The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-19
AGAINST AN OPEN FAIR.
The sabbatarians Meet at tho
Fourth Street M. E. Church.
DENOUNCE THE PROPOSED SCHEME
oran open Fair on tho Sabbath day,
Now Being SO Actively championcd
by Labor aud other Organizations.
Talks by Secretary George and Rev.
Drs. Cunningham and Rlker.

allowed 70 keep lta Rates open on sun
days is a question that is now engaging
the attention of a great mass OF the
American people.
The labor element seems to be practi.
cally unanimous in favor Of Sunday
opening, and by means of petitions to
representatives and senators is endeay-
oring to have Congress repeal its action
OF the last session prohibiting Sabbath
opening Of the fair.
The sabbatarians including the
Christian people Of nearly every de-
nomination are alive to the danger Of
possible success that may attend the
efforts OF the elements favoring Sunday
opening, and are holding counter-meet-
ings and sending in to Congress coun-
ter-petitions.
The meeting called for yesterday af-
ternoon at the Fourth Street NJ. E
church by Rev. DR.. A. B. Riker, the
pastor Of the church, was fairly we'll NJ.
tended considering the lateness of tho
call, and included people OF nearly Ill
the Christian denominations in Wheel
ing.
The proceedings were opened with IN
eloquent prayer by Rev. DR.. ]. I. Nc.
Clure, Of the United Presbyterian
church.
Rev. DIR. Riker said he was delighted
10 see so many Sabbath loving people
gathered together on such short no
tice, and explained that this meeting
was only called on account Of the pres
ence in the city of-Secretary A. s.
George, OF tho American Sabbath
Union, who would address the meeting.
"Nothing is of moro importance" said
the doctor, than this battle for the
American Sabbath. 1t is not ques-
ton Of great reform, but OF holding
our own, Of upholding that institution
seen nowhere else,
THE AMERICAN SABBATH"
He then introduced Secretary George,
of tho Sabbath Union.
Mr.. George made an eloquent and
convincing appeal for the Observance OF
tho Sabbath at the Worlds Fair, which
he said 'is the foundation stone on
which our liberty rests, and it is impos-
sible for our free government to exist
without that foundation stone. The
American people arc not ready for de-
bauchery and such vices at the fair, as
was demonstrated last year when forty
million answered no. 1t isthe Conti-
mental spirit that has taken root among
cur people that is clamoring for the
II Gkn - ,t,nll ~ haR
forces hard to resist.
He said that the power OF labor was
for the opening of the fair, as we'll as
business men, seventh day adventistS,
seventh day Baptists and followers Of
men like Ingersoll, who would do any
thing to break down the American
Sabbath. He claimed that the saloons
OF Chicago are not as stated, opposed to
Sunday opening Of the fair. Why? "Be-
cause the classes Of people that would
patronize the Sunday railway excur-
sions were the ones who patronize the
saloons. Several leading members OF
the Catholic church were in favor Of an
open fair, and shows which way the
wind is blowing.
Opposed to these forces We find
what2 The great bulk Of the Christian
church.
"The forces arrayed against US in
this particular fight are also to be de-
pended on to fight the American Sab
bath whenever and wherever they have
the opportunity" Quoting from the
circular of the Sabbath Opening Asso'
citation, For the question OF Sabbath
opening is OF greater importance than
the fair ITSELF
"ohicago accepting Congress- con-
dition of
CLOSED DOORS ON SUNDAY
turns and asks that that condition be
revoked. 1t is but question with
them Of dollars and cents. Tho direc-
tors of the fair favor Sunday opening by
a vote Of 20 to 4, il Congress permits.
There is no forfeit attached and tho fail
may open without Congress permits
sion.
"The plea is mado that the poor
workingman' has no other opportunity
to see the fair. 1t is for the love OF the
half-dollars the poor workinGman will
put in the treasury that they want open
doors on the Sabbath"
Proceeding, the gentleman pointed
out that an open fair on Sunday would
keep the fifty or sixty thousand
workingmen employed there, at work
seven days in the week. But 1t il
claimed that IN open fair without the
machinery running is what is wanted
This would be cheat on the face, as
value would not be given to those who
patronized the fair ON Sunday.
The Sunday excursion would bring
into Chicago classes Of people similar tt
those who come down here from Pitts
burgh, 60 to tho parks, get full on
Wheeling beer, and have to be assisted
to their trains.
AS to what Christian people can dc
to move Congress, in answer to query
of DR.. Riker, he said that letters should
be written to tho. senators and ropre
sentatives protesting against any con
cessions looking toward IN open fair.
Roy. DR.. D. A. Cunningham. OF the
First Presbyterian church, followed
with a few eloquent words. He did
not believe Congress would 90 back on
its former act prohibiting Sunday open,
ing, but no couldn't tell. 1t is said
nine-tenths Of Chicago wants tho fall
open on Sabbath. 1t is not question
Of what Chicago wants. The fair is q
national affair, and we have q right to
say the American Sabbath shall DO rep
resented there.