Year: 1878

FrRsT ANNIvERsARY YEsTERDAY-A


LARGE ATTRNDANCR-AF FIRE


BRAND.


The Liberal League met yesterday
morning, at their room in the Capelle
Building, and it being 1.-The occasion of
their first Anniversary, the attendance
was large. Previous TO the regular ex-
ercises OF the day, on motion of Mr..
Gardner, the Committee on music was
instructed to ascertain the amount that
1t would cost to rent piano for the use
OF the League. Mr.. Clavey the Presi-
dent, then stated that he had been select
ed by the Committee on Lectures 10 de-
liver the anniversary address. He began
by saying that some twenty-five years
ago he claimed to be christian, not of
che orthodox school but OF the heterodox.
He then gave an account of his connec-
tions with liberal movements in this city
before, and during his connection with
one which Was stated under the leader
ship of Daniel HALEY, which met at
Sixth and Shipley streets, he fought the
infidels with all his might. He soon
began to find out that in order to cope
with them he would have to read and
stady more, and he soon found that the
more he read the less he knew. In the
course of time the association, gave way,
and 10 years rolled by, during which
time there was no place where person
could go and give utterance TO his
thoughts until about sixty years ago
another association was started and met
in hall on West Second street, but the
expenses being too great they soonabroks
up.


The speaker then said that for 4 or 3
years he had been on the anxious bench
but finally after carefully studying the
matter he fell on the side Of free thought,
and of his mind remained the same he
expected to stay there.


He then gave history of the present
League, saying that one year ago four
men banded themselves to gether for the
purpose of starting Liberal League,
and the first matter that came up was
where to get the necessary finds. In a
short time number vf persons In the
western part of the city subscribed $5
each and like sums were subscribed in
the eastern part. The Sons of Temper
ance room in the McClary building was
then secured at rental Of $15 per quar-
ter, a call issued through the papers and
just one year ago the first meeting was
held with an attendance OF about 40 per-
sons which number has gradually increa-
sed until the attendance now amounts to
over hundred. The League had been
self sustaining and the money that was
subscribed was never called for. Mr..
Olavey, then spoke at some length Of the
opposition that the League has met with
anathemas had been hurled at the men,


bers from the pulpit in which 1t was said
that II the officers of the law had done
their duties the members would be In
New Castle Jail. Even God Almighty
has been called upon to hurl them into
hell, but God Almighty has turned O
deaf ear TO these pleadihgs.


Notwithf landing all the opposition
manifested toward the League IL still


has plenty Of friends. There are men
on the streets who say, "God speed the
Liberal League" men who are pillars
of the orthodox faith, have met the
speaker, and said to him. "Olavey
know you are right but my bread and


butter is at stake" Oil you bread and
butter men, IL you dared TO stand up


and assert your rights, you would
command respect in this community.


Mr.. Clavey, then referred to the com


nliitee of learned men who are in Lon
don, engaged in the work Of revising
the Bible, the infallible Bible. He


thought by this very action that the
opinions Of people we're rapidly chang
ing upon the question of religion. In
conclusion he wishes the League sue
cess in its undertaking.


He was followed by Samuel P. Wilk-
inson, and William A. Murphy, in
short addresses, Mr.. Davis introduced
the following resolutions, which seem
ed to be perfect fire brand in the
camp:


Whereas, The Young Mems Chris
tian Association, have enforced the
law closing the tobacco and cigar
stores on this Sabbath day, and there
by given some evidence of their use
fulness; therefore be it


Resoiued, that this Liberal League
congratulate the Young Mems Chris.


tian Association on this step of pro.
gress; and


Resolued that we shall expect each


and every member of the association tC


abstain from the use of tobacco in any


form so as to avoid being a foul stencil
in the nostrils of decency.


After short and at sometimes excit'
ing remarks the resolutions were vot-
ed down.