The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-06-19

Dsef.N ior rsadsoie letter, but fear tbs,
1 have shouldered more than l. can carry &.
The editorial department OF the TiNrs
needs no comnendstion from me, and il i,
with much pleasure that I note the improve
"""' - 50 ---.s.vvaueuce. whenever n
que stios is sprung that touches the interest Of
County, State, or Nation il is discussed with
% mesh logical force and ability, that I am
begisiug to realize the fact that, 70 bs osly
IN occasional correspondent. win hsve q
stir aP alley latent spsrgisss - Z,
Owingto our eosmopolitan hab5ts We are
unable 10 write much Of any local Interest.
IL We attempt to say. anything on religion
education, politics. the tariff, or the Sub
Treasury, We find that, to youth Of our ten
der years, this would be an herculean task. .
90 in our dilemma We will walk over aud
interview our venerable friend,
JOHN SMITH. SEN, ESQ.
Intellectually aud physically, Mr.. Smith
is hne specimen Of manhood, even at his
advanced age. In religion Mr.. Smith is .
devout member Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. In politics he is q thorough
bred farmer and member Of tho Farmers
Allisnce. We found Mr.. Smith at home and
.st Leisure. He says that he has no objection
to his opinions on the current topics Of the
day being given 10 tho press for what they
arc worth. Speaking Of
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Mr.. Smith said that while he admits that
thorough organization is essential tn success
ful'Sunday School work, and that frequent
Sunday School Conventions have their utility,
be greatly fears TINT too much attention Is
given TO statistics, aud that divine command,
Thou shalt not steal, -, IL not as strongly
1Spresssd - u shouid be. he thinks that
niuc.tenths Of the evils complained of could
be traced to violation Of this command, il
the word chicauery could be eliminated from
the English language. In thi, connection
Mr. Smith raid that lie regrets that his
church has ever taken any stand in favor of
PROHIBITION.
That the intemperate use Of intox eating
spirits has produced untold misery and deg
radiation there can be no doubt. On the
other hand it is equally certain that the
reasonable aud temperate use of Alcoholic
stimulsnts has been productive of great good,
and that countless thousands owe their lives
to the temperate use Of spirituous liquors.
All branches Of the Christian Church have
laws prohibiting drunkenness. 1t is q well
known fact that these laws are dead letter,
aud that large majority Of the druukards of
our land are enrolled as members Of the differ
ent churches, and in good standing. Double.
distilled anathemds are hurled from the null
pit upon tho head of the whisky seller, while
the drunken cuss occupies an impreRna able
position in tho 'Amcn corner" and meets
his pastor with q com placent smile, warm
grasp of the hand, and the congenial greet
ing Of a brother.
BoYCoTTIHd THE WHISKY TRAFFIC.
Mr.. Smith expressed himself in opposition
to the p an Of the Church aiding in any ef-
fort to secure prohibition by State or National
Hn Ic,,t al, a
NO whisky sellers there would be but few
drinkers; but thinks, asa, that if there
were no drinkers there would be no sellers.
II the church wants complete prohibition, it
has only TO enforce its own laws make al
terations and amendments if necessary; re-
form its drunkarJs and boycott the liquor
business. With SO nearly everybody be-
longing to the Church; the withdrawal of
Church patronage would insure the death of
every saloon in the country.
EDUCATION.
Dir. Smith thinks that the civilization of n
country depends entirely upon the success
of its common schools; as it is in these
school. that the masses of the people get
their mental training, and it is by these
schools that the higher schools and colleges
srxfE UXfvfRsITiEs.
Being graduate Of q State University
himself, it is quite natural for Mr.. Smith to
advocate liberal edgcation. under the con-
troll and patronage Sf the State. lie thinks
that rs we have only one christianity, its
prime, pies should be taught in all schools
but religions ara 50 numerous that they can
all be very well dispensed with, in conuec.
tion with n literary or scientific course OF
instruction. 10 spike young mans cdu-
ca'iOn with the peculiar doctrines of any
particular religion, is to hamper and con-
tract t,yicws in after life. With liberal
and unsectari.n education, he is prepared
10 think and act for himself, and eau then
, enter and graduate from any Sunday School
hat lie may choose.
DENoMINATIoNAL COLLEGES
The cases that graduate from denomina
Gonsl colleges are nearly always small, and
the expenses of running them are heavy
1t sometimes happens that well organized
--E--,,lip must be nail ut least living aunua
sa a"y to graduate three or four dudes VIII,
care but little for any religion, still less 70,
tho principles Of christianity, and nothing
for old fashioned honesty. 1t is hardl,
reasonable to suppose that these dudes viii
feel the same loyalty to the State that the,
would if they had received their education
in State institution Of learning. If any o
them have any political aspirations, and ar,
elected TO any office, it is too often the case
that they are elected more OH account of fthei,
affill'r'icc w:.!: :!.:s, :.a,t vi tie other re
ligion, than rs n reward for mental ant
moral oualitlc atoms.
THE sUB-TREAsURY
Skipping over the tariff and oil other
matters of minor importance, we came tC
that all-absorbing topic, the sub-trcasury bill
Mr.. SIN ih thinks that this bill contain.
more good political philosophy than wa.
ever before expressed or implied by the same
number Of English words. lie says tha
while it would give to the country a flexible
currency, capable of alternate contraction
and expansion, as business may require, it.
most charming feature is the fexlbility O.
the bill itself. The bi | is malleablc cnougl
10 be hammered out so as to cover almost
every interest, and timber enough to be bent
IN any required direction. L. has stub.
enough t. tack on all the amendments tha
can possibly be needed. He is glad tha
its deficiencies are being closely scrutiuized
and that one important amendment ha,
already been suggested, in the shape of 9
great
NATIONAL HOG PEN.
MIR. Smith regrets that some of The breth
rem take this suggestion in bad faith, and
look upon ii as a burlesque on the bll q.
Al