The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-10

repeat II We are all OF rs good citizens In FAVOR OF
judieious excise law be firmly administered, but we
are opposed TO intolerance and bgo,ry in whatever form
II may appear do not hesitate to say that, IN my
opinion the Excise Commissioners enforcing the
lsting Law with undue harshuess They unreasona
bic and uuinst in these eyatinns when demonstrated
with by those who have no interest except 10 preserve
popular rights and cv Order their answer is that no one
Gifecty a'scled 10y the law makes any objection They
seem BY Their coudnct TO be aborng TO create excite
mept and provoke resistance They make the perfect
and complete submission OF the people the pretext for
eAactions. | am very sorry for It, have remon-
s,raied with OF them, whom believed TO be most
influential but to no purpose. But you ask me what
you shall dor will give you the best advice can In
the rst place you must continue 10 oby the law as -
until modify IL. Obedience TO law Ia the nrst
duty OF the citizen Some foolish men talk OF resist
ance; but sincere friend of the people will counte
nance that The papers OF this morning announce, by
authority, II is said, of the Police Commissioners,
that violence is threatened and riot contemplated.
hope It is not true. believe II Is not true most
soemnly warn all people against the use OF force My
views Of riots and rioters well known, and TO the
extent Of my power shond deal with them in the fu
ure precisely as have done in the past Your opponents
would like nothing better than to be able provoke
10 violence II would be gain to then but ruin 70
and your cause IL would change the current OF
public sympathies Those yupsthles are with you
and are Strengthening every day. Disturb the peace
and you turn them against you At The friends Of
to-day would be enemies tomorrow. Thousands or
good citizens who sustain you now would oppose
you then. Al all hazards therefore, preserve most
sacredly the peace, and frown down the first attempt
70 break IT, Your obedience TO law has won for you
hosts Of friends Be patient Hot you with pru-
dence and with safety agate and hold your public meet
nga Let your speakers be we'll selected and your
solutions be we'll considered Keep clear OF denugogues
who VIII strive to use your movement Tor their own ad
vancement Look at the immense demonstrations
which are being held in England, and how rapidly
they are changing the Of public events As John
Bright said at Birmin ham, neither Lords Commons
can resist the peaceful expression OF pubic opinion
You can do as the people are doing there. You can IN
perfect peace and order make series OF demonstrations
which will ast0nsh the people Of the State. think
have not yet reached the point when the right OF the
people to assemble peaccaby to discuss public questions
Will be denied Let me give you another piece OF advice
L0t your demonstrations be on y week Instead OF
Sunday as has been contemplated Thousands Of your
friends those who condemn alike the odous features OF
the Excise law and the intolerant spirit OF the
Commissioners, love the quiet Of Sunday; and
while they concede % all mon the right TO spend
the day according 70 the dictates OF their o~n
consciences, they would regret to see IL disturbed
BY the noise and confusion OF public demonstration
sentiment Of the community You can have il and
keep IL and will be sustained by all except by those who
have no idea Of the liberty Of Others conscience or in
their own peculiar notions | have spoken to yon
plainly and frankly. You know me- and know that
VIII not give you any advice which Is not for your own
good, and will not speak pleasant words TO
mentary applause Do have told you and you will
drive even the Excise and Police Commissioners to a
moderation and fairness IT, on the other hand
others follow the advice Of excited indscreet
men, you will lose everything BE prudent and patient
and you will reasonable modification Of the
law and place the OF executing in the hands OF
men who be just and firm without being tyrannical
and oppressive. The time fast approaching when the
people Of New York and Brooklyn will have their rights
There IL no power In the city state which with
stanu the popular VIII expressed as u Will DO expressed
All men who think n. all acknowledge that local gov
ernment is better than Albany government The expe-
rence OF the past winter has taught our people that
corrupt legislature can increase taxation and our
burdens, but can furnish remedy for municipal
local evils This is not subject which the people OF
New York city alone interested. IL concerns
the people OF the whole State. II involves the
right Of counties and cities and towns to regulate their
own affairs. You must organize with reference
to IT, and FOR the present mako your political eombha
tons and regulate your political conduct
always the election Of men opposed % consolidation Of
power In commissions appointed ~ Albany The turn
point has been reached The election will
tho people here to be almost unit In favor Of local selr
government and against legislative aggression They
win insist that whatever Excise laws shall be in force
shall apply TO the whole State and not to section OF
~ They wi, rebuke that intocrant spirit which makes
rigorous Excise law for New York and Brooklyn and
exemps the residue Of the State almost entirely from
its operation, aud they will condemn that legislation
which forces upon US commissions and commissioner
against our will and dcprvos OF the right conceded to
others Of regulating local afirs and choosing
own local officers have said oil that is necessary.
Let your next movement be great demonstration Of
fifty thousand citizens assembled in perfect order
some hne afternoon speaking BY its magnitude its dig
nifty and its resolution your determination have youI
rights in the manner pointed out by law.