The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-06-19
For the TIxEs.
Letter from Wand ering Corre,pondsn,

The editorial department Of the T,Mys
needs no commendation fron me, and il /,
with much pleasure that note the improve.
ment in its correspo adeuce. Whenever
kqut stion is sprung that touches the interest Of
C'unty, State, or Nation IL Is discussed with
20 meoh logical force and ability, that Am
eegioiug to realize the fact that, 70 be only
an occasional correspondent, will have 70
stir up alrpy latent energies, Or s.sst lsll p
pEoArix0 AROUND. 5 4
owing 10 our cosmopolitsn habits 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
advanced age. In religion Mr.. Smith is q
devout member Of the Methodist Episcopal
Churoh Ssuth. In politics he is q thorough
bred farmer and q member Of tho Farm ers'
Ailisnoe. We found Mr.. Smith at home and
81 leeisurc. He says that he has no objection
70 ms opinions on the current topics of the
day being given TO the press for what they
arc worth. Speaking Of
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Smith said that while he admits that
snorousn organization is essential tn SUCCESS
lSuhdsy school work, and that frequent
sunday School Conventions have their utility
pe greatly fears TINT too much attention is
given 10 statistics, aud that divine command.
Thou shalt not steal" is hot rs strongly
Impressed as IL should be. He thinks TINT
.niuc-tenths Of the evils complained of could
be traced to q violation OF this command. n
the word ohicanery could be eliminated from
the English language. In thi. connection
mr. Smith raid that he regrets that his
ehurch mas ever taken any stand in favor of
PROHIBITION.
That the Incorporate use of intoxicating
spirits has produced untold misery and deg.
radiation there can be no doubt. On the
other hand it is equally certain that tho
reasonable aud temperate use Of Alcoholic
stimuiants has been productive Of great good,
aud that countless thousands owe their lives
10 the temperate use Of spirituous liquors.
All branches Of the Christian Church have
laws prohibiting drunkenness. 1t is well
known fact that these laws are dead letter,
and that large majority Of the druukards Of
our land are enrolled as members Of tho differ
ent churches, and in good standing. Double.
distilled anaihemas are hurled from the pull
pis upon the head Of the whisky seller, while
the drunken cuss occupies an imprepna able
position in the "Amen corner" and meets
his pastor with complacent emile, a warm
grasp Of the hand, and the congenial greet
ing of n brother. ,,x
BoYcorTrHa THE wHfsKf TRAFFIC..
Mr.. Smith expressed himself In opposition
TO thnpa an Of the Church aiding in auy ef-
fort TO secure prohibition by State or National
legislation. He admits that if there were
NO whisky sellers there would be but fsw
Gnnkers bus thinks, asa, that if there
were no drinkers there would be no sellers.
II tne church wants complete prohibition, it
has only to enforce its own laws; make al.
terstions and amendments If necessary. "a.
form ,ts drnnk.rls and boyca.. the LIQUOR
business. With 80 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
or its common schools as it is in these
schools that the masses of the people get
the,r mental training, and il is by these
schools that the higher schools and colleges
STATE UNtvERsIrIEs.
Being o graduate of o State University
himself, 1t Is quite natural for Mr.. Smith TO
advocate liberal education under the con-
troll aud patronage Of the State. He thinks
r that as we have only one christianity, its
principles should be taught in all schools
but religions ara 8, numerous that they can
all be very we'll dispensed with, in conuec.
zion with literary or scientific course of
instruction. To spike a young mans edu-
ca,ion with the peculiar doctrines of any
particular religion, is to hamper and con-
tract his views in after life. With Q liberal
and unseotarisn education, he is prepared
to think and act for himself, and eau then
enter and graduate from any Sunday School
that he may choose.
pENoMINArioNAL COLLEGES.
The c'asses that graduate from deuomina-
tional colleges are nearly always small, and
the expenses Of running them are heavy.
1t sometimes happens that q well organized
: G san,,lis nnst be pnid at least o living annual
- ary to graduate thrCe or four dudes who
care but little for any religion, still less for
the principles of christianity, and nothing
for old fashioned honesty. 1t is hardly
reasonable to suppose that these dudes will
feel the samo loyalty to the State that they
would IL they had received their education
IN State institution Of learning If any OF
them have any political aspirations, aud are
elected TO any Office, it is too often the case
that they are elected more on account of their
afillia,ion with this, that or the other re.
ligion, than rs reward for mental and
moral qualifications.
THE sUB-TREAsURY.
= Skipping over the tariff and all other
matters Of minor importance, We came to
that all-absorbing topic, the sub-treasury bill.
Mr.. Sm th thinks that this bill contains
more good political philosophy than was
ever before expressed or implied by the same
ncmbcr of English words. He says tha,
while II would give to the country flexible
currency, capable Of alternate contraction
and expansion, as business may require, its
most charming feature is the Hexibility OF
the bill itself. The bill is malleable enough
10 be hammered out so ss TO cover almost
every interest, and Timber enough to be bent
10 any required direction. 1t has stubs
enough +, tack on all the amendments that
can possibly be needed. He is glad that
lis deficiencies are being closely scrutiuixed,
and that one important amendment has
already been suggested, 10 the shape Of q
great
NATIONAL HOG PEN.
Mr.. Smith regrets that some of The breth-
rsn take this suggestion in bad faith, and
look upon it as burlesque on the bill as
well rs upon the noble order in which IL