New-York tribune., 1868-03-02
THE EXCISE LAW.


the large hall Of Cooper Institute, yesterday afternoon
WAS most convincing proof Of the fact that this element
OF orr population is not unit IN favor Of the proposed
repeal Of the Excise law The room was filed with inter
ested people, fully third OF whom were ladies' ana
the exercises were conducted with characteristic order
aud after song by the Manneren2r OF the German Gha
German Society made an Introductory speech
I'm German. We have met here. he said, TO sustain the
sunday sections of Excise law OF 1866. This law Is
not political moral and social not coerelye Ont pro
news or private habits but It simply iorbds the public
roe in intoxicating drinks on sundays eeeton &
and after midnight This law IL reasonable Tor an otnes
kinds OF public traffic and common LABOR arc suspeh1eu
on Sunday Landlords and stewards need rest rs wen as
other people In California the managers OF teaters
recently ettoned the Legislature not to repeal te sun
day law the law still stands The Excise law Is pen.
health and wealth, family happiness and pub
lie o5 eT laws and s estnSs6ed American casto% al
ovor the country, which IN honor bound 70 re-
pee &C. q%et snS energy snd With so
lew holidays. The President feeingy appealed TO the
erans 10 support the sunday laws for their own sakes
for the sake of their families aud the interest OF public
virtue aud liberty, which cannot be maintained WITHOUT
law aud the power OF self government The Germans are
accused OF Oyerthrowing the American Sabbath but we
will IL for the land OF our adoption Applause
The following is translation OF the Resolutions then
read by Pastor Blinn, which were enthusiastically re-
ceiyed 1853 g., ,h..,.,.d with ,.-
peal or essential % ~ The PS Pai % ,a 5d III. whole
ne St @ ,b t ,sd orIsr Of susdsyS and
days proper restraints upon the liquor and beer aHe
Bareas The present Metropolitan Excise lay has proved iefa
and vice by reducing Of Sunday
@ about one ha By s9s 70 the s,s7 2!
me former noise disorder and crime BY Yielding 4, seom Of
% n .IS % b o SSsSGs saS ia. . q 5; Ss. Sor. ts
, J eowreni,d itself TO many even Of those Nbo foa
mistaken orsr habits we're SI.. opposed % y and wi"
Rolrsd 6at German eteas aud residents Of New Iori ind
u. State Of no. gs, iss P' a. GS.Igo'' Excise
a nor 70 consent % 70 any @ s.i ~ b bs Sbo With IN. b,
Of this mern h- proceed g Albany aud PTseH ' action to
The Rev. VIM. II. Rice next spoke in German He con.
taken the stand which German American Christians
should long have taken The German opponents OF the
Metropolitan Excise law pave taken e9urage from i
what they deem our courage ana not only
claim majority among US, Dnt arrrogatte 10 them, them
selves all the culture, ana an the devotion
to liberty and progress OF winch Germans so love
TO boast We have taken our stand on ms sunday gaes
ton that those who differ IN regard TO II may now nave
opportunity to test by argument and not by abuse
psryo MS ~ IS' St Sey When is the btRrsbt every
American citizen, the liberty regulated Dy law Nvt
erty, not the nperty OF nuuery' Dui Dh.sua hDeLy,
liberty regulated 10y law The golden threads OF the
texture OF common law, and you cannot sepa-
them FROM without tearing TO pieces the garment
in which our liberty Is gOrlously arrayed The law
regulating our liberty not only protects the Christian Sab
bath but also demands ITS Observance We are Oo1 enough
To stand by this law Applause We not yield 10 our
opponents in our devotion TO progress Men sneer at she
Observance of the sabbath as relic OF olde flritan,
liberty his achievements in science literature art
more appreciated than by the descendants OF the Pilgrim
Fathers Exchange the Americans sabbath for that
which Is desecraed In Vienna aud Paris ana you go BACK
@ more t Que steP ty"e 10 ,h % I,r1Ds on fhs sp TSe
speaker closed with the following remark: NV friends,
t ms take our stand on this question in the spirit
brave Old German who in the face OF the powerful
opposition, said, with modest OOdness ana chllulke
faith Here stand cannot otherwise; God help mew
The Rev Mr.. Neumann occupied few minutes IN ridi'
cung the opponents Of the Excise law IN drawing very
graphic pictures OF the condition of affairs before the law
hearers the Importance OF supporting ana uphOidng IL
Mfr Neumann was followed by the Rev. Mr.. oerter in q
forcble appeal to maintain the integrity OF the law aud
he in succeeded by the Rev Henriod Pastor
OF the French Protestant Church. who spoke in his own
tongue. In France be said the holy day observed as
IL IS elsewhere on the continent OF Europe nation
having Sabbath like yours, day OF rest from labor
day respected by the paygoer aay wieh one may can
the point de depart between secular and religious duties
should observe royerently and by all means In their
power strive to check whatever force Is DrOugt 10 pear
against its proper Observance II Is Ony Ia free SOun
try that such law as the Excise law cOud nave Deen
passed It is liberty which gives men the power 70 saSr
nee their tastes For the honor OF your glorious liberty
respect your Sabbath aud show TO the world that only
free people make laws for It's decent observance aud
obey those laws cheerfuly and faithfully Applause
The first who addressed the meeting In English was
friends that they were now on account OF ne recent az
ton OF the United States and the North German C0nfed
eraton more firmly established than ever IN ther status
as American citizens. remarked that nothing Is more
abused than liberty that by liberty men mean TOO oIten
license This he said IS egolsn as when one S says
or the feelings OF any one else, ,o.s We want & it
understood that Christian liberty is the utmost posi-
bic freedom for every man consistent with the freedom
every other Every may do what he peases with
his own property his body but lie is not a liberty
do what he chooses with mne How many O1 the pO-
puation Of this city desire TO have this uncharterel
hbertyi Not tenth. These would II they had the
power strike down the masses and destroy true liberty
forever. Dr. Hitchcock was frequently Interrupted by
applause and closed his speech amid the most cheering
vocal evidences OF the appreciation OF his audience
Dr. Pasayant remarked that at this stage OF the pro-
oeedngs U plainly not necessary TO agan elucidate
the fundamental principles which the Sunday clause
of the present Excise law based The necessity for
such provision was found In the needs OF mankind Its
object TO TO the orderloyng citizens OF ths
city and Brooklyn the enjoyment OF quiet, peaceful
Sabbath IL Is not merely the right but the duty OF Tie
State 10 protect its citizens in the enjoyment OF
peace and quiet The Sabbath was made for
for his enjoyment and benefit and II Is the duty ~
Government to that he has the opportunity TO use 1t
for his own good and the glory of God. This law has
In the State; yet In spite Of this hear from every
nook and corner OF the city cry that the liberties OF
this oryi Not our Israetish citizens, who, While they
observe different Sabbath from the Christian
one, yet yield respect and obedience 10 tle
ing and clearsghted business men, whose talents and
energy have made this city the metropolis OF the And
not the dworng mechanics who toll throughout the
Outcry OF the infringement OF our liberties comes from
the class who grow strong by others weakness aud thrive
tho lips OF the drunkard and cry drink, while they
know that that mans wife and children are furnishing
and freezing at home ~ ~ h snS rSse,sf ars SsS
when tho community undertake TO regulate his danger
Gus traffic. And because few inconsiderate or selnsh
Germans cry out against the law, the opinion has gone
forth the whole German population are desrous TO
break IL down. II Is the duty Of all order and quietloy
Ing Germans especially OF Christians, to correct this I'm
or Gambrinus shall rule the sabbath, and 1t is
for the Christian people OF this city 70 decide lAp-
plause1 Tho Chairman then put the resolutions
TO the vote They were carried unanimously every mem
bor OF the meeting rising his feet the universal