The Irish standard., 1893-07-15
SATURDAY, JULY Is. 1898.
THE MONTREAL MOB.

SATURDAY, JULY Is. 1923.
THE MONTREAL MOB.
The twelfth annual convention of the
Christian Endeavor society, composed of
Protestant young people of both sexes,
was held last week in the Catholic city
of Montreal The $4,000 delegates in at
tendance were cordially welcomed and
Hospitality entertained by the Catholic
clergy and lalty. Mayor Desjardin well
coined them in the following words:
"While T am Roman Catholic myself,
and while Montreal is Roman Catholic
city--that is, the greater portion of her
citizens profess that faith-none will ex-
tend heartier welcome than we will. y
He evoked storm of applause when he
added, lit is not battle Of creeds now
adays, but battle between belief and
unbelief." So far everything was pleas
ant and the visitors were delighted with
their reception. But storm was brew
ing and soon broke out in cyolonic fury.
A reverend member of the convention,
hailing from far-off India, and recent
convert from Brahminism to Protestant-
ism, delivered an ill.timed address in
which he compared the Roman Catholic
religion to the idolatries of the East.
The convention did not disclaim the ut
terances Of this neophyle to Christianity,
and the Catholic people of the city held
the Christian Endeavorers responsible for
his insulting remarks. A large mob of
French quarrymen and hoodlums col.
lectea to make an attack on the tent in
which the meeting was being held, but
the city authorities interposed and sue
ceeded in restoring order. The reputa~
tion of the city was at stake and every re-
spectacle citizen rendered aid in pro-
tecting the visitors from the threatened
attack.
The following day there was fuel
added to the fame by a delegate who
cried out in the most frequented part Of
the city that the lMotber of Christ was
an abandoned woman. This incident
was discussed in the convention next
morning, and President CLARK, the
founder Of the Christian Endeavor So
cietv, said:
Il have learned only recently that
there was public meeting held outside
Of the tent ON the Champ de Mars, for
which this convention is no way respon-
sible, where some statements were made
and some sentiments uttered for which
this convention is not responsible. This
should fully and plainly be understood
by ali. It should also be understood
that anything said here is the expression
simply of the individual who makes ut
terance to you.
"This is not legislative or delibera-
tive body, and does not necessarily repre-
s,nt the sentiments of this convention.
+ speak for you all when I say that there
has been no intention or desire on the
part Of this convention to insult any one,
to hurt any of their religious feelings or
to decry their creed. Is that not your
sentiment? If SO, show it by rising
The whole audience rose and cheered.
This action OF the convention soothed
the feelings of the mob to some extent,
but police vigilance was not relaxed un-
til the end of the session, with the happy
result that none Of the delegates we're
injured by the rowdy element which is
always ready to fight for religion or any
thing else. The day is gone for ever
when protesting Christians can pelt each
other with stones OF epithets without in
curing the condemnation OF every sem
sible man. Such an organization as the
Christian Endeavor is doing . good work
tor humanity, and though q few bigots
may creep into the society, It's objects
and aims are commend ble IL the high
est degree. s1
G. w. SMALLEY,
3 Tie most yirulent and unscrupulous
ensnay 81 Irish nationality n Great Bri-
tain ,dayIS - B not Lord Salisbury, Al
thur - Joeeph y berlain.