The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-03
MORALS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Paper Read by Mrs. A. II. Carrier Before the
ladies of the Suffrage Society

noon in their room at Plymouth Church, Mrs.
Zereda Wallace in the absence of the president,
Mrs Laura Kregelo, being called to the chair.
Reports of committee work were made, after
which Mrs. A. Fl. Carrier, who had been chosen
for the occasion, read an address. entitled ere
view of the Past Political Campaign"
She took it as an encouraging feature that in
the recent campaign the Nation had been so pro
foundly stirred in spite of the fact that there
seemed to be no great party issues, and that
neither set of candidates met with entire APP
prevail in their party. Never before, except in
the war, had there been such universal intelli
gent interest. High and low, rich and poor,
have met together; not only men, but, all over
the country, women have heen discussing politi-
cal questions as If it were the most natural
thing for them to do. Their minds have walked
up to find new interests in their relations to
society and to the State. 1t was not expected,
but, as it turned out, the campaign conferred in
moral principles Moral questions are the forces
that have so stirred the country, and this chiefly
was what brought the women to the front. How
much personal morality has to do with presiden-
tial elections has been the question considered
as never before. This campaign has been de-
nounced and lamented over because so much
that is bad and unwholesome in private life has
been revealed Wickedness is bad wherever it
is and if it has existence it is better perhaps to
let it wriggle in the agouizing exposure of open
sunshine, where it may finally gasp and die
than to bank it around in its own hidden den of
darkness where it will only fatten and fatten
and roll up in the satisfied security that its own
vileness makes for itself
The speaker thought better tone of senti-
ment is indicated among the people when vice
and wrong doing not permitted to hide
themselves; sin must be given the terror of dis
closure and public pillory. She felt that in this
widely expressed demand for rectitude and virtue
in the presidential candidate there is an implied
expression of a moral sense more elevated
and eXacting than ever before. We declare for
incorruptible honesty and we do also want an
uncorrupted moral record. The most damaging
charges made against the Republican candidate
were for official dishonesty; beyond this no
charge in this matter has attempted to CO. and
one could put it stronger or more skillfully
than Carl Schurz has done. The crowning APP
peal in his address is made for the moral effect
on the young men. Let every word he has said
stand: we do not want our young men to feel
that success, and wealth, and honor can find out
a way or highway by ever setting aside honesty
and clear-eyed truth.
After the stir and smoke of the nominating
conventions were over, it was found that to bring
the Democratic candidate in full light before the
country, was to unearth an unexpected den OF
moral corruption ana sensual QeDaSemeuU.
And here let Mr.. SchurZs own words preach in
behalf of virtuous habits and good moral
character The moral sentiment Of the Nation
has been appalled, at the m oral problem set be-
fore it. If the question had been clear one be-
tween Righteousness and wrong-doing, it seems
as if our national conscience would have been
well enough educated to make very prompt
and emphatic decision. But unfortunately I'M
questioned good not one of the factors
Some ethical discrimination was required OF
kxx,f, oriv al ngi6a ic
the lesserl l believe the discussion and the
ferment these recitals have caused, will be an
instructive lesson to the young concerning the
desirableness of maintaining the honor of their
private life, and also will make the purpose
stronger among the people to insist on clean
hands and pure heart in those that ascend to
our high places of honor and trust
Which is the greater evil, public dishonesty
or private immortality We have no authority for
thinking that the Judge of all the earth will
remit the penalty of any one command more
than another. Society is full of covetous men
whom no human law can convict. But there are
commandments that society in its own relations
does take hold of, and must protect itself
against Society may declare against them be-
yond any other and may regard them with SUI
preme indignation and adherence. Blood
outlines and beastly, abominable sensuality,
society has right to trample them out of the
earth if it can Human relations must declare
for the society, and God himself does authorize
US so to do.
And, yet, after we have been led to believe
that the national conscience has really been
quickened and elevated, how shall it be account
ed for that man of confessed immoraities has
been elevated to the presidential chairs
1t has been doue under protest such
as was never before uttered by multi
tudes of high minded men, and honorable women
not few. Since there was not much to spare
from the dead lock of a tie the moral sense of
the Nation has evidently had a chance toexpress
itself, and has, on the whole, been lifted into
,.Oek6 arr Il.
in private as well as in public life, There may
be truth in what we have heard, that the party
had gathered corruption and needed the discip-
line of defeat and publication. The twenty
four years of this partys power has been an era
of great deeds 1t has been the heroic
age of the Country. And yet. if this
Republican party has in any repects
proved recreant to duty, false to any
trust, it does accord with Gods methods to hold
people or a party vigorously true to its highest
standards and to punish detection therefrom Just
as it was in His dealings with his ancient chosen
people; when they were untruthful to their high
trust, He gave them over unto the Babylonians
and Assyrians or sold them iDto the hands of
the Canaanites Philistines, Now, if evils
have indeed grown like great barnacles upon the
ship of state; if it is so that they of this great
party unto whom was committed the service and
honor of accomplishing the emancipation of an
enslaved race, if now they have betrayed in any
way their high trust and failed of their
supreme opportunity of pronouneing against
intemperance with clear and ringing note, and
of declaring against every form of dishonesty
and untruthfulness, of oppression and corrup-
ton, with no uncertain sound-if they have
failed in these things it would be according to
Gods methods to punish them as he punished
unfaithfulness in the Israelites of old. when he
delivered them into the power of oppressors or
sold them into the hands of the Phiistines.
The address was discussed by Mrs A G. Por-
ter Mrs. Sewali. Mrs Zerelda Wallace, Mrs.
Ashby, Mrs. Lotion, Mrs. Bates and others,
after which the society adjourned