New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
SUND4Y LTQUOR-SELLING,

In deciding that the American Sunday shall
remain American the Excise Law Commission
have done what is right and in harmony with
public sentiment The argument that no law
| has ever been enforced which has prohibited
| the sale of LIQUOR on Sunday will not impress
sensible people. In the first place it is not
true in the next place, the inference from it,
even if it were true, is by no means necessary
and in the third place, it is the argument of the
law-breaker and not of the citizen who intends
| to respect the statute-books. Laws against
| Sunday selling can be enforced, have been en-
forced, and ought to be enforced. Admitting,
for arguments sake, that the public demand for
liquor, and not considerations Of morality and
civil order, should determine the question Of
the necessity of Sunday selling, it would still
be entirely proper to claim that no such de-
mand exists. The fact that the saloons, if they
keep open, find plenty to do, does not de-
monstrate a public demand for them at all.
The notion stores, the theatres, the museums
and dozens of other trades and occupations
could by that proof easily show that they, too,
were a necessity.
The word necessity used in relation to Sun
day selling cannot reasonably apply to articles
people must have liquor on Sunday, they can
get it the day before. If they don't want it
enough to take that trouble then, assuredly.
it is not necessity. and no such public demand
can be said to exist for it as iustiiieS the people
in violating their Sunday traditions in favor of
the saloons. The employment of Sunday as
day of rest of freedom from excitement and
from all sources of excitement, has contributed
largely to our wonderful National progress.
The American people live too rapidly and work
too hard, anyhow. They need day out of the
seven when they have the legal right to rest,
and when they should be protected in the en-
joyment of it, and when all that prOvOkes eX-
element and leads to excuses should be dis
couraged. large majority of the American
people, that portion which, by reason of char
acter as well as numbers, is entitled to respect
and consideration, is religious. TO all these
people Sunday is sacred and set apart for de-
votion. 1t cannot be denied that liquor-seling
on Sunday is a positive infringement of the
rights of Christian people. 1t creates disorder
on the streets in the vicinity of churches, and
it promotes crimes of all classes.
1t is true that the machinery for the enforce
ment of the law is not perfect, and saloon
keepers especially in the crowded cities will
probably evade and in some cases defy it. But
we do not suppose that all laws to prevent
crime and public disturbances should be re-
pealed because those who desire to commit
crimes and disturbances say they will evade
and defy the laws. We do not suppose that the
test of law is the will of the law-breaker.
If it is, the argument that the Sunday law will
not be obeyed is good argument against pass
ing it. Otherwise it is no argument at all.
The liquor dealers in this State are Just now
particularly free with boasts as to what they
will and what they will not do. They interpret
their domination of Governor Hill and the Dem
ocratic party as an insurance against molesta-
ton in the interest of morality. They consider
themselves intrenched and safe against all
measures that look to the repression of the
saloon evil. We think they are deploraby in
error. The sober minded people Of NewYork
will not consent to the rule Of saloons.