The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1895-10-10
MORALS OF THE SOUTH.


this condition is found too often and
in too many places, and very fire
quently fiads expression in wanton
desecration or very slack observance
OF the Sabbath.
A case in point is the situation in |
New York City, where great temp
est has been raised because of the |
excise law, which forbids the open
ing of whiskey and beer saloons on
Sunday. In ntrast with this, we
find the authorities of the Atlanta
Exposition deciding very promptly,
and by an overwhelming vote, that
the gates of that great exhibition
shall be closed on Sunday.
1t gives us pleasure to note that
the general trend of opinion in the
South is less towards the Dissertation
of the Sabbath than in any other
section of the country and we are
glad, too, that the moral sentiment
of our section is being favorabiy
commented upon by Northern
journals, and we indulge the hope
that the example of the South will
have d salutary effect upon the
whole country, now that outside
papers are bringing existing facts to
the attention Of their readers. We
say this in no Pharisaical spirit and
we recognize that there is abundant
room for Improvement along these
lines in the South, but taking orr
condition from a moral standpoint,
as seen by others, we express the
wish that Others may emulate the
| good that is in US and that it may
be our constant effort to prove more
worthy exemplars along all lines
that tend to the moral, intellectual
and material upbuilding of human
ity
The following commentator Of
the South appeared in a recent issue
of the Philadelphia Evenin Tele-
gram:
cone thing may frankly and truth
fully be said. In no part of this
country today is the old-fashioned
American Sunday-a day of secession
from secular labor, respectful quiet,
: n worship for all who are SO in
clined-so generally observed as in
the South. This fact is noted with
extreme qualification by Northern
visitors, already unhappily familiar
with current practices throughout
this section, and the West particular
. ~. There is to be no unseemly and
costly contest over opening the
Atlanta Exposition on the first day
of the week. There was IL feeble
effort in this direction, but it has
been speedily disposed of, and in a
characteristic way, by the directory,
which unanimously voted to post
pone all consideration of the subject
This course is taken in Difference to
local public sentin ent and in accord
. ance with fundamental American
principles. Atlanta is very busy
city six days in the week. 1t is
forging ahead in every element OF
: material prosperity; but on Satur
, day night it lays aside the tools OF
labor and refrains from unnecessary
, trespass upon the rights of those
who toll. In This respect the New
South sets healthful and inspiring
example to the reckless cities of the
Vest, which have almost abolished
the American Sunday"
Commenting upon the above the
Washington Post speaks the follow
ing words of high praise for our
people and section:
'Fbis is the sober truth. 1t has
!. come to pass that if one would find
a thoroughly representative Ameri-
: can COMMUNICATIVE our language
Is spoken by all, where our customs
E are faithfully perpetuated, and where
a wholesome and pronounced
national sentiment lies at the bot
: tom of mems thoughts and inspires
all their purposes and actions-one
must go South. There he will en-.
counter a people who look. speak,
!, think, and feel like the men who
wrested this country first from the
untutored savages and afterward
, from the tyranny of princes. There
stands the stronghold OF conserva.
tism, the happy medium between
tyranny and anarchy, the stout,
unyieldiDg spirit of enlightened Re-
publicanism.
There was no noise of wrangling
over Sabbath Observance at the
Atlanta Exposition because the men
OF tue South do not seriously dis
agree III on such issues. Public SEN
timent in that part of the country
respects. honors, and upholds the
Eday of rest" There is no ostenta-
ton of piety, no canting protesta-
| ton of sup rior holiness. The peo-
pie simply follow in the footsteps OF
their fathers and recognize the
Sabbath as thing of course. They
are hustllng, earnest, brave hearted
folks in Atlanta. They believe in
progress and prosperity. But they
give one day to decent soberness-
concede to each one at least the
opportunity of worship-and stand
unanimously for the day religion
and morality haveset apart. Along
with energy, liberality, intelligence,
courage, and patriotism. they put
the American Sabbath on their
programme, and there it stands"
GENEROUS IN JUDGING.
New York Herald