The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-22
THE CONTINENTAL SUNDAY
Observations on the Present Status Of
This Question in France and Germany.
A Tendency Toward aStrictsr Observance. Ac-
cOmpanied by Very Marked Decrease in
Labor and Business on that Day.


United States. But over here the sgits-
ton and trend are decidedly favorable to a
strict observance of that day, whereas the
clamor of large classes in our mixed Amer
lean population is for changes in the oppo-
site direction. Viewing the day solely in
its civil aspect as q day of rest,
the difference between Europe and
America seems to be that on
this side of the Atlantic there is an effort
30 realize the very conditions which on the
other aide are in danger Of being wantonly
given up. So marked are the opposite ten
dencies that, assuming their indefinite
continuance, it is not impossible to imagine
time when Sunday will find In European
lands its most Jealous champions. and in
America a state of things the precise coun-
terpart of what has seemed to the Ameri-
can mind. as we have observed it in others,
an example TO be deprecated and Stunned.
This new putting of the status OF Sun
DAY In Europe will awaken surprise in
many quarters and to those who are ig-
norant of the latest developments over
here it will be 80 much of q novelty that
they Will hardly be able TO credit it. The
average American, we venture to believe.
thinks of Sunday on the continent as
hopeless cause. a day secularized quite be-
yond remedy, an institution with no
friends to fight for IL. and with scarcely
enough vitality in il TO provoke discus
sion. We even suspect that this view Is held
In mild form by not few who have had
the advantage of continental travel. The
Americans who visit Europe are here only
as sightseers. With rare exceptions. they
scarcely ever inquire about institutions
aud laws seldom penetrate beneath the sur
face OF things, and as for the Sabbath. it Is
notorious that very many American tour-
over here cares for it, that they cease very
soon to show any regard for IL
themselves. Spite OF ell. however,
there Is such thing as Sabbath observ-
ance even on the continent of Europe, and
it will interest and crafty the better class
OF your readers especially the working
class to be assured, by one who has inves-
tlgated the subject that In France and
Germany the day is so much better regard
ed than it used 20 be as TO afford Ieasona-
bic hope that IL will become eventually, if
not a strictly religious holiday. at least a
day on which all business and labor will be
suspended.
AGITATION IN BERLIN.
In Berlin. at the time we write, the Sun
day question Is the question of the hour.
One thing which shows this is the zeal of
those who stand up for the old order of
things. In his lecture at the university. q
few days ago, Prof. Won Treitschkc, the
great Prussisn historian, digressed from
his theme 20 say with pronounced empha-
SIS: I'VE don't want the American Sun
day; we are satisfied with the German
Sunday" Undoubtedly many of the
people are satisfied; but some are
not not, and md. this is notably the case
Sunday has been heretofore day
OF toll. with nothing TO distinguish il from
other days. Not only are the latter dis
satisfied with the German Sunday. but
their complaints have found potential ex-
preston. and have been Incorporated with
in recent months into law of the Reich
stag.
This law makes long strides toward the
prohibition in Germany of all Sunday
labor. 1t effects factories workshops of
foes. stores and almost every other place
either OF manufacture or merchandise. In
many departments Sunday labor must
be brought down to the minimum in every
department.. Such is the new law in Ger
many Its effects in Berlin are very
marked. The shops now can be kept open
not more than five hours on Sundays, and
one of the best evidences that German
authorities are in earnest in this reform is
shat the police so far have fearlessiy done
their duty. The trader may choose his
own time, but the hours he selects must
not be from 10 To II. nor from g to Z, be-
cause these are church hours. when every
thing must be closed up. Another require
ment Is that the shopkeeper. having chosen
his time for Sunday opening, must report
the same TO the police. with proper record
at police headquarters This makes il
easier for these officials TO see that the new
law Is properly regarded.
It'll quite true that these conditions are
not ideal. The reform indeed is a very
partial one, and when 1t ls remem bered
that these new regulations do not affect In
the least the ever privileged drinking ga
loon. the situation becomes more unsatis-
factory still But the new regime is O de-
plants, and however far this movement
may fall short of what is needed. it GER
tainly indicates progress. One has
To remember. however. that 1t is
it's origin or intent 1t is quite
In harmony with religion in so far as ir
stricts from Sunday labor and suspends
business on that day. But the enactment
IN the least due To any action on the art
OF tie churches or to any desire to keep
Sunday as a holy day. 1t Is strictly
working-class reform. 1t originated in
the demand of the class for day of rest
from secular toll. ana. as all arc agreed. it
was taken up by the government largely as
q matter of policy, because it was pushed
so urgently by that growing party in Ger
man politics known as the Social Demo-
Gratis.
IMPROVEMENT IN FRANCE.
In regard Co France. if one may Judge of
the nation generally by what Is obvious in
Paris the improvement here is little less
marked than in the dominions of the
KAISER. With this difference. however.
that the changes in the former of these
countries are due solely to the force of
sentiment, without. yet. any advanced
action OF the legislature on the subject.
But II the recent years have witnessed
no change In the French law, they have
at least brought forth ono very tan gi BILE
thing. and that is Sunday observance
Soclety. Its full French title Is LA Ligue
Populaire Pour lie Repos Du Dimanche Ell
France" The first president of this Ieague
was NJ. Jules Simon, and the gentleman
BOW filling that office Is NJ. Leon Say. Both
Are members OF the French Academy, and
besides being eminent in literature, thoy
are distinguished III political life Jules
Simon Is q Senator and one of the finest
orators in France. while Leon Say is an elo-
Qu~nt and influential Deputy. Neither of
these gentlemen is a confessed Christian,
though the last named is nominally q
Protestant.
This society, however. Is IN no sense re-
ligIous BODY, nor does IL profess TO seek re-
hgIous ends. Senator jules Simon said of
IL somea time ago: We desire that our
workmen may have q days rest once n
week, and Sunday is naturally the day we
have chosen. But our undertaking is
difficult one, because il runs counter to
numerous customs and interests. Two
years ago our society numbered twenty
persons; to-day wo count over $500
Iawa DO Of