The record-union., 1891-02-22
TRUE MORALITY.
An Appeal for the Adoption of the
Parole system.

An Appeal for the Adoption of the
Parole system.
EIs. SUNDAY UNION: wish to make
a suggestion to the reverend gentlemen
who Sare so industriously working UP a
sent ment with part of the community
to tr ample upon the rights of the others
in the interests of this Sunday legislation
In the name of that Golden Rule we
hear 80 much about, l hope the American
people will be allowed the enjoyment of
that civil and reli gious liberty which the
genius of their institutions guarantees,
| and (which our forefathers dedicated to
libelty with their blood.
Natural phenomena determined the
principal divisions of time. The annual
revolution of the earth around the sun
determined the division called year; the
d1ulnal rotation of the earth on it's axis.
the LAY; the time from moon to moon, the
meAth; and the phases or quarters of the
| moon suggested the week. 1t is evident
TO any one but a believer in the Christian
SabDath that 1t IS not necessary for per-
son to consult the almanac or to look at
the clock to know whether one is doing
right or wrong-to know good from evil.
would respectfully ask these gentlemen
II Sunday is so much different from any
other day of the week? If there is so
y,
even they We're placed in the midst of the
beautiful wllds OF nature, with none of
the devices used by man for reckoning
time, they cannot distinguish Sunday
from any other day? If there is so much
virtue in the day, it seems one ought to
1eeI 1t IN their very bones, and never be
at a loss to designate the day under anv
circumstances whatever.
Dr. Franklin once said he believed
God cared much less about Sabbath
breaking than New England Justice.
And 1t strikes me that these reverend
gentlemen are about in the position of
the New England Justice.
Rev. Mr.. Stevenson said before the
legislative committee that religious Sery-
ices i'll churches were often disturbed bv
brass bands on Sunday, and there was
no redress under our State laws. | would
ask, What redress do people have for hav-
ing their Sunday morning rest disturbed
by the clangor of useless church bells !?
Or do the sick have from being tormented
by the same cause?
There are great many people in this
country who manage to keep out IF State
prison, keep sober, live moral lives and
raise moral families that do not believe
in the Christian Sabbath-to whom all
days are holy. If the 5000 mothers who
have been mentioned as petitioning for this
legislation Will join hands with us in keep
ing open art galleries, museums, worlds
1alrs, parks and picnic grounds on Sun
days, in beautifying and refining the
day, and IN opening every avenue to
social enjoyment, rational happiness and
innocent amusement on this day, they
Will soon find that saloons and evil places
have very little attraction for their sons
and daughters.
The suggestion I started out to make is
this: There is now pending before the
Legislature bill to parole convicts. It
is measure that should have been
adopted by this State long ago. 1t is in
the interest of humanity, of morality.
government economy and true reform.
1t is in direct line with what should be
the highest aim of society in regard to her
criminal wards, and that is to reform and
not prosecute. Let these reverend gen
tlemen drop the Sunday law question
and devote their energy to educating the
people up TO realizing the importance of
this parole measure and the necessity for
Its being passed and put in operation as
soon as possible. Here is chance for
them to co something substantial in the
Interest of morality and without invading
the rights of any. We will then all ioin
hands, and in the name of that humanity
that is higher and broader than any Sab
bath belief. sing hallelujahs for the un-
fortunate souls that will be saved to good
citizenship and usefulness.
In behalf of humanity and government
economyHlet us have the parole system.
Yours for liberation and justice,
VIM. r. GRIMsHAw.
Cosumnes, Sacramento Co., Feb. 10th.