The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-23
REV. D. W. FISHER.
Something About Cincinnati, It's Culture,
Its Sabbath Dissertation, Churches,
Art, Co., &c.
An Article That May Stir Up the Wicked
Editor Down There.


For some years past Its own
people and the people of the region OF
which it is the centre, have been disposed
to DO little vain in regard to some of the
forms Of culture which II has specially af-
fected. We have had the great musical
festival: magnificent hall has been built
for such purposes, and grand organ has
been placed in it. New York has been
robbed OF Theodore Thomas and he has
been in installed as the head Of a college OF
music. The city has been adorned with
very handsome work Of art in the shape OF
the Probasco fountain. A fine Geological
Garden has been opened. There is no.
where to be seen moro handsome subur-
ban village than Clifton. All Of this has
been unobjectionablc, anda just matter OF
pride to the citizens.
NEW DEPARTURE.
But along with these signs OF taste and
munitcence others have appeared which
for years have been exciting the anxiety
ofthoughtful people. There has been q
strong disposition to cut loose from old
landmarks OF morality and rcligion-not
merely those which have been narrow and
sectarian, but even from those which, in
the century past have been vitality associ-
ated with the prosperity OF American in:
situations. Cincinnati has largely initiated
the manners OF certain regions OF Europe,
and in some particulars has gone step
beyond what would be possible in those
lands where strong central government
regulates the conduct OF its subjects. The
Bible has been dismissed from the public
schools. Beer and wine have been SUBJ
stituted largely for water or ten and coffee,
as popular beverages. The hill.tops have
been converted into public resorts, where
II is considered to DO quite gcnteel for
ladies and gentlemen to gather about ta-
bles and drink liquors while listening to
the music OF some choice orchestra. Sunday
laws have become obsolete. Sunday news
papers are largely circulated. Thousands
use the Sabbath rs a time for excursions
or other forms OF recreation. The truth is
that while business generally ceases on
that day, it, with multitudes, assumes no
religious character.
TIE PARIS OF AMERICA
1t has become quite fashionable in this
region to speak OF Cincinnati as the Spar
is OF America" rs il the name had in 1t a
great compliment. Here again, thought
full people have been more than doubtful
Us to the use OF the phrase. To compare
Cincinnati or any other American city
with the metropolis OF francois to its out
ward appearance, is simply absurd. In
the magnificencc OF its bouleyards, its bull
dings, its public places, and its works OF
art, Paris SO far excels, that the wisest
thing for any OF our cities is not to speak
OF the French capital along with their
poor displays. It only serves to bring out
disadvantageous contrast in the mind OF
any person who has ever seen both places.
II by the "Paris OF America" it is meant
that Cincinnati has been copying the pc.
culiar morals OF the foreign metropolis, to
the thoughtful person it signifies some
thing worse than absurdity. Is there any,
thing in the frivolous gaiety, the reckless
irreligion, or the sud modern history Of
Paris, which ought to commend It as n pat
tern? II there is a place in Europe whose
character Us to these particulars ought to
be abhorred by us, and avoided 1t is Paris.
| say this 'unhesitatingly, although there
are plenty OF silly men and women all
over our country who imagine the French
metropolisto be aboutas much like heaven
as anything they could wish to enjoy on
earth. They flock there to run the round
OF Its gaieties, 10 be cheated in its shops !;
and they send up their children to be ed
ucated in Its poisonous atmosphere.
THE "soDoM OF AMERICA"
Recent Developments have suggested
the question, whether the title "Sodom Of
America" would not more appropriately
describe Cincinnati. 1t Is claimed that the
Communists OF the city number twenty
five thousand. That means that one out
ofeyery fourteen people is ready to strike
ut the very foundations OF society, and
break up all that is sacred in the family,
the state and the church. My recollection
is that there are about three thousand
saloons, or onefor every hundred and seven
teen persons, men women and children.
Estimating five persons to family, every
twenty.four families support saloon.
Recently, however, one OF the most con-
servative and reliable newspapers Of the
city has brought to light another set OF
figures which are II possible even more
startling. Gradually the theatres, especial
ly OF the lower order, have been opening
on the Sabbath, until now nearly all arc
in full blast on that day. By count two
Sabbaths ago over ten thousand persons
were In attendance in the evening upon
these places,-a large proportion being
young people OF both sexes. The perfor.
inances were Of kind which was debased
enough to crafty the appetites Of the low
est. Last Sabbath evening IN immense
hall was packed by q comparatively decent
looking audience to hear Ingersoll in his
iniidel TRADE, called by him, the Mistakes
Of Moses" lecture utterly destitute Of
argument, rehash OF stale gibes and
SCOTS, OF which any scholarly sceptic
would be ashamed.
OTHER CITIES IN COMPARISON.
OF course, these statements do not ade-
quately present either side OF the picture.
There is much good which statistics can
not exhibit. And OF the evil, that which
appears upon the surface is but small
portion. But enough has been written to
give general idea OF the prevailing state
80 thtYs,o Aud uat 7 have 80 ransa,, u,