, 1873-06-01
"THE GERMAN MOVEMENT"

| 10 the Editor Of The Chicago Tribune:
SIN: "A A German American" in Wednesday, g
| TRIBUNE, gives his views about the issues raised
by the Germans in the so-cslled "Now Depart
| ure, as follows: "The Germans contend that,
| in q Republic, as well "a under their Own Mon
archical Government, they have tho legitimate
right to pass the first day Of tho week according
to the dictates OF their OWN consciences the
party In power insist that the Sunday which
the Puritans chose to turn into aJewish Sabbath
ehall be observed by all tho people ss day Of
humiliation and prayer"
Nov, hsd supposed the Issue to be quite dif-
ferent. was not aware that any law was in
force in Chicago or elsewhere, or that any one
had attempted, or even suggested, the enact
ment OF any 1aw, to compel my person to pass
the day, or any part Of it, in either humiliation,
prayer, or in any other specific manner. On the
other hand, believe at least q large majority
Of those who favor the Sunday and II o'clock
laws do not themselves pass the day in any such
manner. Furthermore, am satisfied that not
one-fourth OF those who do so spend portion Of
the day base their support Of those laws on any
such ground. In other words, / do not regard
the question as one Of religion at all, in any
sense; and the attempt to make it such appears
to me like clever dodge to get support by dis-
guising the real aim OF those who originated the
movement. Like the unearthly din Of a party
OF Indians about to attempt the burning OF be-
sleged building, this wall about individual rights
personal liberty, de-, is not the real thing at all
The question is, Shall be permitted to do as L
please, regardless Of hos0 it affects my r'elghbor
and the community?
The fact has often been commented upon, that
moro crimes are committed between u o'clock
Saturday night and o'clock Monday morn-
ing than during the rest OF the week.
1t is also well-known fact that nearly all the
crimes committed are the direct result Of the
facts together, and what do ne find their signid
cance? Where do people generally drink their
liquor, at home or at the saloons II at home,
why do they object to having the saloons closed :
friends, with their wives and families?" f so.
why keep the saloons open Is it absolutely
necessary to go to the saloons in order to find
friends and newspapers?" ?" Does the Right
Rev. Bishop Armitage sanction any such places
;.unreformed practices" which Calvin and
Luther feared the people would relapse into If
W.. what Seems to Us = Lax observance of the dry"
we're opposed too strenuously? Viii "a Ger
cannot spend the Sabbath as day Of rest and |
recreation I" in little bit Of gard in crowded
city, containing small grass-plat and shrub !
OF TWO, without an open saloon next door2 It |
seems lI 70 me that there is quite marked con
"A*NSs |
crowded saloon where vine, beer tobacco, etc.,
help to "sweeten the atmosphere,
But if, as stated sbo7e, more than nine-tenths
Of the crime and misery is caused by strong
drink, and the largest part crowded into about
forty-two hourB time, and nearly all the rest be-
tween the hours Of II o'clock and morning, does
not the safety Of every individual in community
demand that public drinking at least shnl stop
during that t1me7 But, eaya ny German friend,
glass Of vino or beer, ETC., but whether any
other man Or set OF naen shall have power to say
shAu not" think it is = we1-unde1stood
principle OF law, that individuals must some
ime suffer ,ncouvenience for good OF communi-
,. Just Laws often discommode indiyiduals.
TO- il my friends right to cat, drink, and wear
FhAt he p1eases, and when and as he p1eaaes, and
my right to buy and sell what, OF, and to whom
choose, and if somebody else'a right to write
nd publiah whai aud Of whom he .pleases, hap
ems to interfere with the rights OF safety Of our
eIghbors or the community, fear re shall not
Q able to cite any good reason why the law
hoald not step in and say You must subordi-
ate your privste interests to the public good"
But suppose the question Wll1 be asked, Il it
not religious issue, why not make it apply to
7ery other day a. wall as sunday7 n "a |