The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-21

The Great G"ehuoS ~, the Day --NrEaLiZed
Oy'po~tsiS" q" th~ Su~dsy Laws.
The question OF the day, which ia destised
soon 20 overshsdow all other questions, il that
of the Sunday laws 1t in brapcb Of the great
cause of civil and religious liberty which has
asisted the world for spes, alternating between
victory and defeat Tie decisive BATH. ap-
peared 10 have heen won by the triumph of the
American Revolution. But it seems it must he
now fought over again. We have Mstropoli-
tan Inqusition established in the heart of this
free city--sn impei,nn in inperio-reviviog old
pusty blue laws, and we must either overthrow
it by the weapons which the constitution places
in our hands, or quietly submit tn our chains.
A meeting ought at once to he called of the
Germans, Irish, and other nationallties which
constitute our foreign born population, together
with our native citizens, to 6enounce this
ipiquity and take such measures as will lay the
us,,rpers low. 1t is the common cause of all
against religious intolerance, and every man
ought to rally around the banner of freedom. re-
solved to battle to the death against that eccle.
siastioal deepotism which seeks to entoral the
bodies as well as the souls of men.
The Germans have made o movement in the
right direction. Believing In the maxim that
''wben bad men combine good men ought to
unite" they have formed an association to offer
resistance to the despotism that works it's wan
tonpess in form of law; and their FIRST act is to
issue an admirable address, which will be found
in another column. Their positions are i'm
pregnable, and their arguments cannot be
answered. They are resolved to contest their
rights inch by inch by law, and If that struggle
fails the next battle will be in the Legislature to
sweep away all Sunday laws. And to this end
there must be outposts taken aud preliminary
skirmishes at the primary elections and the lega,
elections If the Germans and the other
foreign population, whom it is attempted to OPP
press fight their battle on toe right plan, they
have the game in their own hands Let them
resolve to vote for no man who will not pledge
himself to overthrow every Sunday law. If the
question be thus made an issue in the election it
, peeds no ghost to foresell the result We admire
the spirit Of the Germans, who will not trust to
any Of the rotten political organizations to do
them justice. Will Tammapy or Mozart Hall
the doctrine of the poet
Who would be free themselves must strike the blow.
The Germans deserve the support Of every
good citizen in their gallant action.
While these operations are going forward in
New York, another movement is on foot IN
Philadelphia. There the directors of the city
railroads are determined to test the authority of
the Mayor and the police to prevent the running
Of their cars OIL Sunday They offered tho Mayor
a very liberal compromise, going much further
than they had right to do in view of the pub.
lie good. They proposed not to run their cars
till one o'clock, when service would be over in
the several churches. This was going further,
we say, than they ought, for churches ought
not to be built in the thOroughfares where rail-
road cars run, and if those concerned do build
them there for ostentation and display, they
ought to be compelled to accept the conse-
quences, and the public convenience ought not
tn ',n torooa 20 eive w0y to any particular
church. One Of the uses of CITY railroad cars n,
Sunday is to bring people to and from church
who cannot afford the expense of keeping or
hiring carriage The proposition of the direc-
tors, however, was not accepted; the cars were
stopped, and the drivers arrested. The case was
heard, and, as will be seen by report in another
column, the magistrate decided on committing
the defendant who, By the advice of his counsel,
declined to give bail. The case is to be brought |
before The Supreme Court IF the |
final decision should be adverse to freedom, we |
trust that the case will be brought before the |
higher tribunal Of public opinion in such way |
as that all obnoxious Sunday laws snail be
erased from the statute book, where they ought
never to have been.
We shall look forward with interest to the
contest in both cities for the re- establishment of
civil and religious liberty on the broad basis of
the constitution. AS for New York, we trust It's
citizens of all classes, without distinction, will
do their duty in a manner worthy of this Empire
City. Let them not wait for any of the corrupt
political organizations to take the initiative. But
let them come forward promptly and pronounce
against the Metropolitan Holy Inquisiion, with
its p;ous Pillsbury and its pious squads of
spies.
ANOTHER QUIET CALL ON THE CaEvAL1ER
WEBB.-The Chevalier Webb is. we presume, 80
busilJ engaged in preparing for the reception of
the gold snuff box which he expects from the