The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-10

THO Time for Movement ON III, sucd.v
Qusstaon-Sscsssisy Os OvxaDaxssisu AMONG
the Frsesds ~ Free Sunday.
The toe is close AT hind when the friesds Of
a NOR rational system of legislation in regard
10 Sunday observances should have their wits
about hen, and be prepared TO act upon tue
question.
We are approaching the season of politicai
agitation tor the election Of State and municp pal
officers and members of the Assembly. The
con binations Of candidates for these Offices are
now the subject Of active bargaining gu the part
OF the petty clques that rule the party organiza-
tone and the names Of the successful traders for
the nominations will soon be brought forward
The advocates If Il more rational observance OF
Sunday in our city should prepare to cali upon
every Candidate presented for the vote of the
people, and obtain clear and distinct pledge
from each on the question of the abolition Of our
present absurd and unconstitutional Sunday laws.
They must he prepared to define their own po-
sition clearly, and address letters to every
candidate for any Office, whether State, legisla-
tive or nueicipal, requiring au equally clear ex-
preston OF his views on the subject and of the
course be will pursue If elected. This ahocld he
done iDois:inctive Of all party ties and opinions
The questions that divide parties on national
politics have little connection with our State
government, sBd none whatever with those OF
New York city.
II this course is properly pursued, it will sink
all the factions that seek to rule our city, and o
,iate reform in our municipal government that
can be made productive of great good But it
will not be enough that the candidates be brought
up to the scratch, and forced to pledge them
selves on the Sunday question. The friends OF "a
more genial legislation on that subject must
move also snong the people. They mast organ
ze the voters, and pledge every one OF them not
| 10 cast vote for any candidate who Is not dis
tinctly pledged to the liberal views. With the
divisions that now exist In ali te political par
ties. two or three thousand vdsvfs will decide
inc fate of the government Of the city
for the ne9t two years, and If the
friends of a rational observance of Sunday have
grain OF wit for political engineering they
can hold the balance of power with very little
ettors
Let them make the issue plain and distinct
one between the csramOn sense OF the people and
the sai,ctimonious black coa~ who seek 20
tyrannize over them. The question is not q. re-
igious ene for religion does not consist in fold.
Ing tbc-haDds over o prayer book. and camorie
handkerchief, in a softly cushioned and carpeted
pew, and then riding home from church to a
good dinner and bottle Of Burgundy, and tbaak-
ing ,be Lord, with upturned eyes, that the poor
lsborer is not permitted on that day to seek s.
breath Of pure air in the country or the solaee
iof drauebt of lager or cheap wine in a way ade.
quate to his lesser means. II is question
whether we shall have diaerent laws for SUNDAY
trom those-we have for Saturday or Monday. L.
,realiy involves the whole question Of popular
freedom. II the liberties of the people may be
;curiailed On Sunday, at the bidding CT puri-
tanicai Get Of religioDists, who do not c0mprise
Onetenth part OF the population, they may be
curtailed on any other day at the bidding Of that
OF any other sect among us. We call upon the
friends Of The tree Sunday movement to prepare
to meet the candidates for Office, and to demand
from them uDequivocating- pledges; and to tae
people We cay, organize your tree Sunday clubs
ana pledge every man tn vote only for th0se,
city and State candidatee who accept the die.
tates Of common sense, aud bind themselves to
work for the enfranchisement Of the laboriug
classes on Sunday, as wei, as on every other day
Of the week