The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-21
Mn. pELBRuGGEs CAS-
As Viewed by n well.Known Clergyman
liI- An Incident In Dayton.

As Viewed by n wcii.Itnown Clergyman.
959 An Incident In Dayton.
10 He Editor Of The IHidliJeucsr. fs
SiR:---I was sorry TO read in tho. IL.
rELLtoEScER last Thursday that the
chief Of police in Wheeling had again
forgotten what belonged 10 the dignity
OF his olicc-to say nothing Of what be.
longcd 10 himself and iamily--had
broken his pledge mado some time since
and again fallen into public disgrace.
It's sad thing when any man thus
barriers away his reputation and his
manhood. But it Ia more lamentablc
when tho one who does 1t occupies u
conspicuous place OF responsibility.
Whether wise or unwisc TO have
granted tho chief this chance for trial, |
was exceedingly glad Tint 1t was done,
Tor earnestly hoped that tho peril
which threatened would prove to DO
motive strong enough to turn him aside
from tho too ireQuented path Of evil md
SO produce genuine reform.
l had known for many months, rs
had others, that beyond all reasonable
question, tho chief was in sympathy
with some OF those places whose open
doors arc tho gateway to certain ruin.
But hc was n kind hearted man, too
kind perhaps to DO Just, and this made
1t difficult, II not impossible, for him to
perform honestly the duties OF his re-
sponsiblo office.
l havo been very glad that the N
TELLrGEsCER, while demanding the ac-
ccptance Of his resignation, has done 1t
in 4 spirit OF great kindness 1t is
hardly possible to err by going too far
in tint direction. There arc times
when men in public places feel COM
PEELED to speak in defence OF the public
good, and in SO doing Nro obliged to con.
denim those who are in the wrong. But
this should always be done in way
which will show that il is not prompted
by hostility to tho offender. but by 4
sense ,of duty for tho protection. of
society and tho maintenance OF that
which is right.
II will DO well ii this sad occurrence
shall serve to quicken the scnse OF the
community, and specially OF those who
arc in positions whore they may be
expected 10 stand us guardians OF the
morals OF the community, TO consider we'll
the danger OF leaving undisturbcd the
scores OF places where not only public
officials are exposed to ruin, but where
young men OF loss experience and less
strength arc exposed to the most power
III: and hence the most dangerous OF all
temptations.
And does not tho safety Of COM
munity demand that every city official,
no matter how exalted his place, SHALL
for the sake OF example il for nothing
else, keep himself free from completely
with all such-places OF moral pollution,
and all such characters rs find rendez-
vous in such places or affiliate with
them, or else at once and forever ADAM
don his position, and give place to some
one who is worthy OF the trust?
With sincere sympathy ior the erring,
and continual solicitude for those who
are on every side exposed to the
seductive ways which lead to dcstruc-
ton, every word OF the above has been
written. CmAs. W. CUsuISG.
Dayton, O., Dec:.19, 1891.
P. San incident occurred here few
days since, which it is 4 little singular
that the Dayton Journal and some other
papers, | think, have made no aIluslon
to, not even so much as ono line. ,si'
The Rev. Mr.. Leyden, an evangelist, q
converted Catholic priest, who has been
lecturint to large audiences in Cleve-
land and other cities, and who comes
well endorsed, it is said, was announced
to give four lectures i'll Dayton, begin
ming last Sunday afternoon. The first
lecture was to be upon the "Roman
Catholics and tho Common Schools"
In the evening he was to give his rea-
sons Tor leaving the Roman Catholic
church. The lectures were to be at the
Grand Opera House.
When the people gathered Sunday
afternoon the opera house was closed.
1t is said that two Catholic priests went
to the manager Of the opera house and
offered 10 pay him moro money,than
was to be paid by. the lecturer, ON con-
dition that the house should be closed.
, The lecturer says that he went to the
Opera House OH Saturday afternoon
and found two Catholic priests talking
with Che manager. One OF them said
that he knew the lecturer personally,
and knew him to be i worthless charac.
ter. In reply, to 4 question from the
manager he rcailirned that he was GER
tain OF what he said rs he'knew the
man well. AT this juncture the lcctur-
or ventured to ask him what no knew
about the man, and if he was certain
that lie knew him. When the priest
affirmed again what he had said, the
lecturer replied, 81 never knew you,
and am the Rev. Mr.. Leyden."
The lectures have not yet come of.
But the singular thing is that the lead
ing papers have avoided ali allusion to
it.
Suppose the opposite had occurred,
would anything have been said? Is