The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-08-04
"DO NOT SOUND A TRUMPET THAT
We MAY BE SEEN OF MEN"

"DO NOT SOUND A TRUMPET THAT
We MAY BE SEEN OF MEN"
The st. Louis Christian Adrocate,
edited by that admirable thinker,
Rev. ID. r. McAnally, is not slow to
discuss the moral phase of political
subjects. Nothing, it appears, has
given rise TO more political dema-
gOgery and excuses, than this 10 be
regretted wounding of President
Garfield. Some propose to treat the
criminal with punishment beyond
what the law directs it shall be
others want to give the presidents
wife, because of his mishap, $780,
900; and Gov. Foster comes forward
as Il designing politician, just at a
time when, according to the present
political dispensatiOn, it is consider
ed anything but "loyal" to refuse,
and induces all governors, excepting
Gov. Roberts, to join their people
in thanksgiving and prayer, because
Godhas INTERVIEWED and saved the life
of man that was MORALLY wounded.
The Christian AdUOcdte discusses all
these novel propositions, and it
dwells particularly on the Foster
scheme, in a style which must carry
conviction to the hearts of a great
many church people, that Governor
Roberts has saved them from most
absurd position. Touching this
proposed thanksgiving and prayer,
the AdcOcdte says:
''For similar reasons we cannot
look with favor on the proposition
of Governors Foster and Crittenden
in regard to the day ofpublic thanks
giving of which they speak. There
are reasons to fear there may be as
much of policy as of piety in the
matter. No one who knows him,
will accuse the present writer of dis
favoring gratitude, thanksgiving
and praise TO Almighty God for His
mercies; but such special calls as
that now under notice are calculated
to impress the minds of the less
thinking part of the community
with the idea that these duties are
TO be performed only OH special oc-
casiOns, that men should fast and
pray only when 'in pinch and
give thanks only when some extra
ordinary occurrence takes place and
the religious element of our nature
to be called into action spasmo ideally
and by extraordinary events. How
ever deeply the American people
would regret the death of the
president, and few would re.
greet it more deeply than the
present writer, and however
greatly they will rejoice if he recov-
er, better leave them to pray and re-
joice as they list and let it be be-
tween themselves and their Maker
without such demonstrations as
have been proposed. A late num-
Der of the missouri Republican,"
contained letter signed "Web. NJ.
Ruby" of Macon City, Mo-, which,
though we might not endorse it in
every particular, contained much
with fhe following paragraph.
IF day is to be observed let it
be to ask Gods blessing upon our
efforts, honestly to be made, to place
virtue above vice, and get for our
selves just and honest administra-
ton of public affairs. Let it be that
the time may come when men can be |
elected to Office without promising
fat places to all their supporters
for day when presidential candi-
dates will not be forced to accept |
defeat or sell the federal patronage |
of states to Conkling or anybody |
else in order to get their support. |
We can with proprietY pray for |
these things for we much need them,
but the order of thanks, as sug-
gested, rests upon too many doubt
full assumptions
''There is pertinence and force in |
this, and we shall all do we'll to con-
slder it carefully.
"The present writer yields TO no
man in respect for constituted au-
thority, nor in regard to the duty of
obedience to that authority; at the
same time his regard for the solem-
mites and sanctities of our holy re-
ligion in all its exercises, is such as
to forbid its being put in requisition
to give eclat to men or favor the in
terest of partisanism. lie respects
the Office of president as highly as
does any other man, sympathizes as
deeply and truly with the present
and his family in their
sore affiiction-will pray for them as
sincerely as he can, would regard
mis- death as q public calamity and
will as heartily rejoice in recovery
as will any other but wants no
public pomp, parade, show or dis
play about it. Men can be and will
De as thankful and their thanksgiv-
ngs will be as acceptable when of
erred in their closets and in their
'egular cOnvocatiOns, as on any
special occasion, such as has been
proposed. do not sound a trumpet