Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-02
WIZ. RICKHARDSON,s SENSATIONAL
SERMON.
What He Said About the Star Route
Cases.


Rev. C. Herbert Richardson supplies to THE
STAR the following report of his sermon Thanks
giving Day covering the portion in relation to
the star route defendants omitted in the reports
OF the morning papers.
NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, DANGERS AND
SAFEGUARDS"
The congregations OF Metropolitan. McKen-
dree and Waugh II. E. churches united in
union Thanksgiving service at the former
church. Rev. C. Herbert Richardson, of McKen-
dree church, preached from the words, 1.-THE
Lord Reigneth; Let the Earth Rejoice" Psalms,
xcvii, 1.
of the day he read the Presidents proclama-
ton. which. he said. reminded US of God as au-
thor OF all our blessings; OF that Providence
Which satisfeth the desire of all living things.
and of the reign of God over the affairs of men.
Nations. as truly IS individuals. possessed char
acters. by virtue of which they were accOunta-
BILE to God. The dangers to our country arise,
hrst, from extreme craftsmanship" Parties are
right, because necessary TO existence of conSti-
tutiOnal government, and organizations neces-
sary to parties, but parties are means, not ends.
ana when they fail to secure good government
they should be laid aside. We condemn the
men who seek to disrupt party organizations
under the cry of "bOsssm" that they may be in-
Stdiltu DIS bOSStS themselves. we condemn
likewise the men who, as 'bOSses." use parties.
not for the securing of good government. but
purely Tor personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. One of
the greatest evils of parties is that men will do
In the name of party what if done on their per-
sonal account would put them in a felon's cell.
TIE RECENT ELECTIONS SHOW:
First-A greater independence of party ties; a
closer scrutiny of candidates and the means by
which they are selected Second-They are q
rebuke of the indecent language and conduct
which characterized in several instances the
House Of Representatives at the last session.
and Of an eXtrayagant river and harbor BILL of
which President Arthur Justly said: The worse
it was, the more popular it became" and of
session OF Congress which, though long. did
little 10 relieve the country of the burdens of
taxation. Thrd-they are condemnation of
the compulsory assessment of the salaries of en-
plOyeS OF the government FOurth-they show
that temperance advocates are often most I'M
skiilful advocates of that great cause.
THE SECOND DANGER
OF which we shall speak concerns the admins
tration Ofjustice. Here, until late, the liquor
Interest has trampied under foot the license law
of this District while gambling hells and brothes
are rarely disturbed. The star route case for
over year has engaged the attention of the
country. the result of which was to render a YER
diet promptly set aside by the cOart. Assuming
failure OF justice nearly the entire press of the
country arrayed itself en- either side both as adj
yOcate5 and judges. and trial by newspaper was
substituted for trial by Jury Grand and petit
jUries' composed of men beIievedto bereputable
and honest until their verdict was announced.
nave been must unSparin@ly assailed because de-
Ginning to pronounce verdict ofguilty. Are iures
organized TO indict and convict? Are those great
Shields which our foreiathers wrung from King
John at RunGymede. as protection of the pr-
yate citizen against the great power Of state. to
be attacked because men do not see their way
clear to indict or convict: Is the reported in
terylew between the Attorney General and the
marshal of this district in the press of to-day
correct? Can it be possible that the latter. in
yited to supposed private and confidential
interview with the former. charged and pre-
pared to question him. aud to whom he spoke
in the the confidence and honor which public
officers should hold one to another, finds now,
at the lapse of months. that stenOgrapher was
secreted to take down the conversation? Such
conduct is so revolving to the public conscience,
so utterly devoid of all honor and decenCy. that
we have no words to express our contempt and
adherence. The man who would do such
things is filter occupant OF felOns cell than
to preside over a department of justice.
In passing from this topic we merely say hon
est men who hold public offices when accused of
lack of integrity should be both able and will
ing to explain their actions. BY the law of the
land defendants are now permitted to testify In
their own behalf and if the persons indicted in
these cases fail to avail themselves of privi-
lege granted for their protection in such cases
the public will justly conclude that they are
guilty.
The third evil comes from the press. and this
because becoming more and more partisan, more
and more personal organs. and more and more
given TO publish crimes and scandals, thus COR
rupting the youth of both sexes.
WHAT ARE OUR SAFEGUARDS?
First-General participation of citizens. finan-
cially and actively, in the management Of
parties. If this be done no occasion will be af-
forded for the special taxation OF holders.
The fact is, both in church and state the few
are required to do the work of the many, and
the many are willing TO have it SO. Second
Faithful administration of justice. Without as
Stunning to pass on the guilt or innocence of the
persons recently removed by the President. and
conceding his entire sincerity in the matter let
him in this department prove himself a ''Stal-
warJ of the stalwarts' by removing every one,
high Or low. friend or foe, republican or demo-
crat. who has not clean hands and a pure heart.
Third-After all. Gods law is our only safe
guard. righteousness eXalteth a nation, but
sin is a reproach to any people," The word of
God read and preached clearly and boldly alone
can purify and guide the conscience. The pull
pit. the Sabbath day. the Sunday school. mar
shelled and directed by the Holy Ghost. will
subdue and transform tho nations of the earth
and usher in the-reign of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. whose kingdom shall be an ever
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