Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-06-30

medium, TO express WnaG seems 10 NE
to be the true opinion Of the public
on the question of out door gatherings
on the Sabbath. / am aware that l
shall not tread upon neutral ground,
for as upon the question of the observ-
ance of the Sabbath, it appears to me,
that there can be but one answer, ERE
member the Sabbath day to keep it
holy" T think it is the universal SEN
timent among the law abiding, and
intelligent community, that the quiet
observance Of the Sabbath brings its
abundant harvest, in the good morals,
and prosperity Of those who obey its
behests. 1 need only refer for proof OF
this, to, not only the history of the in
dividuals, or the neighborhood, but
nations as well But the question
naturally arises as to what constitutes
an observance Of the Sabbath ? And
it is to the answering of this question,
that [ appeal to the careful, considera-
ton of those, who not only give direc-
zion to public opinion, but those also who
are charged directlywith the administra-
ton of laws, and the public welfare.
We suppose then that the Sabbath is,
and should be, day of quiet, and Of
rest and any more that tends to de-
tract from that. just so far transgresses
the holy day. Neither would err on
the other side, though [ would rather
be too quiet than otherwise, but this
much is determined, in and by history
of the past, that the "Nation and Peo-
pie who honor Cod" them will God
honor. This brings me to notice, an
immediate connection with the present
as concerning our own communicative
see by the papers that the matter of
Sunday meetings in one of the public
parks of our city was warmly discussed
at u late meeting of City Council and a
sort OF a compromise effected by throw
ing the responsibility on committee Of
three that is one way to dodge ques-
ton, or what perhaps is more true, the
friends of the more close observance
of the Sabbath, yield a point, rather
than lose the whole-perhaps it is well
so to do but there is a question of vi
tai importance concerning public meet
ings on the Sabbath in the public
parks, which our city fathers cannot
possibly ignore, and that is the rights
of those who live in the Immediate
vicinity of, and fronting the park Ii
the city authorities choose to allow de
monstrations on such laid out
grounds" and the property becomes
damaged, then they are morally respon-
sible to their constituents and the pub
lie for such loss; but when i'll addition,
such demonstrations expose private
property and private interests to loss
and annoyance, and it intrudes upon
tle quiet of Others, then I hold that
those who consent to such proceedings
become a party to the results. II there
must be meetings so large" that no
. elifce" of church, or state, at pre-
sent built, can accommodate tine per
sons who wo uld gather there, then, in
the name of charity, let us send fol
"Gilmore' and erect n Coliseum on
some commol that viii accommodate all
who come. am glad to rank myself
with those who advocate the greatest
good that can be accomplished to, and
for " fallen humanity" but / have yet
to see much good resulting from Sun
day meetings except in places appro-
pirate for the occasions. In my mind
the able Councilman from the Fifth
ward but re-echoed the sentiments OF
his constituents, whom he has served
so ably for several years, when he set
his face against Sunday meetings in the
park. Truly, none can accuse him OF
sinister motives, or for the want of a
due regard for the Sabbath, but on
the contrary, knowing well the evils
resulting from out door meetings in a
large city like ours, and that the very
persons whom it is intended to reach
and instruct, are the very ones who
hang upon the outskirts of such meet
ings, and disturb it in various ways, by
loud talking, smoking, laughing, &C.,
he took the only safe ground as well as
the correct one, and thereby deserves
the thanks of our order loving communi-
ty adjacent to and ON the park. I trust
the people at the proper time will re
member who has an eye" to the well
fare of his constituents, and see that
he be kept in the position he has so
ably honored these past years. / re-
spectfully therefore as one Of the tax
payers of this community, enter my
protest against any Sunday meetings
whatever III the public parks, and re-
spectfully appeal to our city fathers, to
prohibit the use of Jefferson park at
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