The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-01
RELIGION AND POLITICS.

The delegation of American working
men who are visiting in England are
well received everywhere, not only
by labor organizations, but by pub
lie officials. Some of the formal greet
ings indicate a close study of American
institutions on the part of the speakers,
and a familiarity with certain political
phenomena here rather surprising in
persons who have not visited this coun-
try. The Mayor of Birmingham, for in
stance, in his welcoming address said
Americans had something to learn from
Englishmen. He vas sorry there were
so many classes in America who did not
think it their duty to take part in the
government of their country as much as
he thought they ought to do. He was
especially sorry to find that the religious
classes of America took very little part
in political life. He, the Mayor, belonged
to a body not unknown in America-the
Quakers. In England many members of
that body belong to the legislature, and
some of them-certainly one man, John
Bright-had done a great deal for the
true interests of England. But III
America very few Quakers took part in
the work of legislation. He should be
very glad to see this state of things al
tered in America, for if the religious
portion of the community took part in
politics they might purge it from some
of tho evils that existed. This is a
shrewd and, in the main, a just criti-s
cism. While it is not true that religious
people, as a class, or any religious de-
nominations, as a body, refrain from par
ticipation in politics, it is unquestiona-
bly, true that that portion of the male
population commonly designated as
our best citizens" is inclined to
fail in performance Of the active
and most essential duties of citizenship.
This dereliction is more n~oticeablein local
than in national affairs of government.
ers and earnest workers who are never
heard from in municipal or State con-
tests. AS a result of this activity of the
better element presidential elections are
freer from scandals and corruption than
our minor campaigns, and the higher of
ficers of the government are, as a rule,
of a grade much higher, morally and in
tellectually, and more nearly represent
alive of the people, than those chosen to
preside over local affairs. The exceptions
to this rule in the one case indicate that
best citizens are sometimes mistaken in
Judgment, and in the other that a defec-
ton even of a part of the moral element
cannot always prevent the selection
of honest and honorable men for
Mayor, councilmen and Legislators.
These good men do not withdraw them
selves from local politics because of their
religion, but because of an unwillingness
to come in contact with the corrupt class
which has gained its prominence largely
through their own carelessness and neg
lect of duty. They hold themselves
fastidiously aloof from primaries and
other preliminary political gatherings.
When improper candidates are chosen,
they are loud in their criticisms, and
when good mes are selected without
their help are apt to forget or neglect to
cast their ballots. Such men have no right
10 criticise or comment upon an election
unsatisfactory in its results. To do so is
an impertinence, since they are to blame,
The better element is in the majority in
most American communities outside of
the penitentiaries; most assuredly it is
in indianapolis, and if agents of the
Liquor League and tools of the saloon
element are put in places of power at
the coming election it will be the fault
of the 'good citizens and no others.