Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1888-09-29
Politics and the Pulpit.

EDITOR OF WoMANs CHRONICLE The late cleo
ton outrages give food for severe reflection to
those interested in good government and good
morals among the people. These election troubles
do not occur without cause. The evil is deep
rooted. The devil has put it into the minds of the
ministry to stand aloof from politics. Good men
generally have come to feel that they do not want
to soil their hands with politics. That is just what
the devil wants. Good men do not vote they
stay away from the primaries. Gamblers, saloon
keepers and that class take possession of the pri-
mares and voting precincts and have full sway.
Is it any wonder that if good men are elected they
are counted out? That if emo license" carries,
we are cheated out of our rights The party ma
chinery is in the hands of corrupt men. The po-
lice Of both city and state are in sympathy with
the saloon interests. Surely nothing good can be
expected from an election under such circumstan-
ces. Votes are sold at our elections for dollar
or two or drink of beer. This is not mere asser-
t ion but is we'll known to all men who attend the
voting places. This state of things is not confined
very life of the social fabric. In clubs, Christian
temperance unions, Y. M. c. AS, aid societies,
how often is it seen that some one who has seen
the politician succeed by trickery, undertakes to
introduce his methods in order to gain some per-
sonal advantage? Even the church with shame
be it said) is affected with this unwhoesome lep-
rosy. Who has not seen the self-asserting men,
Der who aspires to be the most important and con-
spicuous figure in the meeting? Nay, have you
ever seen the intensely selfish member who loves
power and pompous display receive it just like the
political bosses, by distributing patronage? Civ
ing employment to this one, holding out prom
Use to another, until by their obsequious todyng to
him for his oaves and fishes he held the entire
church in helpless submission to his own selfish
schemes? Such things could not occur in Little
Rock. Present company is always excepted.
Such man is UNNECESSARILY worse than the man
who sells votes at an election, because of the
cover under which he carries on his nefarous prac-
tees. How much worse is the church member
who surrenders his manhood for position than the
poor negro who sells his vote to the highest bid
der? What is the remedy? Undoubtedly it lies
largely with the pulpit and the membership of the
churches They must no longer be duped with
the cry of "Must not preach politics." The pull
pit has everything to do with politics-not party
politics, but with all matters that belong to the
education of our young people, to be conscientious
and faithful in the discharge of all duties of citizen
ship. The pulpit must use its power to train up
men and women of conviction and principle, who
cannot be led by unprincipled leaders. Good
men, instead of keeping out of politics, must go
into politics and drive the devil out. 1t is not be-
tbo ro1o o,,+ boo itxyb ,t ho
cause it has determined, united leaders. When
ever ministers and church members make up their
minds to do their whole duty in this matter,
saloon politics will speedily disappear from the
land. God speed the day. IRENE.