The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-08
THE SUPREME NEED.
How to Meet the Present Crisis and Preserve
the Institutions of the Republic.

TO the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
The able discourse of DR.. Buchtel on the
Present Crisis" delivered Sunday even
ing in the Central-avenue Church and out
lined in your columns deserves more than
passing notice. 1t covers the great cues
ton of the hour, one upon which many phi
lanthropists are now bestowing much
thought. Joseph Cooks ultimate Amer
ica," DR.. Strong's "Our Country" and DIR.
Dorchester's "The Signs Of the Times" are
NIL In the same direction. In the last issue
of the Methodist Review is a symposium
on the subject, comprising three articles by
Dr. Parkhurst. DE-. Curtis and DIR. Wilder,
each presenting an important phase.
The burden in the inquiry of all these
writers is this: Are we able, notwith-
standing the many evil influences now ex-
erted. TO maintain and perpetuate our
American institutions" AS might be ex-
pected. there are gloomy and rosy views
presented; according to the temperament
or angle of vision of the writer. For my
part after six months of travel through
Western States and Territories. extending
to tho Pacific coast. / am disposed TO great
hOpefulness, believing the Nation IL at the
present moment In q most prosperous con-
ditIon. and that we are Fastening to yet
better things. in both state and church.
The traveller is constantly impressed with
one fact-that despite the many elements
homogeneous people. The modes of think
ing. speaking and acting are the same in
California, Colorado, Kansas and indiana O.
What Is praiseworthy or blameworthy in
be bending all toward one goal, and that
with rapid strides. Our brethren in the
West listen for the first notes of reform
and progress sent over the wires or pub
lished in the papers and magazines, and
instantly shout for the same thing. and
frequently that Occidental endeavor is
more hearty and united than the first
movement made in the East. One heart,
throbbing with pulsations of high hope,
moves the body polite from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, aud one flag floats proudly on
the nights of the Sierras. the Rockies. the
Alleghenies and the intervening valleys.
do not think We have any reason to fear
the foreigners. They know too well what
came to jeopardize the interests of the land
where they have found larger liberty
and opportunity. There are hum
dreds OF cities In the West In
vians, Poles. Italians, who live orderly
and industrious lives and are helping to
develop our resources and build mp our IN
dustries. If we take them by the hand
cordially, dismissing our fears and sus-
picions. they will make good citizens and
their children will become Americans,
scarcely knowing that their fathers were
aliens
This suggests the ground of hope for our
country: We must take care of the chill
drer. This must be done in two ways.
The free school, that distinctlyely Ameri.
can institution, must be maintained.
taught, together with the rudiments.
And the children of the rich and poor. the
native and the foreign born. brought INFO
daily contact, will mold each other into a
common likeness. But intellectual culture
is not sufficient. Virtue must be Joined to
intelligence. The Sunday schools of the
country must be increased in number and
competent teachers employed therein 10
give instruction In morals and religion.
With these two agencies-the public school
and the Sunday sc hoOl-fully equipped.
we can meat the crisis overcome the evils,
maintain our institutions and become q
nation whose glory shall awaken the hopes
of benIghted peoples In all lands.
INpIANAPoLIs, Sept. Z. j. T.. GILBERT.