San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-10-06

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might as we'll argue against the
church as against the saloon, on the
ground of abused privilege.
The whole tendency of govern
ment is towards paternalism, CEN
tralization. 1t is the most danger
Gus Of tendencies in a Republican
form OF government. Most dan.
gerous, because it Is such a means
of universal good when not per-
verified to improper uses. All best
thing are made worst by perver-
sion, and this one Of paternalism is
no exception. Governments are
created for the good Of the govern
ed, but as to the individual good,
that must be left to the individual,
once manhood is reached and
the person is personally respon-
sible for his acts. The advocates
of Sunday and sumptuary laws
have proceeded upon the false as
sumption that the conditions and
regulations so necessary to minors
are applicable to those who have
attained their majority.
The minor is under regulation in
all things, either at home or by the
state, and 1t Is only when the home
ceases to properly regulate the
minors there that the state steps in,
but when the state does step in it
recognizes the minor condition and
regulates accordingly. The right
Of the minor is not In question, for
his rights are swallowed up in the
rights accorded his parents during
his minor existence. 1t Is only
when he crosses the Threshold Of
his manhood and is clothed with q
mans rights in the eyes of the law
that he is clothed with the respon-
sibilities of that self regulation
that is his right as man. There
are no personal rights that legally
and in equity obtain right OF way
over others on the great highway
Of life. The arm Of secular govern
ment is out OF place when it as
sumes to declare in favor Of relig-
ious organization.
Church and state are made sepa-
rate in the mind of the true citizen
of republican governments. 1t is
only under absolute forms of gov
eminent that state churches can
be established. 1t is only where
state churches are established that
the state can interpose for the
church at the expense Of other
organizations. The days set apart
for church observances are no more
to be considered by the state in an
equitable consideration Of things
than any other days, and 80 to dis
crIminate is to be partial and par
tisan. 1t is the prerogative Of gov
eminent to see that all are treated
alike. Nothing else meets the
requirements of q government OF
the people, by the people, for the
people.
Turn to the right and give half,
is the law OF the road of the great
humanity. The saint has no more
right In the economy OF secular
government to the middle OF the
road than the sinner has. The
saloon has the same right to be as
the church. The drunken man his
right to get drunk, so long as he
does not interfere in any way with
his sober neighbor. Once the indi-
vidual is Of age legally, he has a
legal right to control his own life
and make it what he will, so long
as he does not trample on the rights
of others. The fakir on the streets
and the Salvation Army are under
the same law; so is the singer in a
church and the one in a beer gar
den. There is no law of the secu-
lar power that has right to dis.
criminate. 1t is true that laws are
not always wisely framed, and
that at times they infringe upon
right. Such laws are destined to
bring all law into disrepute, be-
cause personal right is always
above law and will so remain.
Whistled Language.
aS tho raonlt of hia stndins -