The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-09-23
Black Republican Fsnatieisn - Its
Origin.


Sunday band, ard Its performances in Regents
park, London. What contrast between this and
the gloomy fanatcism which pervades the Sum
day in New York under the influence of black
republican legislation New York, 80 far
ahead Of London and every capital Of Europe
in its ideas Of rational liberty and in the securi
ties which it possesses for the same in the con-
stitution Of the United States and the ccnstitu-
ton OF this State, is yet far behind London and
Paris, and other European capitals, in the prac-
teal enjoyment Of freedom for at least one day
oHt of seven.
This is reproach to our civilization and our
Christianity, and is owing, not to the genius Of
our institutions, but to q perverse fanaticism
grated upon them. in defiance of their
spirit and letter and the spirit and let
ter Of genuine Christianity. The spiritual
despotism with which the people have to con.
tend in this State is identified with black repub-
icanism, and Is the remnant of the old Puritan
fanaticism imported from England by the Pill
grim Fathers who arrived In the Mayfower and
settled N Massachusetts,. In Old England it has
been put down by the good sense and determi
nation Of the people, with not one-tenth the po-
litical power in their hands which the people of
this city and State enjoy. In New England it
still reigns, to the disgrace of its superior en-
ightenment and its common schools. 1t has
spread from thence more or less to other States,
and here even in New York it is a stumbling
block in the way of the rational enjoyment of
the people. II affects the temporal interests and
the very health of the citizens In London,
after severe struggle with the fanatics,
led on by Sir Andrew Agnew ard Exc
ter Hail. they were defeated, and now
the people can have their refreshments
on Sunday, their Sunday music, and
their Sunday trains, made cheap b. act of Par
lament to convey them out Of the metropolis
to inhale the fresh and invigorating breezes Of
the country, and to feast the sight ard the ina
gination on the beauties of rural scenery. This
is step in civilization In advance Of New York.
but ii Is to be hoped we shall not long lag be-
hind. We must get rid of the leaven Of puri-
tanism at any cost for IT is poisoning the springs
of our social existence.
The Puritans were always prosecuting sect.
Under the designation of Roundheads they per-
secuted the Cavaliers in England and Scotland,
and all who would not wear their iron yoke of
observances, which they borrowed from the
harsh old Jewish religion, which the mild founder
of Christianity came to supplant by broad
charity and universal liberation. The Puri-
tans themselves were prosecuted in turn when
their party were deprived Of power on the
restoration Of Charles H.; and were it not for
their fanaticism no king or queen would have
reigned in England to this day. They emigrated
to Holland rather than conform to the estab-
lished religion, and after eleven years they set
out for this continent. The persecution they
had endured, instead Of being lesson to teach
them federation ana forbeazance, appears to
have Had - couRaxy eaeet. Headed by Cot
ton Mather, these fanatics burned respectable
men and women as witches, and they drove
out the inoaensive Quaker and other sectz,
and they enacted "blue laws" Of the most OBJ
nexious and tyrannical character. worthy only
Of the dark ages. Many Of these have become
dead letter, but enough Of the lesven still re-
mains to stir up the active antagonism ofevery
friend Of freedom.
The liquor laws and the Sunday Lawn, as well
a. the anttslavery agitation and Law % bring
down the white man to the level Of the black,
are its legitimate offspring. The Sabbath
Committee" In this city, under its Inspiration,
have issued most intolerant and benighted do
cumenb, worthy Of HAyti or Dahomey. They
have wrought on the politicians, not indeed
to convert them to their superstidous views, but
to take them up, as good party capital, to In.
fuence the half enlightened portion Of the re
igious community, and go to win the local
elections. The sacred name Of religion ID thus
prostituted for party purposes, and many Of the
men who thus employ Il are notorious public
thieves and robbers, whose immoral and de-
PRAYED lives furnish curious comment upon
their zeal for puritanich religion. The Legisla-
ture has been bought Under the pressure Of this
fanaticism, and acts have been passed at va
rance with the fundamental laws Of the land.
The German population, whose religious ideas
are totally different from those Of the Puritans,
have suffered most from the unconstitutional
enactmenta They have suffered In their bust
ness, and they have been deprived Of the inno-
cent qualification Of glass Of lager bier and .
smoke at their gardens which they have
enjoyed from time immemorial without injury
or molestation TO other men 1t remains, then,
for the Germans to right themselves and Lay the
insolent usurpers low By united action .. the
ballot box, WHARF i il always the peculiar
privilege Of American citizens to make apeace-
fnl and bloodleS revolution
SAsRATAEI,S CsSr-PEorEssIoS An PaAc-
TrcF.-Tbcre l. In London Cabmens Sunday
Rest Association, the object Of which Ia TO pro-
cure total cessation Of labor on the part Of
that useful body Of public servants on the Sab
bath. AT recent meeting Of the society some