Connecticut western news., 1883-06-13


 THE Sunday passenger anH newspa- per train which the Housatonic railroad recently commenced running, awakened not only the clergymen and 4tot also all moral and civil law abiding citi- zens of Berkshire and Litchfeld coun- ties to the fact that the gauntlet had been thrown down, the challenge given and they must decide whether the Sab bath should be respected, observed and kept holy in accordance with the com mandments of God, or whetheE hould be wantonly desecrated, maaA aof business and pleasure, day for = hr- sions with music, revelry and intszlca- tion. The challenge was ss6oupasan responded to and petitions signed by the clergymen and mcs ypeetabie citizens in Berkshire and Litchfeld county were presented to the Housaton- ic railroad company, asking that the train be discontinued. The train has been discontinued in Berkshire county. But Litchfeld county still endures the desecration of the Sabbath and the eyes of all New England are turned toward her to see what is the prevailing senti- ment of her citizens. Various and con- ficting reasons are given for the discon- tinuance of the Sunday train in Berk- shire county and it is amusing to see what dilemma the editors of different papers have placed the Housatonic rail road in. Some papers claim the train did not pay running expenses, therefore the company took it off in Berkshire coun. ty; others claim the company respected and granted the Berkshire county peti tions to have the train discontinued others claim the company were notified that the authorities in Berkshire county intended to seize the train and ares the conductor and train men, and fo this reason the train was halted a Canaan. One thing is certain, however . the train has been discontinued il Berkshire county and the better clas of citizens rejoice, and are ready t. thank the Housatonic railroad compan, if they discontinued the train out of re spect to the petitions sent them. w are aware that the clergy and signers o the remonstrances against the Sunda, train have been ridiculed and insulte' by many papers in the state and out 0 it. We.are sorry to see any journal re sort to this course. The press ough to uphold the hands of the clergy in
 case of this character, wher the highest interests of society ar at stake, and the desecration is premed itated. One journal devoted 2a CO umns editorial to stating both sides ( the question and his arguments may | summed up by saying that he make the discovery that "black is white" W think that he will have hard work | make his readers think as he does. I'll present time is the golden opportunit to agitate and discuss the Sunday trai business. The question comes home everyone, are we willing to let down a the bars, remove all the barriers, thro open the doors, and let in all the mutt tude who want to transform Sunday il to a day of business and pleasure Recollect the enemy is approaching ar unless we bravely defend the fort
 must be surrendered, and the quie peaceful and welcome Sabbath day wi soon become matter of history. In i place we shall see day whose week return will be dreaded, instead of loo ed forward to as day of rest al sanctuary priveliges. We doubt
 there is man on the Housaton railroad who prefers to work on Sunda All whom we have interviewed wou prefer to rest on Sunday, rather thi work, even for large pay. The arg ments in favor of the Sunday passeng train are so weak and the excuse
 himsy, that it is unnecessary to reyie them. When viewed in the light
 religion or morality they dissolve
 A foQ before the morning sun.