The herald., 1893-09-23
A MEMORABLE SPECTACLE.

no period of the history of the world in
which religion, in come shape, has not
been leading factor. 1t is impossible
to 60 far enough back to find man in
any stage without some reference to an
influence which was at least above the
ordinary range OF human control. Even
when it assumed the phase OF fetishism
la in Africa-and where the object
worshipped was an onion, lizard or
snake the impulse that led to the
devotion was the conviction that there
was something about the object wor-
shipped that was independent of and
superior to man. The fetish worshippsr
was imbued with the sentiment, 81
know that you are ugly but believe
that you are great" besotted conyic-
ton that explains the infatuation OF
many Americans for many Of the poll
ticians of the United States. 1t cer-
tainly can be explained on no other
hypothesis.
But religion, in diversified shapes,
and without the possibility of re-
sisting its influence. is bound to
be in the future, as it has been
in the past, the dominating impulse in
the affairs of mankind. For ages the
dissensions and clashes amongst peo-
Piles of the came race and recognizing
the same religious inspiration, have
perplexed the we'll wishers of mankind.
Christian confronted Christian in battle
oAroo,fiao md mod of N
ordinary wars grew out of differences
that characterized even the religion Of
the meek and lowly Jesus, while logo
machies of interminable complexity
were engrafted upon narratives OF the
gospels that were as clear as the waters
of the pellucid brook. Christ, who de.
spised subtlety and indirection indie
scribably, has been made the founda-
ton stone for warring arguments iercer
than the thrust of the sword itself. 1t
is this circumstance that led to the dis
comfiture of number of missionaries
who had sought to convert the Indian
Chief Logan. This remarkably saga
cious aborigne listened to the argu-
ments OF his religious counselors in i'm
perturbable silence. After they were
through he removed his pipe from his
mouth and said: go back to the
place from whence you came, and when
you have agreed amongst yourselves
come and talk to me and I will listen to
you."
Certainly the religious congress in the
Columbian worlds fair will be the start
ing point of much charity and OF a
wider tolerance. 1t is perfectly cafe to
say that no such assemblage has ever
been known before on the face of the
globe. In this august meeting assem-
bled Protestant and Catholic, Moham
medan and Buddhist, the Patriarch OF
the Greek church and the Parsee OF In
dia. No color picture was ever more
perfect than this. The gathering was
picturesque and the blending OF doc
trines and all lines of religious sugges-
ton euch as never before was united in
one body since the world began. The
scarlet and purple of the Roman Catho-
lie hierarchy and the sober hnes of the
Protestant dignitaries were commingled
with the gorgeous and garish vestments
OF the representatives of the oriental
religions.
And over that vast assembly the spirit
OF charity lowered, as benignant prov
idence. If any of it's members were per-
meated with religious rancors they kept
them to themselves. A profound and
memorable hush was on the spirit Of
disputation and bigotry in that vast
gathering. For moment the Father
hood of God and Brotherhood of Man
were supreme. And it was in the very
week in which this impressive spectacle
of tolerance and love OF one's maker and
kind was presented to the world that
some miscreant named Cluff, who, for
it's sins, resides in Buffalo, undertook to
revive the old Know Nothing intolerance
against the Roman Catholic religion.
This fellow is not aware of the fact that
bigotry in this country has been con-
signed to the tomb OF the Capulets. He
seeks to revive and to breathe the spirit
of life into that image OF hate and
death which was buried forever in the
United States in the fifties.
NOW look upon this picture and upon
that" In the city of Chicago, in the
presence of hundreds OF thousands of
people. the gravest dignitaries of the
world, assembled in fraternal union.
cheerlully acclaimed the Brotherhood of
Mankind. In Buffalo, city also on the
shores of one of our great interior seas, q
wretched little bigot tries to again stir
up the spirit OF strife. There is OF course
good deal of consolation in knowing
that this miscreant's appeal for the re-
vival of religious haSreds will fall on un-
needing ears. The American people are
TOO strongly welded to the spirit of the
constitution of the United States to
allow the old Know Nothing virus to
ever again obtain foothold in this
country, so soemnly and impressively
dedicated to civil and religious liberty.
We have no doubt whatsoever but
that the Columbian worlds fair has
done more to insure the decedence of re-
lgious bigotry than all other influences
combined. It would seen almost i'm
possible to resurrect religious hate in
view OF this august and historical mani
4. 1. l..