The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-05-04
BARNUM, THE RENOWNED SNOWMAN.

lie wADEs INTO THE PREACHERS THE
DOOR STILL OPEN FOR THEM TO COME
HE HAS NEITHER HORNS NOR HOOPS.
The Methodist clergymen of Delaware
are at odds with Barnum upon the subject
OF the moral and relig ious aspect of 6 the
greatest show on earth" Wheraat Mr..
Barnum addresses them as follows in the
columns of the Wilmington, Del Repu5h-
can:
EDITOR OF REpUBLICAN:--Re Rev. Mr..
Caldwell of ST. Paul's NJ. E. Church, who
condemns me unheard, is an object of pity.
He has my sympathy for permitting I'M
founded prejudice 10 prevent him from see
ing the most carefully arranged, moral, in
structive and extensive display Of natures
marvels that he probably ever before had
an opportunity Of beholding "a one time.
OF course, by shutting his eyes, he may
believe it is dark, and he may, by shutting
his understanding, avoid the great sin of
looking on my profane girattes my drunken
sea lions my swindling camels, my gam
bling rhinoceros, thieving monkeys, de-
bauched antelopes and liamas, degraded
lions, tigers and leopardS, slanderous os-
triches, hypocritical vultures, heretical
golden pigeons, irreligious parrots and
cantankerous cockatoos. He will, by the
same process, be spared the humiliation of
associating with my vulgar Temperance
Family" life size, in wax. He won't even
risk his precious soul by beholdiug the Be-
hemoth, the giants, the dwarfs, the tattooed
Greek nobleman, nor the moving model of
the famous Strasburg Apostolic clock;
neither will his salvation be jeopardzed by
locking on tanned elephants, unregenerateG
horse riding bears; frisky, dancing ponies,
athletic men and educated horses.
And then these holy Methodist clergy
men, who, | understand, seriously resolved
not to accept Barnum's complimentary
tickets! What a narrow escape they had!
Oh, if they had lived to have seen one of
my stations leap over half dozen ele
plants, Old "Nck" would have had their
souls. BE careful, gentlemen, don't smile,
for that is too wicked.
Seriously, my reverend friends, before
condemning me, you should have learned
that l have nearly revolutionized public
entertainments, and especially travelling
shows, by compelling their proprietors to
abolish liquor selling, gambling and vul-
garity. l have made it lule never to
Off, r any exhibition that a Christian mother
and daughter, yes, and her clergyman, Gf
he had good sense) could not witness with
approval.
The religious world north, east and west,
who knew me (as you do not, and who re-
cognize healthtul recreation as necessary
alike to body and mind, are among my
very best patrons. The arm chairs which
| charitably intended for these clergymen,
will be occupied by respectable ladies and
children-by parents, vino, i'll this genera
ton, are not to be driven to caves and dun
geons, lest the light of the sun might shine
on them.
will venture to affirm that a good ring
ing, innocent laugh and a cheerful face are
more acceptable before he heavenly throne
than the groans and signs caused by mole
eyed, self-righteous Pharisaism, which hyp-
ocritically or ignorantly exclaims: 90 Stand
by, am holer than thou" This is bogus
Christianity. | will forgive these clerical
gentlemen for trying to iniure my business,
and if, on reflection, they see their error III
time for the big show, the door is still open.
| will overlook their misdoings and give
them one more chance to see "the greatest
show On earth"
They may, at the same time. discover
that its proprietor has neither horns nor
hoofS, and that he is as anxious as them.
selves to make the world better for his
having lived in it. p. Il. BARNUM.