The Forrest City times., 1893-07-14
MOMENTS OF PERIL.

NVSEVGt - VT
 The Closing Session of the Christian En- deavor Convention In Montreal Threat
 ened by a Mob of Fifteen Thousand French Canadian catholics, the Result or IIl-Timed Remarks-The Men or the Militia Rally for the Protection Of the Endeavorers and No Violence was Done'
 MONTREAL, Can, July 1o.-The clos 1 ing scenes of the Christian Endeavor convention on the inside of the Drill hall last night were characterized by much warmth and handshaking, kiss ing among the women delegates who had formed friendships in the city and the singing of God Be With You Till We Meet Again" It was very inn pressive Outside, the scenes were equally impressive in another way. Thousands of people were congregated on the Champc de Mars and Craig street, in front of the building and east and west The elements of riot were there in full force. The talk about the Californian's ill-timed re- marks had spread all over Montreal, and in the crowd were many who were bound to avenge the insult which they ! consider more than personal, for French-Ca nadian Roman Catholic re- ligion comes in before anything. Then there were thousands assem bled who had resolved to protect the Christian Endeavorers when they left the hall. The antagonistic elements in the crowd kept at respectable distance from each other awaiting the opening of the doors at the close.
 Among the Protestant crowd were nearly thousand militiamen in plain clothes and the opposing crowd con- sisted of the lower classes of French Canadians. principally quarrymen from | Corte St. Luc, or others of like stamp. Occasionally the volunteers and their | adherents fell into line and marched around the block enclosing the Champ de Mars, and the opposing crowd did likewise, marching around the block to the west of Champ de Mars. They eyed each other jealously and each ] moment the bitter feeling increased, in evidence of which partisan tunes were shouted by thousands of lusty voices. and pandemonium reigned.
 i This was the situ ation when the doors of the hall were thrown open. Everybody expected riot, the dele gates emerged from the hall and turned to the west end. Instantly the volunteers formed cordon at the edge of the sidewalk, and white handker. chiefs were produced and held around their necks- This was the distin- 1 gushing badge, no one without it could approach the Endeavor- CTS from the opposite side of the street, and slowly and with 1 out any manifestatio of alarm the delegates proceeded. Then came a burst of song. At the Cross" rolled out upon the air, and the result was something wonderful. Almost perfect silence fell upon the crowd. The Frenchmen on the Champ de Mars stood silently gazing at the proces. sion of Endeavorers, which marched to the time of the piece of music they were singing All emerged and passed out of the dangerous locality in safety. Then the militiamen, who had moved slowly after the crowd, turned right about face and | UndrCllcU UOWn east 10 q snort distance
 below the Drill hall singing Onward, Christian Soldiers, Marching as to
 War" They were greeted with some jeers from the crowd that angrily
 watched them. but no blows were ex. changed. As they again turned and marched west the multitude melted away, the blockade of cabs and street cars passed on and closed the scene, and the Christian Endeavor convention was at a peaceable end.
 It was at one time intended to dis. miss the Drill hall meeting by the rear door, but President Clark. on assur. ance from the military that they would amply protect all the delegates, caused
 the front doors to be used. Before 1 pronouncing the benediction he told the assemblage that the soldiers would
 protect them and that no violence need be feared at the hands of the mob, which mum bered 15. GOO