Washington Journal., 1913-06-28
THE HON. SIMON WOLF
Expresses In lucid
language his opinion
new Excise Law
as affecting the clubs.
Washington, D. c. June "a. 1918.
Of the Washington Journal,

Dear Sir:
| never believed that the day wonld come during my lifetime when
would have to say vale" to the rational enjoyment Of Sunday at the
dear old Saengerbund, but the law recently enacted by Congress makes
it prohibiory for any club or association to enjoy themselves as in their
judgment is deemed best and conducive to bring about the real spirit
of personal liberty. How the veterans Of the Saengerbund, who also
were veterans in the Civil War, and who have been summoned to
their final rest, would hold up their hands in horror could they revisit
this mundane sphere, and be made cognizant OF this spirit Of fanatt
cism, bigotry and narrowness. that now not only envelopes the Dis
|hct Of Columbia like a pail but is made the dominant political fac
tor all over the Tnited States. | cans see no change 81 4 rea *iops ext
|cept in The strict enforcement Of The law as it now stands, for as Cen
eral Grant always said, ~The only way to have a bad law repealed
BIS to enforce it." The hour will come when the better sense of the
community will take an advance step in the matter Of Sunday enjoy
|ment The closing Of legitimate clubs such as the Saengerbund, the
Aion Singing Society, the Army and Navy, the Cosmos, the Metro
Ipoltan. the Eks, and the Eagles, does not strengthen the Church or
fortfy the principles of sane reigion-on the contrary, it swells the
Legion of hypocrtes and perIurers, and creates an army OF inventors
who cncumvent law and strengthens the remarks Of socialists and an
archists. II il laughable to think how little the people as a mass, know
of the real aims and objects of an association such as the Saenger-
|bmd. Here is one Of the oldest civic organizations which has contri
|buted to the welfare and uplit Of the community in every direction,
and in that broad spri Of brotherhood and civilization, spread the
light OF music, song and good cheer, and has brought about the com
radeship between the Germans and Americans which has proven
itself of vast benefit along all the lines of civic achievement. These
people come to the sa~engerbund with their wives and children, in the
spirit Of the family life, not Of a barroom, and enjoy themselves as
they would in their own domce, which it practically is to all intents
and purposes. Yet the stupid and ignorant representatives Of small
communities that have never known the progressive spirit Of the age
or the natural tendencies of men, dictate the closing Of these organiza-
tons on Sunday. The spirit fanaticism against the rights Of the indi
vidual will no doubt lead to a state Of persecution similar to that
which existed in New England in the days OF the Blue Laws, where a
man who kissed his wife on Sundays was punished.
Liquor Of any kind cannot be sold or given away possibly even
drank on the premises, and yet who is to forbid any member coming
there with a basket loaded down to the top with bottle beer, light
wines or even whiskey or cocktails, and treat his fellow members to
their hearts content? I should like TO see this process carried into
practical effect, and if nterfered with by the authorities, carry the case
to the Supreme Court Of the United States to test the inaienable
right Of the citizen in enjoying himself within the domain Of his own
home or organization. In one sense the friends Of personal liberty
are receiving their just reward for their inaction, indifference and
supine delay. The. opponents Of personal liberty have been working
day and night. and appealing to the sentimental instead Of the pract-
cal side Of the question. We now have the result Of both actions, but
am confident that in the very near future, when the farmer and man
ufacturer, the people who have commodities TO sell, will feel the sting
Of increased taxation by the closing up Of dstleres, breweries and
saloons, and then once and for all, establish a system Of excise legisa
ton that shall be logical, sane and patriotic
Very sincerely yours,