The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-09-21
A SENSIBLE DECISION.

Ihnt man or woman u justly AtbeNNN 10
a very ignorant one who has not heard OF
the old blue laws, and the man or woman
who now justiies or advocates the extreme
statues contained therein is just as cor
rectly esteemed q very fanatical one. Con-
necticut has been for many years cele-
brated as one Of the original localities
where these laws tlourished in their great
est glory aud as a section where their inilu-
ence was continuing in considerable force.
Still Connecticut is by no means alone as a
state where the civil authorities continue
TO usurp the right of the citizen to deter
mine for himself in matters OF conscience.
Nearly all the states have upon their stat
ute books enactments of a tlagrantly viola
tive character of the rights of the individ-
ual conscience, but in most of them they
are tactly allowed to sleep without any in
terruption. Often some new broom" at
tempts a clean sweep, or some ignorant
fanatic insists on dragging out and
enforcing these modern dilutions OF the
Blue Book, and examining his views prac-
tically into those who theoretically are as
far from him as are the poles apart and
equally as harmless in their faith to the real
interests of the state and society. But
such cases are fortunately the exception
rather than the rule, thanks To America q
liberal thought, and by common and
tacit understanding between the citizen
and the guardian OF the peace, men are al
lowed from religious standpoint to dc
pretty much AS they pleasc-to play or
pray, to use Sunday or Monday as their i'm
pulses dictate. One OF the exceptions to
the rule, however, occurred in New Haven
the other day, but was speedily "set down
on" by sensible and just judge, and the
Nutmeg State ought to congratulate itsel
on having at least one liberal minded jurisi
in its service. Under the Connecticut
statute against labor on Sunday or iolliii
cation of any kind, except in cases
of direct necessity, the managers of on,
of the Sunday excursions We're arrested and
nrraigned. The judge before whom they
were taken discharged them, and in th,
course of his decision remarked that "som,
things may he necessary and mercitul in I
crowded city which would be neither in /
farming district" In this remark thu
judge furnishes the skeleton key for unlock
ing all such questions, 1t is not whether ,
fact is in opposition to II creed, or violativ,
of the articles of belief of any one class, o
sect, or antagonistic to II theory of propriety
and right, but whether the circumstance
suu rounding the act are such rs to iniur,
the state and society, or, on the other hand
unobjectionable and beneficial. If the lat
ter, If the citizen is benefited aud aided il
his daily toll, his conduct cannot. he pun
ishable in the courts in law or equity, what
ever religious views he may shock or cree,
antagonilo. Matters Of this character ar
| purely Of II civil character, such as atlec
the welfare of society, and are to b.
handled from such standpoint mere
ly. As long AZ nation in
sisis upon relb ious liberation within it
| borders, 1t Is maniestly absurd 10 settl
matters Of conscience in accordance will
any one scct's principles of faith, in fact n
other plan than one of utility can b
adopted for settlement. The Connection
judge therefore acted wisely in simply ba,
ing his decision with reference to the Al
rested excursionSts upon considerations {
humanity and utility, and when lcgisla
lures rs well, recognize the fact that excul
sions, musical concerts, theatrical and otho
gatherings, free from immoral or rowd
features, are to the tired and rcdundan
populations of the trade centres, no matte
what the day, occasions OF rest and rencwa
of expended energies aud seasons oi artua
growth and health, a better and happic
and none the less moral class of people wi
be found everywhere in America. \
ounce of common sense and libcrality
worth ton OF ignorance and auaticism,