The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-04
JERSEYS BLUE LAWS.

WHAT THE GERMANS CALL ''rHE TRUE TEMPER
ANcE posITIoN"-A PLEA FOR STRIKING OFF
IRON LAWS.
The Germans Of Newark will issue to-day q state
ment Of their position on the Jersey "blue laws -
together with q review of the Sunday law contro-
versy which been agitating Newark and the State
OF New Jersey for the last six months. They claim
that the real issue of the Sunday law has been
clouded with discussions the broader plane of
temperance. 1t IL to meet this and bring back
the discussion to its original bounds that the Ger
mans say they now wish to direct their efforts
In their document. which they call "The True Tenn
perance Position" they traverse tho situation and
claim that owing to the confusion con-
founded" which prevails, "The blessing peace has
been supplanted by the discord. that class has
been arraycd against class and bitterness and bad
blood abound. and that force has produced force.
antagonism has created antagonism."
THE GERMANS LIDELLED.
The paper goes on to charge that the "worst
slanderers. viifers and libeers" of tho German
people their aims and objects. been not merely
the ignorant and the prejudced but the intelligent.
the educated and the clergy. Is argued that the
demand for L change i'll the "blue laws" came not
originally from Germans. but Americans; that limo
cent amusement and hcalthful recreation were de-
manded not alone by Germans and that the rum
aud beer traffic. for the introduction of which they
are held responsible. was introduced in Newark
and New Jersey two hundred years ago. when
the Puritan families OF the state bought their titles
from the Indians paying therefor large quantities Of
rum and beer, together with swords, pistols, guns
powder and other articles. In conclusion, the Ger
mans say
Coming back the subject OF immediate concern. the
local contentious let explain for all true posi-
tonwha believe. what aim mt aud what strive
for
We believe in law and ordcr and appeal to record
class to faith by works without MUIR
bear full share OF We ever ready
and willing bear all the other burdens Of citizenship.
be required Of crucial period
OF the late civil war To carry lives ~ hands aud
lay them the altar OF the Union In the OF
national law and order thousands OF countrymon
have done In tho past.
rHE RIGHr PERSONAL FREEDOM
. As American citizens claim the right guaranteed
by the of the United States aud of New
Jersey alone determine aud control personal habits
and all times and 70 worship God In any
It, provided course inringcs neither law
upOn the lawful rights and privileges of others
We believe Ia the constitutional right Of pctitioung
aud lawfully agating for redress OF what we consider
a. We believe that existing sunday laws which make II
apunsbabc offence to do almost anything, except to
and which laws in the main obey cd by should
. our idea of SUNDAY law such as would reasonably
public il that IL should be modelled what after
tn e on. now eSrnR ~ smnuny sl a 90 ,e",
science and makes Sunday day OF rest and rccreation
well ct religious exercise that kind Of sunday which
sn blessing 10 weary mortas-notA du'' snp'u' sense
less ana fanattcal curse
q We believe IN temperance. true temperance. BE ye
OF the grntcst causes OF ntcmperance that most per-
ncious OF American customs that Is entirely unknown
heart ly will join with aud all of our ncghbors In
securing change
religion nut demand. under the constitution OF New
Jersey. the cOmpctcst OF Church and state
ali any who opony seek put God la the
ti.ution " who civil officers to enact religious