The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-09-11
THE RELIGIOUS DODGE.
The Most Contemplate Campaign schaas
Ever Attsmpto1.

The Most Contemplate Campaign Schasao
Ever Attempted.
Leading Republican papers all over
the country have objected to the Lodge
election bill that it is measure not in
response to any popular demand; that
the people desire peace between the
sections, surcease Of passion and re-
sentiment, while the election bill con-
templates and is calculated to produce |
. state Of things precisely the reverse
OF all this. It Is, and was from the be-
ginning. purely politicians move
ment, the scheme of ambitious and des-
perate men with purposes Of their own
to subserve.
Among the protests that came in
against the passage Of tho bill were
many from Southern Republicans and
bodies of colored men. The conspira-
tors felt the force OF the objections and
protests, and realized the need Of some
thing to bre ak their force. They have
accordingly worked hard to secure the
semblance Of > popular demand for the
passage Of the bill. TO this end blanks
have been distributed everywhere for
signatures. containing requests that the
bill be passed.
One OF these schemes thus organized
is intended to work the colored churches
for an Endorsement Of the force bill
rascality. A circular purporting to come
from news company conducted BY
colored men Is sent to the pastors Of
colored churches The body of the cir
cular reads IS follows:
ITO the Pastor-Rev Sir: BY means Of the
Democratic press an assault is being made
upon the public mind. which Is an attempt to
influence National legislation into preventing
the passage Of tho Lodge or Federal election
bill
Expressions OF dissatisfaction from negroes
disgruntled with the Republican party have
been solicited, and their responses have been
published In many Of our great journals, rs be-
ing the true desire OF Afro Americans.
I'VE know that these declarations Of opinion
do not illustrate the popular sentiment. They.
however, are full OF possible mischief There
legislative powers that their opposition Is but
rs voice against . mighty tempest, IT has
been decided to take such steps rs WILL when
carried out, display the true desire OF the Afro
American masses. But TO be successful in this
laudabe effort We need your aid. This you can
give most effectively By, after you have ad
vised with your people, filling ont the inclosed
blank.
I'VE would suggest that you present the
matter before the members Of your church this
coming Sunday evening, or at such other scrv-
Ice on that day when you may have the largest
! congregation. Ask your people in body their
opinion OF the Lodge bill and put their answer
In the blank In the place prepared fer the
same. BY doing this you will be assisting the
cause Of right and aiding your people to secure
| the franchise from which In many instances
/ they are now debarred.
THE efficacy Of prayer Is known TO no people
/ better than II Is to Afro Americans. Therefore,
1 you may ind 1t well to act upon this suggestion.
Have your Sunday service accentuate Oy prayer
the peoples desire for the passage Of the Fed.
/ eral election bill.
AFTER having filled the blank please insert il
! In stamped envelope provided AMI mail at once,
! Immediately after service.
| The blank sent out with this.precious
document has spaces for the town or
city, the name OF the church, the num-
Der of the people attending it and for
their opinion of the Lodge bill. So far
there is nothing in the blank to pre-
vent its being used for an opinion ad-
verse to the bill. The authors of the
plot, however, did not overlook this
point, and, accordingly, have had
printed below: I'VE have prayed in q
body for the passage of the bill. For
| ward. Right and Justice" Below this
is line for the signature Of the pastor.
Could there be . more contemplate,
more detestable scheme for manufact.
urimg evidence of public sentiment
which does not exist? The pastors oi
colored churches are here invited to ex
ert their influence, often very great,
over the members Of their fOcks, to in
duce them to take position upon po
lltical question and to favor measure
which the originators Of the conspiracy
very we'll know would be most unfortu-
nate in its results to them. For this
wicked purpose the pastors are asked t.
employ the Sabbath day, when the
members have assembled for worship.
To cover up the impropriety Of such
action there is cunning attempt ts
give . pious turn to the transaction.
The efficacy Of prayer is suggested. and
the pastor is invited to stifie objections
to this mingling Of religion and politic.
by giving it the mask Of . religion.
duty.
The Republican party has alway:
been fond Of working the churches
in its interest. Behind the mask o
piety it hides the most wicked purposes
It is never SO ostentatiously pions q.
when preparing to stir up strife or t
perpetrate injustice. Nobody know
better than tho leaders in this move
ment that by estranging the Southern
negro from the white people among
whom no lives they are doing him th'
greatest possible injury, but they ar
not deferred by this from seeking +
perpetrate monumental wrong in tn
sacred name Of religion. A cause tha
must be supported by such means j
desperate indeed. louisville Courier
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