The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12


Bishop Potter, OF New York, reopens
the crusade against bribery, Office traffic
and spoils. He stands firmly by his st.
PauPs Centennial sermon, and to World
reporter yesterday earnestly said:
Yes, l meant it, every word OF II. 1
said to myself this is a solemn occasion,
very solemn occasion, and il ever man
were called upon to speak the truth,
plainly and without the veneer of syco-
phancy or time.serying, was that man.
l felt deeply what said and am rather
surprised that did not make myself en-
tirely clear. Each man reads the history
OF this country in his own way. He forms
his estimate, his opinions OF men, OF the
impress for good or evil that they have
left on the social fabric. ask nobody to
be responsible for my opinions, but to me
II always has seemed that the sleek,
smooth-tongued chicanery that developed
in Jelierson's time was quite rs offensive
rs the blatant shibboleths OF the spoils
hunters in Jackson's days. rather lean
TO the side OF frankness, and we must ad-
init that Jackson's whole character en-
couraged II. This explanation is chiefly
rendered necessary because of my uso OF
tho word simplicity 1t may have been
vague. You know, as q writer, how easily
one makes mental Interpolation. There
is an ellipsis in the sentence as spoken, but
/ took for granted that the connection,
the context, would interpret my full mean.
ing
"Vulgarity, as used il, did not refer to
manners, but to the political atmosphere.
Vulgar means common The manners
OF the people may be very high, but the
moral tone very low. Look at some
countries in Europe" and the Bishop
named them. snow you catch the idea.
What is the vulgar definition OF the
Presidential Office? Why, il is that the
office Is created for land that the man who
fills IL is there to distribute) the loavcs aud
fishes. But that's utterly wrong. Tho
President is whore he is for administra-
tive purposes. Remember, I'm no Mug
wumpl I've been Republican all my lilo
never voted any other ticket since tho
party existed, but hate 'taiiy' and plau-
tudes. believe in saying something that
] at least assume 10 have a reason for being
said. Besides, there were plenty OF my
friends, who, during the Centennial occa-
sion, were sure TO pay sounding compile
menb to Mr.. Harrison and the Nation
that honoB him. | wasn't need for that
hadn't any place for Il myself.
"Well, apply what have said above re-
garding my estimate OF the Presidential
office 10 the present situation. How much
time has Harrison given 10 statesman
ship2 Not an hour Not an instant, so
far as anybody knows lie was put where
he Is 10 maintain the nations dignity, 20
protect the rights of the poor and rich, TO
rule, not TO engage in barter and trade.
But alas, what spectacle We havel We
behold the President OF the United States
OF America intcnt only on getting Con.
grcssmen out OF the house Mt midnight, 80
that he can 90 to bcdl What's the use OF
beating about the bush in this matter? IL
makes mo very tired"
"rhen YOU had no thought OF assailing
the personal character OF Andrew Jack
son7'
"Not in the slightest" replied Bishop
Potter, land / regret that such an infer
ence has been made the prclcxt for a 70.
prisal in the form OF an attack on the per
sonality OF Lincoln. Mr.. Lincoln hadn't a
vulgar fiber In his nature. lie was rustic,
aud the distinction between yulgarily and
rusiiciiy is fundamental. They don't co.
incide even by vulgar fraction. | was
not striking at anybody personally, though
you know Il would be easy enough 10
name men as types OF the very methods
that / meant TO dcnounco. / couldn't
help contrasting the scene and the times,
when remembered that was 10 stand In
st. Paurs pulpit exactly where my prcde-
cessor had stood when he addressed Wash
ington and all the noblencss OF purpose,
patriotism and dignity that tho Father OF
his Country represented. In tho cider
time the conception OF a great Office was n
great conception. Now you yulgarizo or
make common great conception, and Il
becomes very common or vulgar indeed.
When | spoke Of the Jacksonian vulgarity
] had reference, ~ ! said, 10 the political
atmosphere.
81 sec that n brother Of the cloth has
invested the Hero Of New Orleans with a
very fine halo, but | cannot forget that
under the Jackson regime the hateful die
tum was pronounced, To tho yiciors be-
long the spcilA' And the believers In
that dictum who attain the Presidency
devote tho public time 90 distributing the
poslofliccs and other rewards. When |
speak OF this n the era OF the pluiocrais
nobody can misunderstood me. Every
body has recognized the rise OF the money
power It's growth not merely STILES the
independence Of tho people, but the blind
believers In moneys omnipotont power
assert that Ia liberal use condoncs every
oliense."
A sheaf Of lctiors was gathered from the
brave Bishops desk and shuillcd over like
an inyincblo hand Of whist Rcy. DR..
furnoss spoke In trumpet tonos-indccd
/ ho was n iiory tuncssl lilo commended,
and commanded, Forward" Next, n
two.page note from Alexander Hamilton.
"You are right ho said, quoting wholly
/ from memory, your stirring aud coura-
gcous words NJ this time recall the gloomy
iorrbOdings expressed by Washington in
his farewell address. with which you are
quite familiar, and tho prophetic words In
! llamilton's letter 10 Gouvcrneur Morris"
! Then followed letter full Of encourage
| ment and commentator from Rev. DIR.
Ncrmilyo. There are scores Of other notes
and letters.
political parties are necessary 10 keep
society sweet The danger OF the present
situation Is that the people are too largely
silent The recognition of the value oi
parties 10 a nation. 10 universal In Eng.
land and France, Is distinct from the doc
trine land in no sense corollafy) that
the spOila II Office belong 10 tho victofs
aud that tho successful use OF money In
politics Is not an Infamous crime. We
want parties, wo want agitation. Tho
pulpit does not speak out Us II should.
| Ihran Blut0rfata arc the enemies of ~