National Republican., 1883-09-26
THE SUNDAY CONCERT.
A Germans Review OF DIR. Buffers Obtcc-
tloDs to IL.


Henry Boernstcin, in his memoirs recently
published, relates "how certain people in st.
Louis in 1850 tried to prevent the Germans
from celebrating the fourth Of July on Sun
day, but that, Notwithstanding their efforts
and threats, the celebration took place, and
in good order and without disturbance" ="
And, strange to say, these same Germans in
1861 were true to tho union saved Missouri
and possibly tho country, while these very
same opponents were seccssionists and fed
southwark.
| am reminded of this incident by reading
in THE REPUBLICAN to-day the remarks of
Rev. DR.. Butler, made yesterday in his church,
i'll opposition to the proposed celebration con-
cert to take place in the Schuetzen park on
Sunday, Oct. Z.
The doctor says he has some German blood
in his veins. 1t must be very little, indeed,
or he certainly would not have said what he
did. German, no matter how bigoted or
liberal, would not oppose the enjoyment of
Sunday in rational way The very liberty
enjoyed in tho afternoon strengthens devo-
tion i'll the morning, and every country in
Europe has recognized the necessity of al
lowing the people outdoor amusements, and
of permitting the opening of all picture gal
leries, libraries, and museums on Sunday, for
it educates the people.
If the doctor had little more German
blood in his veins he would know that the
carly German settlers in this country did
what their descendants are now doing. On
Sunday morning they went to church or not,
and in the afternoon all enjoyed themselves
with their families and friends in social con-
verse, qualing bumper listening to music
and song, aud recognizing that all things
were created for the use of man, and that the
temperate enjoyment thereof sanctiiied every
day and dcsecratod none.
| tFt1I asNff 10 ,sa1 pnlp
bration orators; will not enter into tho
merits of the event, but will say that the
concert will take place, in spite of the petition
inspired by DIR. Butler, and circulated by his
colleague. Tho celebration, if il is to teach
anything, is to typify and symbolizo the free
dom of spirit and social life, and the right of
personal liberty.
Tho concert will not destroy religion, blot
out Sunday or give rise to riot or disorder.
The music and song will be that of Haydn,
Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Abt, and others
all good Germans but what Is of more i'm
portanco they were all free men, who rGcOg-
niscd that Sunday was made for man, and not
man for Sunday" Hence the sublimity and
grandeur of their compositions. We do not war
with the church. its aims, or Objects have no
ambition TO create a state within q state, but
arc determined TO uphold the banner whose
broad folds protect and shield one and all,
irrespective OF sect, race, or color. And that
ilag would be worthless, u cheat, and a sham,
were its stars and stripes to wave over II
community of priest-riddon slaves.
The doctor and others like him, If wise in
their generation had best go hand in hand
with the mon, women and children who will
not only celebrate their ancestors industry,
perseverance,, frugality, problty, and pluck
but also their soul freedom their social
liberty aud their emancipation of creeds.
S. WOLF.
WAsHINGroN, d. C., Sept. 90, 1873.