Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-06-04
SUNDAY LAWS.
Interview with . (aentlemanWeIl Posted
on This Mach.Agitated Question.

VIC RssAs VI esaA tuat GOuiu US per
suaded into q covenant to devote
that day to religion; but when it
came to demanding that the state or
municipality should enforce such
Sunday observance upon the general
public by prohibitions, fines and im-
prisonments, all of which must neces-
sarily be determined and put into ef-
feet by civil authority, the clergy are
not only mounting the political ros-
trum but also agitating for q funda-
mental change Of organic law invasive
of personal liberty. I do not charge
that the clergy as a body aim at
such an end but that excess Of zeal
blinds them and their supporters to
the necessary consequences Of grant
ing what they demand. All 1.-The
church has right to insist on has
been fully conceded, and its priv
ilges are in no danger Of being in
terfered with or left without pro-
lection. What the church really
needs is higher and more thorough
appropriation of what constitutional
secures to it. Few OF the
clergy have sufficient courage Of
conviction from their expressed
opinions to discipline such Of their
followers as they think misuse Sunday
Is there a church anywhere that
Furnishes its members in any way
beyond lecturing at them for wash
ing, shaving, smoking, riding, chew
ing, or even moderate drinking on
that day? I believe that I am in
sympathy with all that can be prop
erly demanded for Sunday. 1t is
painful for me to observe many
things done on that day that do not
excite similar feelings ON other
days. To many disinclined to dis
sipation Sunday is an idle, listless,
meaningless and Improbable day, to
whom it might be time for educa-
tional and spiritual aspiration and
uprising as well as for physical re-
cuperation. To such the church
should shine az light. Its services
should be made more attractive and
That cannot be done by the discus
sion Of civil topics for the purpose o1
telling law makers how to legislatt
and citizens how to vote. Its mem
bership should also set higher ex
ample. Why should outsiders b
prohibited by them from doing wha1
they themselves do without chal'
lenge? Do they hesitate to shave OF
Sunday. or smoke or chew between
sermons. or yawn, or loll, or stuff
or walk, or ride, or recreate, or reai
the papers and their letters on Sun
day? II not, with what reason Cal
they insist that everybody els
should? IF, with the advantages en-
joyed. the privileges Of meeting
preaching and administering right
under the protection of Law
| the preachers cannot reach the pub
lie conscience and persuade men t
think and act as they profess t
think they ought, at whose doc
does the disappointment lie but thei
own? Such a condition Of sent
ment may be lamentable; but never
theless cannot justify civil re
strainment of natural liberty as a
aid in overcoming it. Under on
laws there can be neither establish
ment or enforced hurch-attendanc
or support, and if these laws wer
altered the sects themselves woul
be the first to realize and deplore tt
consequences.
"Do I understand you to say th'
the state has no right to regula'
Sunday observance?"
'sNone whatever, except such as
, derives from its conceded poll
: powers, which are applicable to
days.
Il "Why, then, does the State prohit
!, Sunday labor, Sunday business, al
, Sunday dram-selling?7
"The state does this as poll
regulation; not to prescribe
|. religion, but to promote the pub
, peace and welfare. The enforl
!, ment of weekly day OF rest is
necessary sanitary precaution. B
I when Sunday is merely q day
idleness and listlessness it furnish
d greater opportunities for self
Q diligence and mischief than 9th
q days and therefore demands stric,
!, police regulations !; the closing of I
saloons and stores, the prevention
/ gambling and racing and discouras
= ment OF assemblies for other than
Y ligious, educational and recreati
;. purposes. In this state Sunday
4 fully and judiciously regulated
u the Legislature, which has exclus
y jurisdiction of it except where spec
powers have been conferred NJ
r cities. For instance, the town
Mexico il authorized to regul
de saloons, theatres and shows
D. suppress gambling, cessation q
q labor, but can only demand licen
n from merchants and druggists v
%; out interfering with business or
un forcing cessation Of 1t or labor.
re
The strength Of the Commnn
,ds has been underTatAd. 1t only 4