The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-05

says that Public Sentiment on the Tenn
perance Question Needs Toning Up.
At the High street Congregational
church last evening, Rev. DIR. Fem
preached on the breach of trust involved
in the opening of the Worlds Fair on
Sundays. His text was very appropri-
ately: ''He that sweareth to his own hurt
and changeth not" The preacher began
by saying that our American Republic
was now agitated by most shameless
breach of faith. Hardly more than a
year ago there was great competition
among several great cities in this country
for the location of the great Fair. By the
use of much political trickery and chic
anery one city had secured the prize. 1t
had, furthermore, gone to the national
government and asked for five million
dollars. Two millions and half had
been granted on the express condition
that the Fair should not be opened on
Sundays. Now the country was agitated
by the reputation of this agreement by
the Fair managers. DR.. Fem said he re-
GREETED that the public press had gener-
ally taken a false position, and had not
helped at all on the main question which
is the breach of Faith.
Let us run over the points raised in
favor of this breach of faith:
First, there is the attempt to raise re-
IiuinI1o 10, Ia;
those who wish to close the Fair are a
puritanical sect, who wish to abridge the
rights and privileges of others. Such
considerations have no weight whatever.
The real question is, Did the directors
of the Fair agree that in consideration of
the two and half millions the Fair
should be kept closed on Sundays? OF
what use to parade before us day after
day editorials on Sunday, and the
methods of observing it by different
peoples?
The pretext that the breach of faith
was justifiable because the agreement
had been entered into by a corporation
which need not be bound as an individu-
al would be, was bubble unworthy the
dignity of being introduced into seri-
GUS argument.
Many persons declare that those who
asked for the money had no right to en-
ter into such an arrangement, consider
ing the heavy burdens which they were
to bear. But when was the time to
think of this? Surely not when the
money had been obtained on the prom
Use.
Again, it is urged by the fair m anagers
that they are under great temptation,
that they are urged on by a great multi
tude of laboring people, who must be
taken care of on Sunday. But really it
is question of cash, of coin, of money,
and not at all of benevolence. 1t is al
legged that Chicago is full of dives, of
low resorts, which want the fair closed
that they may make money. Yes. and
you Tor the same reason want it open. 1t
is money against money.
Some may feel that this fair is great
collection of the products of our civil
cation, an object lesson of great value.
Why, then, may it not be enioyed sun
day? This is merely the putting aside of
a scruple. 1t does mot touch at all the
solemn contract made with the govern
ment.
The last and browning argument for
the violation of faith is that we mean to
pay the money back at the end of the
Fair if there is money enough. This is
the last refuge Of the devil, after he has
been driven outof every other position.
But this position is absurd. Does any,
one think that they could take in two
and a half millions in 20 Sundays. And
if they could there would be no profit in
it,. but simply the working of the fair
employees extra time for nothing.
There is no excuse for this great
breach OF faith with the American peo-
pie.
The issue is matter of honor, mat
ter OF pledge, of broken and violated
faith. This breach of faith touches us
each personally, for through our repre-
sentatives in Congress we exacted the
pledge. s,4s.9
Where is reparation to be had? L
have asked leading judges and lawyers
with very little satisfaction. 1t has been
hoped that some high judge, who could
not be inundated by local pressur
might come to Chicago and grant an
injunction. But meanwhile the people
within get Jew judge to tell us that this
is not Christian government. We
among us and to hold Office. And when
we have made one of them a Judge we
get in return the decision that there is
nothing in our laws to prevent the viola
ton of the Christian Sunday.
Some have advocated a boycott. I
have never been in favor of boycotts.
| do not like Irish methods on American
soil. Neither should we condemn
Chicago too bitterly. As a city she is
not responsible for the action Of few
directors perhaps with the mob at their
back.
DR.. Fem spoke incidentally here of
the poor taste of requesting Nordica to
sing on Maine day, when her contract
would not admit of it.
Discussing the question of whether
there was any remedy for this breach of
contract, the preacher concluded that it
was doubtful if there was. Under our
Democratic form of government the
multitude were slow to redress such
wrongs, although free, enlightened and
Christian people would ultimately
respond to right principles. God rules
and will forever
Rev. G. ID. Lindsay on Temperance.
Yesterday afternoon the Rev. Geo. D.
Lingsay of the Congress street Methodist
church preached an eloquent sermon on
temperance to a large audience. The
pastor took for his text Prov. "a. II and