The morning call., 1892-10-17
FIVE POLITICAL VICES.
A Powerful Plea for a Pure
Civic Government.
REV. DIR. EASTON'S SERMON.
1t Is the Duty of Every Chr stan Citizen, He
Says, to Join in the Non Partisan
Movement.

THE Leading Vices of American Poll
tics, was the subject of Rev. DIR. Easton's
sermon at Calvary Presbyterian Church
last night. The sacred edifice was we'll
MED with an attentive congregation.
Alter few preliminary remarks. DR..
Easton said: while in theory American
polltcs is the best expression of method to
rule nation. 10 practice it has become un-
fortunately perverted and crimnally defiled.
we DO not want to create any new ideal sys-
TEN, but we desire to see q prolonged,
prudent and prayerful effort to purify the
ola. The conspicuous servant of righteous
ness is needed for all our municipal offices
ana IN all our Legislatures, if anywhere on
this earth. We will be periodically investi-
gazing, indictng. c0nvicting, but not i'm
prlsonlng, one class of culprlts, while the
ancient work of official SHINING will be
carried On by another class. BY and by
ued VIII interfere in vengeance, and our
republic Will be laid away with the great
nations Of the past"
After referring to the fall of the Hebrew
ana other ancient nations, he asked:
What, then, are some of the great leading
vices OF American politics? Are we will
ing 10 nave them reformed in Gods way?
what IS the Christian citizens duty in the
SOheoots VI tulS UbW TtIOTn&LiOu
"First-The ambition of our simple Repub-
llean officials to vie with the extravaganza
OF royalty. The Sixteen Satres of JuYenal
may continue TO be considered masterpieces
oil that class of writing. and yet each is in
reality almost Infinitely less satirical than
the political government of our great cities
to-day. Official extravaganza is the cause
OIL our corruption, and hence official patron
age has come TO be thing OF merchandise
TO keep up the pride of our civil soverigns:
Every well informed man of the world
clearly knows that the simplicity OF Repub-
lican politics is mythical We are in theory
Republican, but in fact regal in our official
and personal expenditures. 1t Is democrat
izing, and this spirit of ambition to rival
old. wornout monarchies Will ring the DEATH
knell of the republic. With humiliation l
am compelled to confess that for all this
public and private extravaganza there is no
practical remedy.
''Second-The determine alton Of our Off
cial incumbents to make all they can out of
their brief chance. This seems to be the
perpetual shame Of our entire civil service"
After dwelling upon this theme al some
length he continued: "R0ttenness IN our
municipal affairs prevails to the disgust of
every property-holder in this city. This
iniquity has compelled some OF our best
citiZens-men who never before tempered
with polltics-to protest and demand in
slant reform by a setting aside OF old party
hacks. tricksters and men Of tainted record,
and the result Is what? Abuse and false
hood The evil must be destroyed, else we
are 10 be destroyed. and this is why good
Christian men are entering the lists, de-
termined to secure good. clean municipal
government and pure judiciary. The duty
OF every Christian citizen is TO join IN this
movement. He owes Ii to God, TO his con-
science, TO coming generations, to see that
this hydraheaded monster OF Official cor
rGption be slain.
Third-The continuous Seheming of pub
lie officers throughout official terms to get
reelected is another vice." He argued that
the vice OF our politics was that the greatest
personal ability, pure honest discharge of
trusts. could not be used efficiently as plea
for reelection. There were more success
full devices and the prevailing electl0neeripg
methods were almost sure to take possession
OF a good officers wisdom just as soon as
the formalities of his induction into Office
were passed.
This incessant, laboriOus scheming to
keep in Office" he said. lis demoralzing
and ruiDous. Men are not elected 10 Office
simply to be selected again. but that they
may faithfully discharge its duties and reap
full reward OF honor and means. Positive
and experienced merit alone should pre-
vail. Is the incumbent able and honest?
should be the only question asked. Ii Is the
only question which a Christian citizen in
the fear Of God has any righttO ask. Ii Is
disgrace to many who fiaunt the Christian
name that they are ready 10 knife a good
man simply because he has not oiled the
machine or trotted around the streets under
the same banner 10 the fife and drun.
1T Is a disgrace TO our Christian ciyillZl-
ton that such unprlncipled methods are
pursued; such singing of mud, through
press and platform; such atrocious wood
cuts are fiaunted TO hold up good men to
scorn, and despicable measures are resorted
10 even to defame fair and unblemished
regulations at the dictati0n Of partisan lead
ers or abett0rs.
''Bnt by low and specious cunning. by
alIuring premiums for official corruption,
how unfortunately effective is the game Of
ousting good men and placing in power I'M
scrupulous, unprincpled, easily handled
creatures. whose chief business is to rake In
all the stealings their avarice can clutch?"
In vigorous language he denounced the
dens OF lntamy, dives and other places pro-
tected by these mercenaty, pef-clutchng
political vampires" aud continued: THE
time has come TO cleanse the Augean
stables. Let there be thorough dsiBiec-
ton, regeneration and new blood infused,
and the glory OF our commonwealth will be
assured.
II plead tonight, In the name of Christ.
whose Gospel l am set to defend-in the
name OF the souls of our children. WI ON we
are commissioned TO save; 10 the name of
the homes whose peace and purity Is the
strength and hope of our city-vote, o
Christian men, 10 close these dives and pest
pull, and whose foul presence is more a
menace to our moral health than the Asiatc
pestilence For this you are responsible,
and for this God will demand an accounting
at the Judgment throne.
"Fourth-Theimpie necessity OF reward
Ing prominent personal party friends, and
fifth and last, the ceaseless efforts OF the
outs TO dethrone the ms Lies, false wit
ness, trickery and devices to augment the
registration list and brides are current and
more effective than eloquence, logic and
brilliant anteCedents.
us is not remarkable and disgustingy
significant that such malOdorous, abusive,
llDelouS things are so rarely exposed except
on the margin of an election, and how de-
pl0rable the number OF beautiful reputa-
tions this designing breath Of partisan
calumny has slain? This is one of the
GROWING vices of our present contest-a
shame and disgrace to reputable journalism
and an instrument OF weak and wicked
men,"
In bis peroration the doctor Numbered
out: Christian citizens, the hour has come
when ure administration is needed and
regeneration IF our whole municipal gov
eminent and a righteous judiciary. VIII
you have the courage of your convictions
and deal death blow at once and forever
to these political abuses and legaliZed forms
| OF thievery called jobs and pulls. that this
fair metropolis of the Pacific may be re-
deemed from its preying vices now and fore
ever?
"Oh, Christian citizens, you may boast of
| your determination to vote a straight ticket,
| but that you can only do as a God fearing
| man when all the men are straight who are
| on the ticket. Honor your conscience.
| Revere your solemn duty to God and your
| country. and that duty viii be revealed so
| clearly that it will be impossible to en-
throne wicked rulers, corrupt legislators and
| purchasable bribe-taking officials. Purge
| out the old leaven with all its death stencil
and filth and usher in the new leaven of
sincere, honest, integrity loving men in our
! city and State departments, so shall the
| glory of fair Columbia in the twentieth
century eclipse the fondest dreams of poet
or VlsIOn-Wrapt seer"