Baltimore-Sunday Laws

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1857

Baltimore—Sunday Laws.

The Grand Jury of Baltimore, grieved by the rowdyism which disgraces this city, proposes to enforce a strict Sunday law on all classes of citizens. The press, a few papers excepted, lauds this resolve in the usual and stereotyped terms befitting such occasions. None, however, has one word to say against the injustice of forcing Sabbath-keepers to submit to the despotic will of the majority, and keep two Sabbaths a week. The many Jews of this city should not only not submit to that unjust and oppressive measure, but protest loudly and emphatically against it. Are we in a free country, or are we not? Are the constitution and laws a guarantee against oppression and injustice, or are they merely a dead letter, the milk-cow of lawyers? If the city fathers are unable to manage their affairs without doing a grievous wrong to their fellow citizens, let them resign, and let better men be elected. If the city fathers are not aware of the fact, that among those who disturb the peace of the city, there is no Jew, let them know it in plain and bold language. It is all right to be no demagogue, no office-hunter and no public crier; but it is not right to be imposed upon, and bear it with lamb-like meekness. Liberty must be guarded by vigilance, and injustice must be repulsed by sound argument.—Israelite.