Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-09
Correspondence Of the Free Press and Times.
The Centennial Sunday Question In PhIIadel'
phia.

The Centennial sunday Question In PhIIadel'
PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 1876.
This city is in blaze of excitement on the
question whether the Centennial Exhibition
shall be opened on the Sabbath. The COM
mission, you know, after long debate,
decided not to open it on the Sabbath.
Immediately there sprang up feeling In
opposition to this decision which eliminated
in large mass meeting, in this city. At this
meeting several prominent men and clergy
men Of the city undertook to express what
they denominated the feelings and the de-
mands of the masses of the people in favor
Of giving the workiDgmen of the city and
vicinity..thc opportunity of visiting this great
exhibition of the worlds industry, when ii
would not make it necessary for them to
lose days wages to accomplish it. The
president and members Of the - Liberal
League Club" an institution composed main
| ly of men and women who would break
down everything of a religions or moral
| character in our national institutions, be-
came quite belligcrent over it. The presi-
dent predicted "a close and bloody war
over it. " A vigorous virago in female at
tire declared that d" the spirit of &c
coursed in her veins, and the pigheaded, reli-
gious bigots rad better keep out of the way.
If the Exposition could not be opened on
Sunday, in a fair way, it must be with crow
bars and pick-axes. " The president closed
the discussion by telling his hearers to "look
out for the bayonet and the bullet Let US
start revolution, if necessary, to open the
Centennial gates"
On the other hand the friends of the Sab
bath held large mass meeting, much larger
in numbers than any that has been held, at
which resolutions were presented, discussed
and adopted. commenting the course Of the
Commissioners, and pledging the Christian
sentiment of the city to sustain them. Mr.
Corllss, the proprietor of the great engine
which runs the whole machinery Of the
exposition, declared that his engine could
not run on Sunday and in behalf of the New
England exhibitors said that every article
on exhibition from that portion of the coun-
try would be covered from sight if the expo
sition was opened on Sunday. The English
Commissioner made similar declaration.
The press of the city are divided on the sub
ject Forney's Press fayors the opening,
whilst the Enquirer opposes it. The Times
gives both sides of the question, with lean
ings toward n compromise by opening the
grounds but not the buildings The railroad
interest fayors it strongly Us also do the liquor
shops. Now only an occasional train runs on
the Sabbath, bat the liquor shops in the
vicinity Of the grounds are opcn every day,
notwithstanding there IS an ordinance Of the
city which requires them to close en- the sab
bath. If the rule is repealed excursions
from New York and other places will be
planned. and the railroads and liquor shops
viii receive the profits. The excitement i
great. the pressure upon the com
mission Is strong to ahrosatc the rule.
and not little fear is expressed that they
may succumb to the pressure. Gen. llaw-
ley tells the commission that he shall
resign the presidency fit j. done, but that
calamity could be easily repaired. Other
men would gladly take the Office. What the
commission need, and should have. is an OK
preston of the moral and Christian scnti-
ment Of the nation to back them up. They
already have that of the city. some excel
lent and stirring diScourse- have been de-
liyered upon it by the orthodox clergymen
of the city. The Presbyterian general as
sembly. recently in session at Brooklyn. y
Y, passed strong resolutions endorsing the
action Of the commissioners. Other bodies
have done tie same. The Congregational
convention Of Vermont ought to take some
action and 80 should every other occlesiasti-
cal body that holds any meetings this
month The prevailing sentiment here.
Judge to be that the commission should he
sustained in keeping the doors Of the cxhi-
btion closed on Sunday, hut the pressure
may be too strong for them to resist. hear
threats of a riot if the gate are not opened, !
hut all such demonstrations VIII be prompt
ly suppressed ly the city authorities, who |
viii also. it is said, enforce the laws against |
sunday crog-shors The railroad interest,
that Of the Pennsylvania railroad,
which j. a powerful monopoly. and the
the liquor shops, which are in large force. in
and out of the Centennial grounds. arc in
strong combination with the inhieiity and
'o-called liberal sentiment of the civ and
country. to break down the Christian sal
bath. The combined strength Of ali the
70 .isiou~ and moral sentiment OF the nation
nay be necessary to prevent it.
Yours, Ono.