such was the
of trains, blowing of whistles and
stir of railroad officials and employees, that
it seemed the busiest day OF the week. 1t
is impossible that this condition of things
can be otherwise than demoraizing, and
that it is greatly deplored by the Christians
Of the place and the railroad employees, the
writer can testify, since he heard from them
many expressions of their opinions and
wishes concerning this Sabbath work.
Where are the consciences of Christian
stockholders in these Sabbath-breaking
and what are our ministers about /
hat no voice of remonstrance or warning is !
ever heard on this subject
4 VOTER.