The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-09
THE HEBREW QUESTION.
Another Argument Why the Jews Sunday
Should Be Respected.

To the Editor of The Spy: The remarks
of the Citizen" in reply to my appeal to
justice" show most clearly the narrow
and insupportable basis upon which he
has founded his arguments. 81
Let us look at the genuineness and sin
certify of this law, Is there any life-giving
power in it? Does the civilization of to-
day demand such law? Is there any
reason for its existence?
The Citizen claims that this is Chris
tian country and not Jewish, and that the
laws are made with Christian sentiment.
If this law was ruled by Christian senti-
ment it could not make sucn an unjust de-
mand.
l have always understood that Chris
tianity was synonymous with freedom, I'M
restricted worship and the principle of
giving to people what belongs to them.
We will have to do what our souls abhor;
we must be false to our innermost con-
viction. Is this Christian-like?
A Christian law would not demand five
days of work under the terrible pressure
of competition of today. 1t would not de-
mand it at a time when the small bust
accommodating trusts. The Christian senti-
ment is give unto others what is due to
them. What is due to us Is the right to
work as many days as our neighbors, and
to rest on day when we are commanded
to rest. This is impossible If we must
open our stores on Sunday.
The Citizen" writes that class legisla-
ton cannot be made exclusively for the
Jews. In the history of this country have
the Jews ever asked for class legislation?
But when the state interferes with relig-
ion, would you want us to submit to law
which is one great error in itself without
first pointing out that error? Every citi-
zen In this country is greater than the law
which the citizen has made. Peoples
rio nd
our attention than any supposed danger
which may come from class legislation
Are laws made to be scattered in the
courts like lifeleSs, immoveable blocks of
stone from under which one can hear the
complaints of people whose lives must be
fashioned by the laws of stone? or are
laws made to make life worth living for
to adapt the laws to the circumstances
and needs of the people? Whether the
Chinaman respects the Christian Sabbath
is of no Importance; but it is important
days in the week. The day of rest must
follow on Sunday. Saturday is the end of
the week for u.s. and we cannot commence
our week by day of rest.
If the Jews are an Industrious and hard
working people 1t is not for the courts to
oppose our way of living, but to commend
| It. What Is the genuineness of this law?
| Is 1t merely for semblance, for the sake of
appearance, that we must close our stores +?
There are many stores owned by Chris
| tians that have to be and are kept OPEN
the hotels, the apothecaries, the places Of
| amusement are open The needs of orr
| lives are such that laws cannot obliterate
| the things which serve those needs Even
| II the aim of the law is to give the city an
1 appearance of quiet, would the opening of
Jewish stores cause the streams of people
to come from their homes? Do we have
auctions, fairs, sales, on Sunday? Do we
excite as much unrest and excitement
as exists at the places of amusement?
| II has been said that because the Catho-
lies support the parochial school and pay
/ taxes we should serve Sunday and Satur-
| day. l see nothing In common between
these examples. | think the Catholics re-
ceive their just recompense for the taxes
they pay in education and in other adj
vantages.
The. Catholics enjoy the use of the high
| schools and normal school. The Jews have
also to support their Hebrew schools. We
are not posing as prosecuted people.
The Jewish people have never posed We
| could not counterfeit the tragedy of life.
| In the past we have lived the drama The
last act we live in America with liberty,
education, and happiness. We,have shown
| IN our relations to our country that ac-
| tivity and cheerfulness which emanates
from the blessings of free country. Com
| plants are not heard from u.s. There Is
nc, ground for them. Demands are not
asked, because we have all that other cit
izens nave. Who is there In this city who
can say sincerely that what we demand
now is not just, that our complaint has no
| ground? We are not whining or begging
Tor more privileges than others have. we
are asking Tor equality, to work as many
days as our neighbors work We are ask
Ing that the observance of our Sabbath be
not interfered with. This law, in its rela.
ton TO us, can do us no good, but harm:
cannot benefit our neighbours; 1t has nc
life no validity to support 1t. and does moi
deserve the support Of any citizen. A,