New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-28
GENERAL BOOTHS SCHEME.

"Thc London Times" considers that the
resignation of Commissioner smith, Of the sal
walton Army, Will be a dcathblow 10 General
Booths pans Of regeneration. On the CON
tr.Iy, it may be hoped that this Re, gnation
opens a possibility that all that is mcrltorouS
in these plans may vet be carried out Before
it occurred there was abundant reason to be
lcvc that General Booths scheme, under his
own management and control, would fail to en-
list the necessary support. Objections of the
gravcSt character were urged, 50 long aS il was
proposed that the salvation Army, organized
and directed Is it is, should have absolute CON
troll Of the undertaking and disposition Of the
funds But all who have read d" In Darkest
England" must have observed that the scheme
Of regeneration in no way fits the instrument
proposed for it. \ broad Statcsmanlikc and
far-rcaChng plan, wisely seeking first 10 bring
opportunities Of sclI-supporting manhood within
reach of " Darlic>; England" was 10 be carried
out through an organization which seeks. first,
with an enthusiasm aS narrow as it is intense,
the propagation Of a religious belief, and
through a militaIism 80 absolute that the in
tclligenrc or the character of any SubordinateS
would count for nothing. unless the commander
should be possessed Of almost Supcrhuman wis
dom and excellence. II was an attempt 10 put
the Atlantic Ocean into Il pint cap.
In recent letter Professor Huxley gave at
length his reasons for declining 10 turn over to
the Salvation Army a considerable sum which
had been placed in his hands, with the request
that he would investigate and decide whether
| the plan of General Booth mcrted financial
support. The letter set forth reasons for be
- I:,;,.
and propagand>m could not be expected to use
for the best good OF the country or of the world
| the enormous revenues and power which the
success of General Booths plan would place at
his disposal and that the absolute subOrdinatiOn
of every individual to the military authority Of
commander would not only limit the useful
ness Of the work and render it dangerous to
| the public, but would make its success in every
Sc use depend upon the personal qualities Of the
individual who might at any time happen to
become the commander.
Professor Huxley might have added, but did
not, that General Booth had already shown in
some degree that impatience Of the restraints
of law which peculiarly units man for a trust
so delicate and responsible Thus "The Lon
don Economist recently called attention to the
selling OF life annuities by the salvation Army
and to the very proper law which requires GER
tain guarantees and official reports by anybody
engaging in that business, and asks official in
quiry whether the laws have not been DELHI
eratey diSregarded by General Booth. II il be
sad that he was Ignorant Of the law, that i,
admission OF proncncss TO act without necoS-
sary advice or inquiry. IT, on the other hand
he judged that the meritorous objects Of his
Proceedings should lift him above the restraint,
Of laws enacted for the public protection. thar
is precisely the fatal error into which religion.
enthusiasts are apt to fall, even when they do
not claim tha: " the end justiies the means"
The obvious inconsistencies of "In Darlest