The New York herald., 1871-11-06
ST. JOsEPa,S CHURCH.

Sermon by Father McCI&Rcy on tho Duty
ef Workinamen at the Election.
The church was crowded as usual at the half past
ten O'Clock mass. The Rev. James McOiancy, during
the services, addressed the following counsel to his
nock IN view OF their important duties at the com.
Ing election. He said:--
To-day address you a. the sovereign people, as
the rulers Of the land, and ss the morning OF tho
day OF election approaches. l ask you what you
will do on that days When you appoint your
officials, when you elect yonr agents TO once, what
do you surrender into their handss Nothing less
than your lives. your liberties and your property.
dren. You conhde to them the framing
oil the laws by which you viii be
governed in the pure administration OF justice.
You entrust into their hands nothing less
than the prosperity OF this great State. and the
wealth Of four millions OF people. ask you arc you
alive to what you are doings Do think OF the i'm
portance OF the ACT which you are performing, and
show 1t BY care in the selection OF mena Do show
that you appoint none but good mon linen OF repu-
tation and OF education. "A tailor, ordinary one
muss serve long apprenticeship to hls business;
80 must o carpenter or blacksm the druggist
must submit 70 a critical examination; lawyer or
clergyman who would Mt himself for his position
must give up the best years of mis- life to study and
labor. But 1t seems our legislators to whom we
trust SO much, need nothing Of the sort. Halt OF
those whom you have sent time and again. make
some honorable exceptlons-to represent You In
the United stares. or that or the state or
New York, and probably are not aware or its
the meanesr poorest would take them as agents.
and with all their bOldnesS. they themselves would
they have reeeved By stens 70 me
speeches oi the session, 70 Apply even ior clerk
4 anNr
wealth o. the Empire STATE
lnslst . little on education, and would say to
you, lt t5 not merely as qualification for ONCE but
1t Is likewise guarantee Tor honesty. Every edG
Gated man has a large circle OF friends VINO are
and honesty. Snch man. dare say, may be cor
rupted. but 1t Will cost . great deal TO do
bought cheaBiy. But IL q single Individual should
be bought. you may depend upon it tnat Q Legisla.
saouid be satisfied and all would bs satisfied II
you wcuid send 10 the Legislature respectable
mechan;cs-men who. BY their former good connuct
duty to their fellow men, have won Tor themselves
the respect of their own class. You might well
honesty. Tnoy would be men OF ordinary intcili-
gcnce, at least and knowing the wants OF their
soclety-wouid be abe to leGisate for their IN
terests. But instead OF doing tins you send men
nor ever wili-the veriest blsckglards, debancnees
and gamblers; the very Barrabases Of nation you
This il one OF The scenes that election day
presents man struts along the walk who Is ap-
pointed TO work the ward See him now as be ap-
chamc For Gods sake turn your eyes away, Tor
drink n p0 rho ' reverend Tatner T SAID Id that The
officials is the cause OF the poverty Of the people.
Let me ask YOU whence comes the money by which
corrupt men are able TO pay Tor the music and para
phernalia OF torchlignt proeessiolss The poor man
pays. NO. he says, don't pay for these. bus my
rich and misery neighcor does.' You forget you
pay rent ior the miserable home IN wnlcn you
y.,,N hulf nf
why Is thats Look TO the taxess That IL o small
lem. You are Obliged to buy the necessarlcs OF
lie, and the taxes enhance the rates OF these. The
his house. store and stables, and his customers
must bear the increased percentage arising from
tins addition The retail dealer is likely to do the
same tnat when the very neccsserIes OF life are
bought by the poor man. ne Is paying part OF the
taxes on hundred houses, although he does not
own inch Of3feal estate. Nineteen-tWentieth5 OF
the expenses OF the government are paid by poor
Wnat should be our conclusion after these
thOugnts9 II Il this: You should be careful In the
Not only on the day OF election should you be care.
fu but You should give them to understand when
selecting them as your employees and agents that
you will DISMISS them. Their continuation In office
depends upon their fathunes5.
Depend upon II every workingman spends half Of
his earnings wasa ne & ne sends !, Correpd @ man 70 the
stead Of day Tor electl0neering purposes II
he Was sure Of putting IN capable men.
" is your duty TO sec to thsa duty you owe to your
families and the sta.e. Imagine TO yourself our
halls Of legislation: where It IS now deemed dts
grace for an honest man To sic will become some
thing quite di6erent We would send thero those
who have grown wise and old Ia our mi lsr-ih0se
who by their quiet lives OF industry and pr0bity,
matter what their rank have won the confidence
OF their fellow citizens. We viii send them there.
Tney are our n0ples-a mobility without uAes--the
nobility Of COinQ rood.