The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-02

rights Of the American citizen is the right
Of free speech. If the Liberals ask that
for themselves, then they must concede It
to others too. Whoever demands
personal liberty must at the same
time respect the personal liberty
of others. Free speech is bless
| ing for the republic and a mighty bulwarl
Of our liberties. Whoever violates it, VIC
lates the fundamental laws of our constitu
ton, Abuse of free speech we need least
be afraid of. Rational and sensible speech
will always render powerless the words Of
stupidity and indiscretion. Who is mo-
convinced Of this has no confidence in hu
manity and progress.
The American people have forgotten
many things honored by the fathers of the
republic, but they will never allow the
right of free speech and press TO be re
stricted.
And now we ask those who forcibly dis
turbed the praying assembly on Sunday
whether they can justify their conduct as
American citizens
But this is not ALL The Germans de-
mand for themselves free Sunday. They
congregate on Sunday in their public
places, in beer and concert gardens, they
have their balls frequent their theaters
celebrate their principal festivals and pa
rade through the streets with music. A:
citizens of the United States they have GER
tainly right to the free enjoyment of life
as long as they do not violate the rights Of
others; but as citizens Of the State Of Iowa
they have the law against themselves.
Nevertheless, so far, they have had the
right of free enjoyment Of life, on Sundays
as well as on other days, even if efforts
haye been made here and there, to restrict
the same. If that is the case, they should
so much less try to restrict in any way the
right of others to speak, sing or pray.
The tolerance which they claim tor them
selves, they should above all things practice
towards others, especially if those others
have the law on their side.
What will be the consequences of such
repeated scandals? Simply this: that the
State laws of Iowa will be enforced, that
the public houses, places of amusements,
theaters, etc, will be closed on Sundays.
Then the preachers have effected what
they intended /; then street sermons have
fulfilled their mission. Is there anybody
who could not or would not see this? Its
bad thing to fight against the law if public
opinion is on the side of the law. And
public opinion will array itself very soon
on the side of the law if the freedom Of
speech is disturbed in aforesaid manner.
The people are always willing to redress by
tolerance the grievances, the indiscreet and
inhuman provisions of sectional and one
sided legislation, but they will never be
willing to practice tolerance against those
who do not practice it themselves
We admonish the Germans earnestly as
follows:
Let those who want to, pray, sing and
preach when and wherever they feel like it.
Respect their personal liberty as you de-
mand yours. Let them be undisturbed,
md be unooncerned about them as they do
lot interfere with you For your opinions
you can work and speak in other ways as
.he field is large enough.
There was never a time like the present
when it was so necessary to use further
md foster mutual tolerance. In political
life, everything is reduced to small bick
9rings and secondary matters, no grand
dea and principle is on hand to infame the
of the people. For that they
.ouch upon minor matters and bestow
thereon their passions. If we do not let |
luiet reason have its reign, we may yet
meet with bad social CONFUSION in the Uni |
led States