New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-09-17
-DDRE5S
OF The Executive COMMITTEES Of chs North
American Gymnastio Union

American Gymnastio Union
Murner Bund).
The late National Convention of The
North American Gymnastic Union
lIurner-B und) held in the city Of Dav-
export, State Of Iowa, in the month Of
June, 1884, unanimously renewed its
protest against the enactment and at
tempted enforcement of so-called pro-
hibit0ry or repressive laws, and at the
same time saw fit to instruct the under
signed National Executive Committee
of the "BUND'' to issue to its members
and others, from time to time, circular
letters or protests setting forth, briefly
and tersely. their objections to these
obnoxious measures, together with suc-
gestiOns as to the most effective means
of meeting and defeating the same. we
beg hereby to submit to q candid pub
lie, this. our first response to that in
struction.
Lest our motives in this contest might
in some manner, or by some one. be
misconstrned, we premise:
That this action was taken bv the
convention, and its mandate is obevcd
by us, IN the interest, or at the instipa-
ton OF no industry or branch of business
OF any kind whatever, but simply and
solely upon PRINCIPLE.
And we wish to add, further, that we
yield to no one in our adherence Of the
ABUSE, not merely of alcoholic refrsh.
ments, but of each of NATURES other
gifts as we'll. Nor will we be content
with anything less than the swift and
certain punishment OF every offender a.
gainst the rights of his fellow-beinrs. or
against morals and the good order Of
society; recognizing as we do in the pas
sage and enforcement of laws aiming
at this end the true function and limit
OF State and municipal legislation, and
believing that all else is and should be
. matter of individual concern and be-
lief or private right.
We must and do protest, however.
against that medieval system of at
tempted law-making which, at best
destroys the rights and curtails the Ii
berties OF the MANY on account of inn
moderation and vices of the FEW; and
we hold that by natural law. which
found expression in our National De-
claration OF independence in the
words, Governments derive their Just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned, all such attempts at patriarchal
Legislation are forbidden; and that no
true power exists in any State or muni-
cipality to destroy the free agency Of
any one human being, because Of the
possibility that another may abuse the
liberty guaranteed to every one by our
National Constitution.
Neither do we now place much stress
upon the established tact that "Prohibi-
ton fails to prohibit, !" beyond pointing
to it as but another demonstration that
prohibition is wrong in principle. No
extreme measure can ever live or be
enforced in any community without
both the moral support of that COM
munity, and the conviction on the part
of those entrusted with its execution.
that it is right and just in principle;
hence, the failure.
We oppose all prohibitory and sumr-
tuary laws as being:
|. Wrong in principle.
2. A preversion of truo government
tai functions.
3. Destructive of human free-agen-
cy, of self-respect and character.
4. And as but poorly disguised at
tempts to force the private opinions of
one part Of a community upon the un-
willing minds and rebelling conscience
es of the other.
We hold that every honest means
should be employed to repress and de-
stroy the further growth of those nox-
iOus and dangerous doctrines; and VIC
know of no more effective means than
the intelligent use of tho right of suf-
frage.
Every member of the North Ameri.
can Turner-Bund is either citizen Of
the United States, or has declared his
intention to become such.
We most earnestly urge upon: al
members. as we'll as upon others who
unite with us in the love Of true liberty,
to vote as they THINK; and to assist in
elevating to public Office or power of nc
candidate who does not occupy posi-
ton of open and manly antagonism to
all like invasions Of personal liberty.
In urging this means we do not, Of
course, desire to exclude any other,
Intelligent, enlightened men can at al
times. and in many ways, assist in
| spreading light and repelling darkness.
By what we have said, and shall here
after take occasion to say, we but aim
to awaken you to realization of your
plain duty as citizens in a matter OF
grave Importance.
st. Louis, August, 1884.
HuGO GOLLmER, Cor. Sec'y.
DR.. II. N. STARK OFF, Pres't.