The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-03
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

Some weeks ago mention was made In THE
CALL of a queer case that had arisen in
Tennessee. One King, who belonged to a
curious sect of religionists which does not
acknowledge the sanctity OF Sunday, chose
that day TO plow his field. The field was
not near church, nor did he disturb divine
service by pursuing bis work. But he broke
a section Of the code of Tennessee and was
arrested therefor, taken before Justice OF
the Peace and fined. He appealed the case,
and the fine was increased. He then took
an appeal TO the Supreme Court Of Tennes-
see, which not only confirmed the judgment
of the court below, but added Imprisonment
to the fine. Then, in some way or other, he
managed 10 bring his case before the United
States Court, which has Just refused to in
terfere. Ii must be understood that the
United States Judge did not pass upon the
merits of the case, but merely adhered to
the doctrine that the United States courts
will not undertake to correct State courts in
interpreting State statutes in which no inter-
est of the United States is involved. On
the decision OF the United States Judge
final appeal was taken to the Supreme
Court at Washington.
The people of each State are entitled to
make their own laws in accordance with the
opinions which prevail among them. II
TenDesseeans cannot bear the sight of
man blowing field on Sunday they have
right to prohibit the practice by statute,
and any one who infringes the statute must
bear the penalty. If he doesn't like the
law he can either try to have it altered or he
can leave the State. But SO long as the law
remains On the statute book he must sub
mir, DO matter how illibeTal it may seem.
1t is the sense of the race to which we be-
long that general cessation from work
should mark a difference between Sunday
and week days. That is the rule generally
in Protestant countries, though in Prussia
and Switzerland. which are Protestant,
there is but slight show of enforcing Sum-
day laws. In Catholic countries. as a rule,
there are not many regulations upon the
subject. In Paris many Of the stores are
open till 10 or l on Sundays. After that
hour they close; not as matter of religious
observance, but in order to give their work
ing force a holiday. In most of the States
of the Union there are statutes against the
transaction of business on Sunday, and pub
lie offices and public institutions are closed.
But Congress has set the example of hold
ing sessions and transacting business even
upon Sunday in case of emergency.
In most of our cities the Sunday laws are
held in reserve and only enforced in cases
of fragrant disorder. In this city, hotels,
restaurants, cigar-sto corner groceries,
newspaper depots. railroad ticket Offices,
drug-stores, ETC., are open on Sunday. Cali
fornians are a tolerant people. They let
every man act very much as he pleases SO
long as lie does not injure his fellow-man
Those who are professors of religion attend
church, and any church they please; those
who are not so fortunate are free to spend
the day at home. in the park, in the streets,
in the country or on the water. church
member who instigated proceedings against a
hotel for receiving guests during the hours of
divine service would find it difficult to obtain a
respectful hearing from Justice. But mems
minds differ. In the city Of Glasgow, where
according to the statistics more whisky is
drunk per head of population than in any
other city in the world, a man is liable to
arrest if he whistles in the street on Sunday
morning; and at Madrid a bystander
falling to uncover his head when funeral
passes will have his hat knocked off by one
Of the mourners, lucky, perhaps, if his head
is not in it. Yet the same people spend the
Sunday afternoon at bull-fight People
have to make allowance for differences in
nations and usages. and if they do not like
those Of their neighbors they pull up stakes
and seek pastures new.