The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-14
TIE FRIDAY SUPERSTITION.

This s the nineteenth century, and the
very best end of it at that, but who has
grown entirely away from the influence OF
''signs" and other forms OF superstition
Not very many of US. At st. Louis the
question of the Importance of the conven-
ton completing its work before Friday has
entered the head of the superstitious.
The party would have ''bad luck. q few
believe, if any important work we're done
on hangman's day. Fremont was nomi-
mated Oh Friday, as were Blaine and Har-
rison when the latter was defeated by
Cleveland, and these incidents are pointed
to to show what mistake it would be to
defer the nomina until Friday. Other
wise strong, wise and capable men find
themselves under the influence of old
superstitions, and in every walk of life
they may be found AS for Mckinley, he
should avoid Tuesday as the day of the
opening of the convention, for Tuesday is
hangman's day in Ohio.
But no one, it may be said, is entirely
free from 1.-THE bonds of superstition, p"
whether it takes the form of dread of ''fatal
days" or a desire to peep into the future
through the eyes of a clairvoyant. From
the night that Saul importuned the Witch
of Endor to resurrect Samuel down
through the ages man has been Running
after Witches of Endor to ascertain what
he had best do and best not do. Any one
who is thought 10 have the power of know
ing that by the pricking of my thumbs
something wicked this way comes" has
patrons in all grades of society. 1t is q
mistake to suppose that only the poor and
illiterate are superstitious. Indeed, it is
what is called the better class who support
mediums" and the like; nor is it only the
ignorant who hesitate to undertake jour
ney or an enterprise on Friday.
Try as we may we cannot help being in
terested in the delving into the unknown
by those claiming a ''gift'' for pulling
aside the curtain which separates the seen
from the unseen. 1t would surprise the
public to know how many distinguished
professional and capable business men
consult astrologers, mediums and other
alleged agencies for opening the way into
the future that glimpses OF coming events
may be had. In fact there are more
augurs, soothsayers, mind-readers and
spiritual mediums in the world to-day
than ever before in the history of the
human family. and, moreover. officers of
the law become supersitious, if that is a
good word to use. Early last year a
wealthy gentleman was murdered in
Brooklyn, n. Y, in a very mysterious
way, and after the detectives had failed to
find clew, astrology, spiritualism and
kindred keys that are alleged to fit the
lock of the door which opens into the un-
seen were appealed to to solve the mys-
terry, and the public appeared to think
that was exactly the thing to do.
1t is not surprising after all that there
should be found plenty of men attending
the st. Louis convention who would turn
pale at the suggestion that nominations
be made on Friday. No doubt good
many would be thoroughly disheartened
if such thing should occur, and go into
the campaign with grave doubts as to the
success of the party. Such men are to be
pitied rather than blamed, for they were
born that way-could not help feeling SO
however hard they might try. But
whether the nomination is made on Fri
day or not, the nominee of the convention
will be the next President of the United
States.