New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-06
IN THE CHURCH PORCH
THE CLERGY AND POLITICS


Bishop Potcrs opinions on most questions are a.
titled to considerable weight for besides being ono
Of the foremost cergymen in influential Christian
body, he possesses well balanced, finely cultured
mind lie is Of the world a. we'll As au
ecclesastc, who constantly mnges with men Of
affairs. and has every opportunity TO know the ten
denotes and drifts Of the age. But the bishops
views not Of necessity right and he would be tho
last to claim that they are. When therefore. as in
his Phi Beta Kappa Grafton. he indulgeS in sewers
structures current political tendencies II il
proper ask how far these structures justified BY
facts.
1t may be admitted at the outset that there ia
great deal Of dishonesty and iobbery among GER
tain classes Of politicians. This Is notorious ,sct.
But 1t fact which Is only possible because Amer.
leans a rule prosperous, happy and contented
that they have become for the time being Indifferent to
the routine details Of government. oh, yes" they
would say, yOu could get their opinion, " Of course
there are lot If harpe- In politics. and they prob
ably divert good deal Of money Ia their pockets
In one way another. Bur too rich and too
busy 10 look very closely after such small fry unless
they should really threaten 10 d. harm. In that case
we would rise in might and clean them out in
short order But ordinarily We have many other
important matters to attend to that we have no time
To bother about politics. This is substantially tho
view that the average citizen takes of corruption In
politics. with cheerful optimism that no logic can
in the world, that It's people the happiest that 1t.
government is the most perfect and that somehow or
other, without any Labor forcthOught on his
part every thing will finally come out ali right. Cor
rption and disagreement IN the meanwhilcl Yes.
he admits: but these thing, sporadic facts.
largely due 10 an una.smilted FORE population. tho
newncss of the country and other temporary causes.
They will disappear IN time, Omnous as they seem
now And they should therefore be eliminated from
any large and comprehensive view OF the future.
Such optimistic confidence in the future doubtless
seems childish to men like Bishop Potter. But It Is
not II i, founded on solid facts: and while It does
not excuse good citizens from neeccting their point
ical duties a, many Of them do, it explains their
neglect and proves that their interest IN honesty ana
good government j. not dead, a. the pohtch pes
,imi,ts Say but only temporarily distracted Inc
American people always be trusted ~ take matters
in Their own hands when really great crisis arises
and az such times II l. apt TO DC very uhpea9" A"'
the eeches and barnaces.
Moreover, Bishop Potter's dennnciation OF "hat y
known as spols system is altogether 700 s"eeps'
There are reeeming features in it, In the hrst pace
the civil service Of the United states IS on the "oo'
The ceanest the best and the most honest IN the worm.
Those who enter It's ranks are. as rule hteuieeh~
renutabe and honest men. in every way competent u
discharge the duties Of the Offices whoh uncs hoa'
When do We hear of the ooverhhehC VI ~"
| United states losing much ~ cent NeNc'' "A
do w, hear Of lis civil servants Offending puoho uo'
cency by their vices Very rarely. When 90 We near
of them treating public with insolencei 30 seldom
that IL Is hardly worth talking about But We are ta
that these men work for the once' u1aV .ney ~
worthily ILL., and therefore they must DC heh up "
| opprobrium and And ministers OF ue ''@Pa
vh. arr. called by a heavenly call 10 work in the Lords
viueyari In season and out Of season. Without hops
~ any earthly emolunient reward. are eSpeciay
severe on professional politicians because they ex'
pect an Office as a reward for party service
I'm. rs a matter of fact what is the record oil the
c,or,,, in This matter? Do they work without any
hone cf an earthly emoumentl Do the most si,'n
mon in the ministry e,cew high place ana idS
marshes, and 20 to work where there i no money,
but where there j. plenty OF SIN misery anu -
To all of these question, We must answer 500 i'e'o
i no Use in blinking plain facts Every Douy A'""'
that some Of the best and most devoted clersymen ao
i 80 o,,titlous They covet the highest honors
- ,b,r denomination and the parishes Which pay tho
largest salaries. And in doing their WORK uey us
tiuctlv have these things IN view a. p"S>'oie anu
! deserved reward. i this wrong N" II i hhi~'
nature Eungltened self Interest l.. III ule Ib'' "',
i. the handspring Of all human endeaN"r' anu "'
-, ,h.. ministry i, no exception. IL i not wrohs
| ., , ,ler,vmau To cherish an ambition 10 be great
dt,,nitary or a great preacher, II ne can u'e"oS W
more good. But II j. wrong fr 'nch 'i'reS "An ~
Amy that he Ia, these things IN view ana 20 ne''s
,h salesman and the politician De'au>e tleS' "''
w. lin, for honor and place. Cleric ana ENmen'
~. ,,. all animated by the same mixed MOTIVES ana
avon the monk who has for'worn the world H'o ho'
, ahl. to tear entirely out Of his heart the seeds Oh
a,nnton. or the Unsuitable craving Tor ue "pp"u~
and respect Of men
p.rbops Won think over,tae this matter "eu'
| . .,,,tc frou letter which clergyman OF Bishop
r,,,.r. own church. the Rev. MilhdSe walker mas
'.,,,., IN, The Churchmau lie resigned sh"rs
,,,, 40 the rcctor~hip of a desirable PARISH IA
" . a., ,,..i.r,tlon The parish began to be flooded