New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-02
MR.. BEECHER ON POLITICS.

GOVERNOR coRNELL's DEFEAT ATTRIBUTED TO
| AyBRCE AND REvENGE-THE PLYMOUTH
PREACHER OPPOSED TO FEDERAL INrKRFEREScE
IN LOCAL AFFAIRS.
Pymo1th Church was crowded last night with an
audience that filled every available nook and corner
TO listen to political sermon by the pastor. the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. The preacher chose for
his text Psalms cxxii., 81 pray for the peace OF
Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee"
Patriotism and religion" said Mr.. Beecher
"were so entirely entwined around one an,
other in those early days that they
were inseparable The Jews were proud OF
their city, their Temple their ritual Ihey
loved their country" MI Beecher then dwelt at
some length upon the patriotism OF the jews
Passing from the patriotism of ancient times to that
of the present, he spoke of politics.
Politics" he began Is one of the noblest things
in itself that the mind contemplate IL Is care
for the commonwealth and in that view of 1t what
is nObler And yet there is no word which conveys
the idea of corruption more than that word poll
ties"
Mr.. Beecher then gave reasons why religion and
the pulpit should take hold Of politics. Ministers
of the Gospel" said he, did in earlier days teach
that men should be good citizens as well as good
Christians. Preaching politics has been part OF my
business for thirty-fve years-ever since assumed
the pastoral duties of this church-and when
can't preach politics it's time for me to find sub
stitute mean business lLaughter.l
THE machinery of party is necessity to the gov
ernmental management of democratic country
and there must be politcians-men who study the
administration of affairs. And If there are to be
such men there must be those among them whose
heads are longer than others. Politics Is no game
no farce, but a serious business, and men ought to
know how 70 carry themselves.
But who shall manage the machinery OF TINS
State, or of this country That gives rise to two
parties, affirmative and negative. Party ls not
recognized in the Constitution. But the Govern
ment of this country cannot be carried on without
party on one side and another party on the other
No more can a locomotive run without an engineer
than party without leaders"
Speaking of money in politics, Mr.. Beecher said:
Money in politics. talk about money in politics!
would look well talking against money IN politics!
| There Is not church in the country to my
! knowledge that Is run without money.
! [ have heard something about the Greenback party
and the Autobiography party-they are only
or phana-children not yet grown; there are only
! two real parties-the Republican and the Demo-
| What is the condition of the Democratic party
| to-day | don't know. lLaughter.l Neither DO
| they. Lau ghterl Both parties nave thclr plat
forms and TINS year they both alike. But plat
forms are mostly masks. Men laugh at them.
| There once III the Democratic platform plank
for solid money an one for free trade But the party
! doesn't dare advocate them to-day l never
! was "A DemOcrat-because Pm such democrat.
1ts conditions In the National Administration,
think il has been patriotic What Is the condition
OF its members III New-Iork state Wei, there
are two Of them. the lns and the outs; tue ms
axe called otawarts; the outs =; Wen, what-
ever you've mind 70 cali thcm. so the party is dl-
ylded. Now, in this divided condition, there are a
| good many good men on Doth sides And there Is q
good deal on both sides with which am sympathy.
| Is In tnei great convention that so recently met
! at Saratoga, why was Cornell set ASIDE I 1t has
| been a custom from time immemorla when a
Governor has administered the duties or MS ONCE
in honest, straightforward way, anu III s''t Is
factory way for the people TO show their apprODa-
tion of his efforts by rejecting HIM. " hy was
it omitted in his case Had be proved weak
man 7 No. Had he proved corruptible man
| No. There seem 10 have been two motIVeS-aV arlce
! aud revenge. And when Cornell went out, AYarIce
and Revenge kissed each other ,-,t. A.
After pralsing Governor Cornell highly, Mr.
Beecncr SAID " viii not dishonor HIM. May my
! RIGHT hand forget its cunning II | cast ny vote
ior a man nominated by ayarice and revenge"
judge Eolger. But lie refused, he continued. TO DO
deceived by party that was using Judge FolSer
siuply as a ca ps-paw. Loyalty to party, SAID ne,
! " is one of the virtues. but there are Hhlta-
lions TO party fealty. II halt-dOzen men III
| nv neIghOOrhood encrOach upon my rights, wiIi
resist the!n But let some foreign Toe come IN, and
Will saw 10 the Let lis lay aside our petty dlter-
| ences and make common cause against tue enemy.
In case OF National conflict between the two 5reat
! tho civil war and in the settlement after
! the war, tuen inc P0IsJ Hu"IAS
| should be land aside and solid
front should be presented to the enemy. The party
should be sustained, and the wrongs corrected atcr
! the heat OF battle was over But ia tlls case no
| great National principle Is involved. Ihe young
| men viii never have IA better opportunity ot admin
lstering reprOOl TO the party tnan aC present
! Judge Folger Is an upright man. For that reas0n
! tne Teproot wOald be administered 10 The corrupt
nomination, and not to the man himself once let
judge toger be sent home, aud never again III TINS
geueratIon ut least. would this thing be repeated
| Mr. Beecher deprecated IN tue most en-
| DIaric terms tue Administrations taxing
! a part in the management OF the
| local government. lie criticised tue idea OF the
! Pre.!dent OF the United States having as bosom
! friends men ike one of the Police Commissioners.
! In the course of the sermon tuerc We're frequent
! interruptions by applause AT the hrst attempt at
/ cease saving IL is Gods day and Gods house l
am only discussing tine morals and etIc7 OF poHIlcs'
! aud there's no occasion tor you 10 bon over
ILe effect OF TINS ropIlmaud was only Iclt IOr
short time, for there were later IN ms discourse
! several successful attempts ut enthusiastic ap-
| plause.