The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-13
The MethOdists and the Third
Term.


SALT LAKE Cry, December ll.-At a
meeting Of the Methodist ministers IN
this city on the 9th, resolutions were
adopted protesting against the action Of
Bishop Haven and the Methodist preach.
ers OF Boston in nominating President
Grant for the third term, and denouncing
the course pursued by President Grant as
regards this territory.
BISHOP SIMPSON INTERVIEWED.
PHILADELPHIA, December 1.-THE
lem newspaper publishes the following
account Of an interview with Bishop
Simpson:
RepOrter-I suppose, sir, you have al.
ready seen the report Of the meeting in
Boston (which appeared in the lem on
Wednesday,, at which Bishop Haven
nominated President Grant for third
termI
Bishop-Yes, 1 have seen that and also
what the New York Tribune has to say,
| have not yet received any communica.
tion from Bishop Haven upon the mat.
ter, but the reports which have been given
Of the meeting through the public press
differ somewhat from what have heard
from other sources.
REPoRTER--Is not any interference in
politics, at such meeting as this was
supposed to be, contrarytO the discipline
Of the Methodist Episcopal OhurchY
BIsHoP-Certainly and should depre.
cate any ecclesiastical body making ut
terances either for or against any candi-
date; that is to say, OfCOurse, as church.
Personally, every man has his opinion.
On any great moral question, such as an.
ti-slavery, temperance, and other kindred
subjects, | should expect them to express
their judgment; but on questions Of this
kind am decidedly opposed to
II. The Church has no desire 10 be
engaged in any party campaign, The
meeting referred TO was not, as under.
stand, church meeting. The anniversa.
ry Of the Sabbath schools was taking
place on the Sunday and Monday. On Mon
day morning the ministers always hold q
meeting, to which the visitors 10 the an.
niversGry were invited. II was at this
meeting that this thing took place. Bish.
op Haven certainly had no Intention Of
pledging the Church to any party or per.
son.
RepOrter-Is the President member
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as
has been represented
Bishop-He is not; he Is simply IN al.
tendant at one of our places Of worship.
The Methodist denomination neither ask
nor expect anything or him.
RepOrter--ln the event OF his being
nominated, do you think he would get the
support Of the Methodist clergy as body?
Bishop--Not as body, certainly. Even
among ministers there Is a difference In
politics, some being Republicans and
others being staunCh Democrats, the lat.
ter being rather, | should say, in the ma.
jOrity. The Church, however, would DO
much opposed to any Of lts members lead.
Ing ii into q political contest. lean quite
understand Bishop 1laven's enthusiasm.
lie has been an editor for number Of
years, and, as such, has been used to
speaking his mind freely, and at times
will let his old feelings as editor conflict
with those Of u minister. lie thoroughly
understands the condition Of the South
having lived there for number Of years.,
and Il Is this knowledge which has given
him the idea that any change in the gov.
ernment would be detrimental to the best
interests Of that part. He has lived there
80 long that he has the welfare Of the peo.
pie al heart; II Is this that makes him so
outspoken in his views.
RepOrter-From your standpoint, do
you think that the Methodists, as a people,
arc in favor Of third term?
Bishop-That | cannot say, never
made any inquiries leading TO that point.
All I can say is, that should President
Grant be reelected the people will have
done wisely.
WHAT OTHER PREACHERS SAY.
The reporter also visited the Rev. DR..
r. |. Kynett, Corresponding Secretary Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church Exten.
sion Society. the Rev, DR.. William Nc.
Coombs, the Rev. DR.. s. ". Thomas, and
other clergymen Of the Methodist Church,
all OF whom declared that they were per.
SOnally in favor Of third term for Grant.
The Rev. Mr.. Thomas said:
lam for Grant for another term, and II
he were to desire reelection, which |
don't think the case, would enter with my
whole soul energetically into the work Of
assisting him as far as lay In my power;
not because | think he has any leanings
toward Methodism, for, although he has
pew in one Of our churches in Washing.
ton and attends the services, and Is a
trustee, ! really do not think he belongs
to the Church or has any particular reli.
gion, but because think he has filled the
position Of President aeceptably to all
parties. From a visit 10 the South, which
| made some time since, | am led to be.
lieve that his denomination would be "a.
vorabIy received by the Southern people
negroes and whites, Republicans and
DemOcrAis.