The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-14
The Hon. george r. Talbot Asked
Some Questions.

~ ttO A1htCOI VI UtC 4 ICoos
A lengthy article In the Argus Of Satur-
day has doubtless been read by many who
do not read that paper regularly, and so I
ask the privilege OF asking a few questions
through your columns as we'll. Life is short
and must not tempt eternity by attempting
to answer In detail the three and one-half
column ar ticle of Mr.. Talbot. on the Sun
day question. Furthermore, he says that
Flaw is to be discussed with lawyers. criti-
cised with critics, aud scientific questions
with persons Of scientific knowledge"
agree with him. and so won't attempt to
discuss the theological or biblical aspect of
the case with one whose article obviously
shows that he is not theological or biblical
scholar. But want to ask him few cues.
tlons.
First-Is there such an institution among
us as the Lords Day. and is 1t recognized by
our law?
SecOnd-.Does our law provide for Its pro-
lection and preservation?
Thirds 1t the duty OF the government to
see that this law has reasonable interpreta-
tion and enforcement?
FOurth-ls measure which Is admitted by
Mr., Talbot to be an infraction of the law, to
be dealt with according to the law OF accord
Ing to some persons idea OF what the law
should be?
Flfth-Are we to understand Mr.. Talbot.
while admitting that the law exists, to plead
that IL shall be broken?
Sixth-Do we understand him to plead that
In order to obtain the means to break this
law q second law shall be violated. !. G. shall
an illegal appropriation Of money be made
In order to do second illegal tbing2
Seventh--ls the city government, the mem
bers of which are under oath to enforce the
law. to break the law?
Eighth-Is this the kind Of example to set
before the people who are supposed TO re-
spect those whom they place in authority?
Ninth-lf they are to override this law,
regardless OF right or protest. who shall hin
der them from breaking any other law which
obstructs their purposes?
Tenth-Is it fair to cloud the issue by the
Introduction Of any mans ideas of what he
ecy OF what will be?
Eleyenth-Does calling a statute obsolete
have the force of repeal?
Twelfth-Who Is to say when law Is OBJ
solete?
Thirteenth-If Mr.. Talbot's aestheticIsm
makes him fear that the English and their
descendants in this country" are too coarse
IN their pleasures" 20 use without abusing
the continental Sunday, why does he appear
as the apologist Of the beginning Of such a
thing?
Fourteenth-What point is there, in this
connection, to the wish that our national
character and temperament were better fit
ted to borrow from France, Germany and
Italy (save usl many OF the Sunday prac-
tices In which they delight. Is the cOmpari-
sen between us and those people humiliatlng
to MIR. TaiuCtf.--~
Fiiteenth-Mr. Tabor, ought you not, when
Ioadlng your gun with ammunlLiUG from the
Encyclopedias Brittanica (see volume u,
page l24, and volume %. page 654) In ali
fairness, to have consulted the articles by
American scholars In the American supple
ment to the same work, rather than cOnfine
your investigations to the articles by En-
glish and German rationalistic writers In the
body OF the work, when the preface state;
tnat on account of the unfair treatment bib
llcal subjects received from them, IL was
necessary to have American scholars of ac-
knowledged equal ability and learning treat
the subjects again, and In this trea tment
SNOW not only equally thorough knowledge
Oh the original languages, but also a more
thorough sitting Of the evidences?
I. L. McDoNALD.