Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-20
RErReGRsssIoH.

The party in power will repeal the Sum-
day law. This was to have been expected,
since the party in power is dominated by
those elements of national life adverse, by
natural instincts, to the restraints i'm
posed by such laws. But the repeal will
not be the end of this matter. Nothing is
ever settled until it reaches adjustment on
the basis of right. Law follows, but sci.
dom leads, the advancement of civilized
ideas. Things once considered harmless
become harmful when viewed from the
higher planes of moral ideas, and legisla-
ton confirming and crystallizing the ad-
vancement made will inevitably ensue
One day out Of seven devoted TO rest, re-
Taxation and to social, intellectual and re-
ligious pursuits and contemplation, is one
of the imperative demands OF civilized
society. That such day should be main.
tanned by appropriate legislation, ID both
reasonable and desirable The rereal in
progress is in response to one of those
irregular passions engendered by the false
issues of political campaign. The de.
mand proceeds from that class of persons
who follow business occupations which
may be proftably pursued on Sunday.
The repeal has definite, concrete object,
to wit To open the saloons on Sunday.
This demand is reinforced by all those who
resent the legal enforcement of any re-
ligious observance. The Sabbath, from
an orthodox standpoint, is divine insti.
tuition. It exists, and should be OBJ.
served, according to religious teachings,
because it was instituted and its observ-
ance commanded by Divine fat. To desc.
crate this day, in the theories of the
believers in revealed religion, is a sin,
because an act of disobedience to the
commands of God. If all controversy over
the question Of fact as to whether the day
had this august origin, and its hallowed
observances have this sublime authority,
could be settled, the case would be closed,
for even a Democratic Legislature would
scarcely be willing to assume the RESPONSE.
bility OF repeating law go closely follow.
ing the commands of the Almighty. But
the question of fact is an open one, and We
are in fair way to know just how ma.
jority of the members of the Legislature
regard that portion of divine revelation. >
Now the large majority of those who dc
not believe that God I" hallowed " the sew.
enth day, and who deny that he com.
manded men to keep it holy" resent the
thought of having this supposed Divine
institution recognized by law and reinsti.
tuted by human statutes. But there are
none to desire the abolition of the day.
The toilers of life, by whose energy and
labor the worlds industries move on, dc
not ask for the repeal of any law designed
to maintain this institution among men.
The merchant, whose active thought pro.
pels the wheels of commerce, does not de-
mand the abrogation of all legal recognition
of day that gives rest to the overtaxed
brain the professions do not clamor for
the humiliation of such reinforcement OF
an observance which, one day in seven,
closes the arenas of life's conflicts, and
brings rest to the energies and repose to
the mind the wife, the mother, the chill.
dren, and all that constitute the highest
associations of domestic ties and human af.
fections, do not find the law a restraint.
None of these real forces of civilization are
in the lobby urging the repeal of the Sun
day law and the extinction of the civil
Sabbath, and these are the forces which
sooner or later make the law of public
opinion and direct the onward march OF
thought.
Z" Freedoms battle once begun,
Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son,
Though often lost is ever won."