The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-20

popping OF nre crackers with an occa-
sional bomb of a giant cracker and the
whizz of a rocket. If the Fourth OF
July celebration is only half as warm
as that meeting 1t will be hot enough
to suit everybody. The members OF
the meeting divided the roast between
the clersymen and the saloon keep
ers.
At h opening Of the meeting A. F.
Bray expressed his satisfaction at the
large number of people present and re-
GREETED that the clergy Of the city had
not seen At to attend and to read no.
tees of the meeting from their pulpits.
He said that in accordance with the
instruction of h last meeting he sent
the following to each clergyman of the
city:
Reverend Sir: You are respectfully
requested by the executive committee
of the Fourth of July celebration to in
wife IN members of your congregation
to attend a mass meeting to be held
at the Auditorium at 2 p. m Sunday,
June 10. at which time the preliminary
arrangements for the demonstration
will be made.
The short time at our disposal
makes 1t necessary to hold the meeting
on Sunday afternoon, and in view of
the victories that have been achieved
on the Sabbath in the present war for
humanity's sake and the triumphs OF
right that are to be celebrated, we do
not believe that o will consider the
gathering a sacrilegious one"
Mr.. Bray said hat he also sent this
notice to the clergymen:
Reverend Sir: AS there are so many
Of our fellow citizens who rave given
m fhoir oil Har thAs~ .o,,x -
n the cause of humanity, IL il earn
estly requested that you attend the
meeting on Sunday afternoon, that by
your presence and voice you may as
sist in celebrating the glorious victories
which have been achieved"
Mr.. Bray said that in reply he re-
ceived the following:
"A. F. Bray, Chairman-Dear Sir:
Your communication containing an in
vitation to each of us to attend a mass
meeting at the Auditorium, Sunday,
June 10, at 2 p. m. in the interest of a
Fourth of July celebration in our city,
and a request to make known such
meeting to our respective congrega-
tons on Sunday morning next, has
been received. In reply we respectfully
state that we entirely disapprove of
such a meeting to be held on the Lords
day. and as we regard Sunday desecra-
ton one of the most degrading sins of
our day and state. we decline to attend
the said meeting ourselves, and deem it
improper to announce the act Of such
meeting from our pulpits.
We favor all efforts to Increase the
spirit of patriotism in this community
and land, but refuse to indorse any eff
forts which involve a trampling upon
the religious n patriotic convictions
of a large proportion of our people.
Respectfully yours. Sherman Hill, f.
b: Lounsberry. r. III. Shaeffer. G. H.
Freese, E. j. G~roeneveld."
In regard to this correspondence, Mr..
Bray then said:
II was raised in a religious country
and I was brought up with deep con-
victions as to my duty both to my God
and my country. 1 was taught thai it
creator and also truest love for my
country. ! do not regard this meeting
as n desecration of the Lords day.
i do not believe the day was ever made
that Is too good or which to arrange
for a celebration of Americas natal
day. The day on which Dewey fought
for our flag Is none too good for US to
meet on and arrange to celebrate the
day on which that nag was born, and
to honor the men who are o fighting
the battles of the country. We had no
thought to do any injury to the sacred
that there Is no duty more plain and
more sacred than to uphold, on every
day. the principles Of the glorious
cuntry in which we live. / am sure
that nothing will take place in this
which any Christian man can-
take part in. We are not support
ers of Mammon, but we are UNFOLDING
our God and the country in which we
II indorse the sentiments of our
chairman" said James II. Lynch. II
to be the father of that mo-
lion by which the clergy were invited.
while our distinguished pastors
may feel differently. / don't think we
have to apologize for our sentiments.
There are lots of US here who helped
buud their churches for them. We are
here as citizens representing the great
Est of nations. The city of Washington
Knows no Sunday at this time. I know
hat only a few weeks ago,o on the Sun
before our Butte soldiers marched
away, they, by invitation, attended
larious churches Of the city in a body.
They vent to the churches in their uni
'prms n carrying their arms. The
,hoirs sang national hymns and the
preached warlike
declaring the war a just one. Was that
No! Nor Is Il sacrileg-
Gus for us to meet and a to
celebrate the same principles. and do
lonor on the nations holiday to these
anne men who are fghting in this
b. Gallick said that Rabbi Eisenberg
lad announced the meeting from his
'ulpit and asked all to attend.
Prof. John F. Firch said he indorsed
he sentiments expressed by the pre-
speakers. II am just as heartily
n favor of a proper observance of the
<ord's day as any man," he said.
But IL seems to me that one of the
,~reatest objects of the day is to help
Vance the sentiments of patriotism
nd devotion to our land and country.
hope nothing will occur here to-day
rhich could hurt the conscience of any
( our pastors. Let us see that MOTH
ne occurs but what Ii proper to the
ay."
Widen Pinkham was the next speak,
r. He said: Notwithstanding the
esperate efforts Of the preachers to
ear down the flag. we will still keep
nat nag flying over their churches 30