Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-09-11
THE RELIGIOUS DODGE.

THE RELIGIOUS DODGE.
The Most Contemplate Campa,en scheme
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 whila 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 tbs protests that came in
against the passage of the bill were
many from Southern Republicans and
bodies of colored men. The conspira-
sors felt the force of the objections and
protests, and realized the need of some
thing to break their force. They have
accordingly worked hard to secure the
sembIance of a 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 a news company conducted by
colored men is sent to the pastors of
colored churches. The body of the cir
cu1ar reads as 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 the Lodge or Federal election
DILL
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 as 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
fore. to convince the masses and the National
legislative powers that their opposition is but
as voice against mighty tempest, 1t has
been decided to take such steps as will, when
carried out, display the true desire of the Afro
American masses. But to be successful in this
laudable effort we need your aid This you can
give most effectively by, after you have ad-
vsed with your people, filing out the inclosed
blank.
1--WE would suggest that you present the
coming Sunday evening, or at such other serv-
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 for 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 de barred.
1.-The efficacy of prayer Is known to no people
better than it is to Afro-Americans. Therefore,
you may find it well to act upon this suggestion.
Have your Sunday service accentuate by prayer
the peoples desire for the passage OF the Fed
eral election bill.
''After having filled the blank. please insert it
in stamped envelope provided and 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: 1--WE have prayed in a
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-
uring evidence of a public sentiment
which does not exist? The pastors of
| colored churches are here invited to ex-
ert their influence, often very great
over the members of their flocks, to in.
| duce them to take a position upon a 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 to
employ the Sabbath day, when the
members have assembled for worship.
To cover up the improperly of such
action there is cunning attempt to
give a pious turn to the transaction.
The efficacy of prayer is suggested. and
the pastor is invited to stifle objections
to this mingling of religion and politics
by giving it the mask of a religious
duty.
The Republican party has always
been fond of working the churches
in it's interest Behind the mask OF
piety it hides the most wicked purposes.
1t is never SO ostentatiously pions as
when preparing to stir up strife or to
perpetrate injustice. Nobody knows
better than the leaders in this move.
| menu GnaC Dy eSIranR1ng the southern
negro from the white people among
whom he lives they are doing him the
| greatest possible injury, but they are
not deferred by this from seeking to
perpetrate monumental wrong in the
sacred name of religion. A cause that
must be supported by such means is
desperate indeed-Louisville Courier.
Journal.
NORTH AND SOUTH.
! Tho Son Of Former Slave Discusses the
| Welfare Of His Race.
If you will allow a colored reader to
express few words through the col