The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-23
SUNDAY FOOTBALL.
DR.. Bishop Replies 10 the AstOrian's
Answer.

ASTORIA, Nov. 2.-FdilOr AstOrlan.
i was much pleased with the COM
municatlon from Mrs. Blmore, printed
In your Tuesdays edition, protesting
against Sunday football games, and ]
would ask permission 10 make Some
comments on your reply 10 H.
see no valid objection 10 the MOTTO
ing Sunday football game By a news
paper II II ~ chooses. You say the
Astorian does not believe In pOpullsm.
yet II chronicles Bryan's speeches and
movements" Very true. But ths A.
torlan shows its disbelief In pOpulism
by VIGOROUS editorial arguments
against thos, political doctrines II
docz moi paliate Bryan's offense by
saying that he might BE- doing some
thing worse. aS preaching anarchy or
rebellion for instance. But that h
lust the excuse the Astorian make, for
Sunday DISSERTATION.
Il In true that our young men could
fnd worse ways Of spending the Sab
bath But that II not the question,
Ought they not 20 be spending II in.
better ways; That In the question.
There In one Jther sophism In the As
torlan's reply that I would like to note.
- Journal that II supported By the
general public In ha.Tdiy IN a position
10 direct the pcrsonai conduct u IN
Ilylduala" COnisnding against courses
OF conduct Of masses In not directing
the personal conduct Of individuals =
In political fields the Astorian has pro-
tested most vigorously against the
silver democracy ana populism. but !
do not imagine that my democratic or
populist neignbors felt that IL was
directing their personal conduct" IL
was attempting 10 influence their per-
slnal conduct, but not 10 direct It.
The attitude Of The. Astorian implies
that the hostility to any decided move
meat that would tend 10 raise the NOR
ais OF the city is such that II cannot
afford pecuniarlly " take a positive
stand In tha, direction. II Is a sad
comment on the moral status Of the
city. and is. as Mrs Elmore implies,
al all-sui!icien, reason why Astoria
has not progressed as Il seems Il ought
10 have done
You say that the game last sunday
Was no, played under the auspices OF
the a. f. e. But It was played on their
grounds with their consent. Many Of
our leading business men are members
ot the club and also understand the
pastor of one OF the leading churches
iE the city.
sunday football games and similar
sports have not been uncommon In the
past. but have never heard that these
members have made any protest. II Is
just this fact, that the leading and
controlling element In the city seems 20
lack either the inclination or the moral
courage 10 make a proper stand against
the evils that are 50 prevalent here.
that makes the outlook for the city
SO dark.
agree with you that attacking sun
day football games alone will not help
matters sunday dessecration is only
nrg symptom of the deeper lying evil
: also are the evils OF gambling and
drinking. SO long as men prefer those
,hirgs TO better things. SO long will
they do them, and 50 long will Astoria
continue to be what It Is.
Not until Astorians as a whole real
ixe that sin Is weakness and righteous
ness is strength is there likely to be
any material change for the better in
the afJairs of our city.
]. $. BISHOP.
Any EFFORT that will tend TO raise
the moral tone of our city is certainly
commendable The Astorian, however
must respectfully decline to be put
on the defensive In this matter for 1t
has not been and is not a champion Of
g.,tl,,n