Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-07-11
nIsHor POTTER ON oURPoLIrIcs.

Bishop Potter is the vigorous ton
gued divine, who at the late constitu-
tional centennial in New York, dashed
this administration and the methods by
which it was elevated to power, so
sOWdly that ityet bears the sears. His
recent Harvard Grafton is ON the same
line and has created an impression that
viii not soon fade.
lie took for his text a speech recent
ly delivered by The first assistant post
master general ON the political issues
of the day. lie condemned that policy
Of favoritism which makes partisan ser
vice the open-seSame to political prefer
meut; that utter disregard Of personal
fitness for Office, which is a striking
characteristic Of this Republican adj
miniStration, and sweeping and en-
phatieally asserted that men have come
reconsider every Office Of trust in the
light of SO much spoil, and every
political contest as simply scramble
for personal emolument.
Says Bishop Potter, such a view of
the service of the government should
be held only by some Tuscan bandit
escaped out Of his transalpine Businesses
20 prey upon our unSuSpecting nStitu-
tions." But that it has come TO be the
deliberate conviction Of men in high
places among MS, and that this new Cos
pei OF INSCRIPTIONS Self-seeking is open
ly proclaimed as the only spell powerful
enough TO maintain healthy and active
interest in our political Institutions,
that. in other words, there is no instinct
Of patriotism strong enough TO constrain
a man TO active participation in the po-
ltical life Of the nation unless there
bangles before him, all the while, the
possible prize which he may snatch out
Of the sordid and shameless strife-this
certainly is teaching which may well
make AN honest people flush with keen
and indignant shame"
No one will fail to recognize the truth
Of these burning words Then the
Bishop strikes the pension feature of
the government. He hits hard aud
cuts 20 the very quick. He says:
To-day il is in the air that it is the party
which bids highest TO u precisely similar
constituency that is to be rewarded the
symbols of national primacy and authority.
And out of this it has come TO pass that not
alone some SCARED and honorable veteran;
not alone some brave and MANNED survivor
Of an heroic charge; not alone the widow
and orphan whom death on the field on in
the hospital has left bereft and penniless-
but every Skulking camp follower and de-
sCrter. every fraudulent and tainted claim
ant who has the effrOntery 10 demand his
bride. can have IT, if only his vote shall
thus become a commodity within the con-
troll of partisan dictatiOn, and he himself a
lackey 10 do his political masters bidding.
have nothing % say of those VINO have de
vised this infamy and baptised 1t with the
name of civic gratitude; but Tor the man
hood which il is destined 20 corrupt and de
Grade. no honorable man can feel, think
any other than the most profound sympathy
and sorrow.
Some people may denouncc Bishop
POTTER for 'mixing politics with relig-
ion. but 70 is, nevertheless, pity that
there are not moro divincS of Bishop
PorrEE'~ stamp in the pulpit and not
more OF such mixing. While il is 4
hopeless task TO attempt to reform the
politicians, such talk cannot fail to ex-
crt wholesome influence.