The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Enforcement of Law.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
Now that the question of laws is being
agitated, it behooves every thinking and law
abiding citizen to lift his voice and keep the ball
rolling until those whose business it is to execute
the law do their duty, and those who make laws
see the necessity and make such as the times
require. That laws, when found good, should
ever be. changed to suit persons and times is
incomprehensible, and not in keeping with sound
reason or nobility of mind.
Of course, too, many laws, especially those
which might be called red tape, weaken the gen.
eral laws which are the strongholds to nations
prosperity, and the happiness of people
'They are governed best who are governed
least" may be demonstrated with individuals,
but never.with state or nation That laws
are necessary is unquestoned. Since the first
code was handed to Moses which was the
foundation, laws have been made through all the
ages And now that the United States has
struggled and triumphed through all the perse-
cutions and warfare incident to an independent
beginning, feeling secure, has become lax in the
enforcement of its laws when most needed-be-
leg ever in danger from the mixed races which
are drawn hither on account of the liberty which
1t proclaims. To begin with that which should
be the first law. These mixed nation
aities have six days in which to ply
legitimate trades and vocations with
perfect liberty; then the seventh should be
observed according to the commandment given
to Moses and the example set by the Creator
LII there is not national law regulating the OBJ
servance of the Sabbath day, there ought TO be
one, and forever end this pickering in States
That the moral law is not sufficient is evident
The Sabbath day must be kept holy. We can
not prosper as a Nation without it. Our fore
fathers recognized the Creator in all things their
first act being to kneel and give thanks to Him.
They observed the Sabbath rigidly. That we
have departed from the rigdty is right But
that we are becoming too liberal is very appar-
ent, and is wrong. Ii is not necessary to 60 to
church. especially if being there Irritates one.
But it is a good place to 60, and no one will
deny that there are times when going and sim
ply hearing the hymns will bring rest, peace
and elevation that everything else has failed to
do. But no matter whether at church or in
suitable reading, conversation or enjoying
the beauties of nature, the day is spent
the Sabbath must be observed. The
sooner the proper authority is exercised, the
easier Will be the execution. The United States
procaims liberty-that is the watchword 1t is
for individuals. freedom to act and reason and
believe But the nation must have laws and
they must be kept The Boston Budget says:
"Our Israelitish brethren abstain from general
labor and business on Saturday, and they are
entitled to protection and respect" If they have
ever even been ANNOYED in their belief or OBJ
servance of that day, it has never been made
known: but, on the contrary, have the liberty to
keep their feasts and SabbatEday as they see
proper, which they cannot do everywhere. AS
they have that privilege day--the nations
Saooath you might say, or the Christian Sab
bath-must also be observed. 1t further says:
lin fact it is impracticable, unwise, and, in
deed, impossible to regulate by law the religious
observance of the Sabbath" Just what is
meant by religious observance we cannot say
but it is known no one is forced into one belief
or compelled to attend divine services or observe
the Sabbath according to one belief That the
day ought TO be observed according to the com
mandment, who believes in God or has
respect for the lessons taught by the Pilgrim
band. will deny. AS the law is enforced on the
Sabbath day, so should it be in each succeeding
day, especially those laws which secure peace
and good order. Then indeed will there be
religious and civil liberty A.