The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-10
A Little Religious War.


note with considerable sorrow that nv
esteemed military friend, Colonel Shep-
ard, has finally precipitated upon himself
a religious boycott. When the colonel
leaped over the fence into the field of
journalism about four years ago he was
deeply impressed with the idea that what
was needed in New York city was a rip
roaring Republican organ and a daily re-
Hgious newspaper com bined. He has dill
igently adhered to this theory and in
furtherance of his religious propaganda he
fare upon the Catholic church. In
this he has been doubtless inspired
with the belief that by destroying
Catholicism he was slowly undermining
and sapping Tammany hall in politics.
He has finally attracted the attention of a
religious editor OF the Catholic persuasion,
Mr.. Michael Walsh, OF the SUNDAY Demo-
crat. Mr.. Walsh has determined to retail
ate upon the colonel for his so-called bigo-
try and intolerance and he has called upon
the people in his church to not only boy
colt the Mail and Express, but to pledge
themselves not to purchase goods from any
firm or house advertising therein. To this
document he had secured nearly 1900
signatures at last accounts and was Just
buckling down to his work. Of course.
the followers of Colonel Shepard-especi-
cially the Presbyterians-will not stand
by and see their champion overwhelmed,
and it looks now as though both editors
would fare very well out of the excitement
they have kicked up. To me it seems
very strange, indeed, that intelligent peo-
pie should be quarreling in this cold and
materialistic age about the best method to
get to heaven. A very eminent Profess
tant divine said to me recently,
touching this phase of religion,
that time was when he thought it
his duty to fight for sect and enforce dog
mas, but he had come to the conclusion
now that the only thing, in view of the
growth of skepticlsm, was to simply fight
unbelief. He preferred that man should
have any kind of faith rather than none
at all, and he considered every man on
earth his brother who accepted Christ and
His teaching in any form. at is not" he
said, - question of which church shall
dominate, but rather whether Christianity
shall spread or even hold its own against
the insidious advances of alleged science.
higher education and materialism."
Abbey and His Opera.
PATHS return to us in opera in this
Lenten season can hardly be called a great
musical event. The little song queen is
still regnant, but her best friends insist
that her voice is showing wear But lust
think of it She is nearly 80 years of age.
and for more than thirty-five years has
held undisputed sway in the realms of
song. Did ever a voice wear so well or
last so long? Twenty years is about as
long az any singer can hope to hold first
place. Patti will not sing with strong COM
pany now and the public rather insists that
she Contine herself to concert, where she
can select her range of music. But it
would be far better for her to retire TO her
- L - r
her art, crowned with the good will and
the best wishes of two generations of
music lovers, and pass into the inevitable
vocatlye with composure. The whole
world loves and admires Patti now.
How will it be if the leave-taking
is prolonged? VIII not regret
take the place of admiration
What not have real genuine Patti fare
well?' Speaking of operatic matters, |
am reminded that Abbey. Schoetfel and
Grau-the greatest amusement providers
of our age-are well satisfied with their
past season. The French Italian Opera
Company, with one exception the most
expensive ever seen on this continent has
: balance on the right side. Bernhardt
has made money, and likewise PATHS
Concert Company. The opera COM
pany sang 10 nearly $4,000 in
Boston in one week, and Patti, in
the same town, gathered in something
ike $4,000 in slngie week. Mr.. Abbey
Is the one manager who has the nerve TO
pay out vast sums of money for great at
fractions. He has the best the world af-
fords. and Americans who have the money
to pay tor the best meet him more than
half way. The fact that he and Maurice
Grau have taken the Metropolitan opera
house far three years indicates tina. opera
il growing in fayor-that is, the right kind
Of opera.
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