Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-10-10
BURLINGTON IlAW k-EYE.
The Cunard S,eamships and the sabbath.


The Cunard Steamship and the sabbath.
wsrm controversy Is going on in the public
prints, between the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, and
Mr. e. Cunard, Jr, and Capt. Judkins, of the steam
ship Asia. Mr.. Beecher lately returned from Eu-
rope in the Asia, one Of the Cunard packets. Mr.
Cunard came out as far as Halifax in the same ship
Although there were nine clergymen, of different
denominations on board, besides large number Of
other passengers, they were compelled to pass the
Sabbath without any public religious exercises
The regulations of the CunarG steamships forbid
any such observance Of the Sabbath by their pas
sengers unless the exercises are conducted by an
English clergyman Of the established church, or
by an orthodox minister in good standing, OF the
Prote slant Episcopal Church of the United States.
One hour every morning and two hours on sunday'
are devoted to reading the service of the Church
of England for the benefit of the crew. Passen-
gers may attend ifthey see proper. This service
is read by the captain of the ship, II no English
clergyman is present. The passengers on the Asia,
on the first sabbath out, had conference and APP
pointed respectable merchant of Boston to wait
on Mr. Cunard, and request permission for one OF
the clergymcn on board, to preach. The applica-
ton was refused and the gentleman was referred
to the rules OF the company which EXPIRE forbid
it. The gentleman undertook to expostulate with
Mr. Cunard, and in the course Of conversation ask
ed good many questions. Whereupon Mr. Cunard
quite lost his temper. Mr. Beecher commenting on
the occurrence in the columns Of the Independent,
says:
esThe gentleman from Boston said in the most
friendly manner to him that such an arrangement
was calculated TO produce illfeelings towards the
Cunard line among the Americans, who were quite
unused to such restrictions upon the right of re-
ligious worship. Mr. Cunard replied very tartiy
that he knew very well that the Americans would
patronize their own steamers {alluding to Collins
line.l as soon as they had as much confidence IN
their safety they had in his; that it made him an
cry to bave such limitations held out for threats;
and he added in SO many words, that If Americans
did not choose TO go in his ships, 'sd-n them, let
them stay away!'' He afterwards repeated the
same remark to the writer, in the presence OF sew
era Others and added that if we did not choose to
60 in that line, we 'smight go to h-ll"'
The passengers it seems, however, were permit
ted to use the great saloon on Saturday night to
play at cards. in which says Mr. Beecher) Mr. Gu.
nard engaged with relish.
To these charges Mr. Cunsrd, jr, replies for his
father, and Capt. Judkns, Of the Asia, for himself
The Captain denies the use by Mr. Cunard Of the
language attributed to him by Mr. Beecher; denies
voyage, and denies that they have any rules on
their ships that minister of the Church must Of
necessity preach in contradistinction to those Of
any other denomination. He charges Mr. Beecher
with racking his ainventive powers OF falsehood''
in imputing profane language to Mr. Cunard-snd
appeals to the thousands Of passengers who have
crossed in his ship, whether as he says) thc wri-
ter of such scurrous article dictate the truth
even by acciden..'
Mr. Beecher replies through the Independent to
the cards Of Capt. Judkins and Mr. Cunard. The
English gentlemen no match for their experi-
enced and powerful opponent. Mr. Beecheris mas
ter of style Of composition as terse, clear AMI
direct any other living American writer. His
statements confirmed by two credible witness
es, one of them Mr. VIM G. Lambert, of the firm Of
A. A. Lawrence Co., OF Boston. After reca-
pitula,ing the language Of Dir Cunard as given by
Mr. Beecher, Mr. Lambert adds: "It is, however,
due to MIR Cunard to state, that he Immediately re-
marked, sit always ?rovokes me to have Ameri-
cans threaten to 60 by other boats, and regret
having lost my temper"
A contemporary after reviewing the CONT over
sy, says:
GA love Of justice and fair play imrois 10 say,
that in this affair, MIR Beecher appears 10 have the
right side Of the argument. His rejainder to the
reply Of Mr. Cunard, jr, and Capt. Judkins, is one
Of the most caustic, and at the same time conclu-
sive articles. we ever read. There may be spice
Of malice in it, but there is no getting over its
facts and the way in which they are put. What
the other side may have to state by way Of sur-re-
joinder, remains to be seen; hut at present, the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has the weather -guage
Of his opponents.