I wonder which version of this sentence I should use?

These quiet Connecticut Sabbaths could prove surprisingly peaceful and attractive: European visitors who were accustomed to a more social holiday were struck by its democratic nature – rich and poor alike stopped working and joined together – and by its moral influence.

These quiet Connecticut Sabbaths could prove surprisingly peaceful and attractive; European visitors who were accustomed to a more social holiday were struck by its democratic nature – rich and poor alike stopped working and joined together – and by its moral influence.