The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-26
A NEW suNDAv DrcrsroN.

A NEW 60&0Ax 06Gl8kOM.
 A great deal is said about Sunday leg islation and the proper observance of the day. and of what Gonstftutes violation of the Sabbath. Naturally there is much difference and divergence of opinion, from the blue law Puritanism of the Seven- teenth Century to the wide open" advo- cates who do not believe in any restric- ton on their business or enjoyment. Yet among all good people there Is a senti- ment and a conviction that one day out of seven should be set apart and observed as a day of rest and quiet and of religious observance, and that the day should not be profaned by such conduct as would disturb those who reverence 1t.
 Most States have laws and ordinances on the subject of Sunday observance, and among them are laws which void certain contracts made on that day In some States the laws are more liberal than in others, as to the nature of the contracts or agreements which are not legally bind ing if entered into on Sunday. but so far as we have observed 1t remained for a Pennsylvania Judge to hand down an official declaration that a contract of mar riage made on that day is void, and that a breach of promise suit hasn't leg to stand on if the evidence shows that the promise of marriage was made on Sum day.
 Here is an upsetter, SO to speak. and if other courts hold this opinion or nag- ment to be good in law and equity, 1t will knock a hole in the eourting and marrying business big enough to drive a gravel train through, His decision takes all the romance and sentiment out of matrimonial preliminaries, and reduces 1t to the sordid level of buying and selling pigs. In short, he makes courtship and marriage a purely business affair. and hence marriage contracts entered into on that day are both voidable and void, just as any other business contracts are.
 We do not know what the law will say and do about it, for the law sometimes cuts queer antics, looked at from lay standpoint, and the courts of the coun- try may unite in uphoiding the dictum of the Pennsylvania jurist. If they do, they needn't expect to be sustained by the sentiment of the youth of the land, at all events We don't remember just when Sunday courting began, but we've no doubt that it is as old as the day itself. In fact. to all, except those who have nothing to do, and to whom every day Is Sunday, that day Is especially fitted for this business or recreation. People who have to work all the week have little time for enjoyment. It requires all the hours of the day to Keep up with their tasks, and they have not the time or op- portunity for sparkling that some more favored individuals have.
 But on Sunday the young man spruces up, dons his best clothes, sllcks his hair and sallies forth to conquer or be con- quered The girls expect him and lie in wait for him, They are prepared to hear what he says and to give heed to his words. The time and the occasion hre propitious and in many instances Bar. kis is willin'." If, on such an occasion, he says will your" and she says yes" and they seal the contract in the accepted way. shall the cold and unsentimental law step in and declare the bargain void? Such a construction of law would make Don Cupid fold his wings and fly to a country or people who have no such in- tolerant and unnatural lava. We have no patience with that form of ascetic- ism which believed in
 Hanging of a eat on Monday
 For killing of a mouse on Sunday.
 and if young people can't court and make marriage contracts on that day we file here and now an appeal for a constitu- tional amendment that will prevent any moss-back judge from interfering with what we consider one of the inaiienabie rights of all young people. now and here after. Let counting be unconfined and let marriage contracts be made when the fates decree,
 Shaking of the faNv who ora kryi,,c 4o