The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19
blue LAWS OF States
An Address by Simon Wolf Before
the Washington Saengerbund.
The Foundation Of Liberty Lies In
the Enjoyment of Personal Free
dom-Prohibftion Crentes n Feeling
3 of Animosity and Hypocrisy-Thc
Effect of the systcn, ON the People.

At the home OF the Washington Saen-
gerbund, at "a c Street northwest, last
night, Mr.. Simon Wolf delivered an ad-
dress upon the subject of "The Blue Laws
of New England and Maryland and Their
True Significance" large number of
the members OF the society. with their
friends, were present. Mr.. Wolf spoke
Of the commercial, political. and social
rivalry which exists between nations,
which he said was exploited frcn the pull
pit and by the press as II the fate of an
empire and OF mankind was involved.
THE foundation of liberty" said Mr..
Wolf, lies in the enjoyment of personal
freedom. The spirit of self-restraint is,
unfortunately, not sufficiently cultivated.
The true ideas of temperance are ignored,
for it is not prohibition that prohibits
on the contrary, ii creates that feeling of
luminosity and hypocrisy which is de-
structive TO all moral worth, and under
mines all OF the fundamental principles of
government. Therefore. it need not sur
prise us. in looking back over the history
of the United States. TO find that in New
England. to which country a large num-
Der OF the Puritans fed from the tyranny
and oppression practiced by European
rulers. the very conditions from which
they had suffered should have been per-
petuated.
Naturally, the historian and orator
dwells with great fervor and eloquence
on the historic Plymouth Rock. He paints
with uHdying colors the picture of the
Mayfiower blowing through the storms OF
ocean, bearing the pilgrims OF liberty. of
right, and of Justice. yet these very men
and women who had suffered SO much for
conscience were the very men and women
who inaugurated a system of persecution
and fanaticism that finds few parallels in
history.
Not only were the Jews and the Qualsers
looked upon as aliens, against whom no
law was deemed too severe but they also
Incorporated into their body polite and
into their daily life a system so repug
nant TO common sense and so repulsive
to all ideas of elevation that We are alb
solutely astonished how, under such con-
ditions, they fourished at ALL and how
what is called Christianity should have
continued its onward march TO higher
planes of human achievements"
THE Blue Laws of New England. which
have become historical continued the
speaker, were the outgrowth of that spirit
OF fanaticism and misguided Christianity
which today attempts to fasten its fangs
on the good people of the city OF Balti-
more. which has become. by the reslrrec-
ton OF laws long since supposed to have
gone into decay. a typical New England
village OF a hundred years ago, and thus
a great commercial centre is made the
stock of every intelligent. we'll
meaning, and well-disposed American.
The commerce and intercommunica-
tons are Handicapped. and the amenities
AMI courtesies incident TO rational enjoy
ment are absolutely made impossible and
ludicrous. The Sunday instead OF a day
of rest is made day OF unrest. Cleanll-
ness. which is supposed to be next 10 god
illness. is made an impossibility, for the
traveller who arrives on train late sat
urday night or Sunday morning cannot Sc
cure for love of money the needed shave"
In conclusion, Mr.. Wolf said: what !
will be the result of this use of antiquated |
laws? Reaction' Love Of law Will cease. |
Order will be tabooed The spirit OF hypoc- |
risy will triumph. Society will be in a |
state of ferment and opposition. and all |
the well springs so necessary and essential |
10 the eity's welfare will be polluted and |
poisoned by this rank and unnatural in |
aow of fanaucism and abhorrent zeal"