The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-21
DR.. MITCHELL EXPLAINS.
His Idea Seems to Be the Complete
Abolition of Party Politics.

The Rev. DIR. David Mitchell addressed
a good-sized audience at the Scotch Pres
byterian Church last night on the subject
of the recent movements OF the ministers
in politics. His remarks were delivered
as prelude to his sermon. He said:-
II observed remark made by one of
our papers that the meeting of ministers
regarding the Mayoralty had fizzled out.
Having been honored with the chairman
ship thereof, have word to say. 1t
was not as ministers. but as citizens. we
discussed the situation. That we have
the right to do SO none can deny. We
have finger upon the pulse of the public
and have an ear to catch the sound of a
lung or palpitating heart as well as
others. We watch with eager eye
the movements of our city. 1t
is with gladness that we observe
the least attempt to improve mat
ters. Painfully we cast our eye upon
signs which are regarded by right-think-
ing citizens as retrograde. We know
what is the highest good OF the people,
and are only anxious to make this sure.
We believe ourselves to be the best friends
spiritual liberties and to promote its
highest interests.
st is by reason of witnessing the as
saults made upon the rich legacies of
truth and custom this people has Inherit
ed, of our dread of hollow Sabbath OBJ
servance, of our shrinking from the Ii
cense which is being given to intoxica-
ton, gambling and cruelty, of our fear
for the social structure under the inhu-
ence of bad example, of our solicitude for
the children and youth and the homes of
our age. that we meet in earnest counsel
with one another.
ONLY HIGH MOTIVES.
"ln our late attempt 20 consider public
affairs. we were conscious of being actu-
ated by only the noblesJ motives. We had
no partisan object in view. We were
neither Democratic nor Republican in our
meeting. The one thing was to find out
what chance there was for some man of
high character and ability away from the
ordinary party lines. AS things 20 now.
voting the Democratic and Republican
tickets is enslaving ones self.
"There is not room for freedom. One
goes with his party. 1t is no longer the
question of the public good except as 1t is
to he obtained through Republican or
Democratic influence. We feel ourselves
in danger of becoming a party. Such is
human nature. No matter how good q
man may be elected either by the Dem
ocracy or Republicanism. he gives him.
self up to mis- friends, and we pretty
unanimously feel it desirable to break
away for once from party lines and
elect Mayor not only good, but inde-
pendent
II. for one, felt at the outset we were
too late in beginning. Perhaps-as has
been said-we were little green. 1t was
more than intimated to us that clergymen
were SO helplessly innocent that it would
not take much for Il politician even of
small dimensions to wind us all around
his little finger. l am not SO sure of that.
1t seems to me we could learn good deal
were we once to begin, and while not
one of us would deem 1t worthy ambi-
tion to wind politicians around our little
finger-in other words, we would act
fairly and sQuarelv for the best interests
of men-in this way we would be learn
ing our power for good. Now, this seems
to me to be the important consideration
connected with our recent movement.
We have begun to show ourselves. In
some other year we may be ready for ac-
tion.
IN IT AGAIN.
II am sure we did not wish to sway the
voice of citizens for some pettifogging
purpose. What we would like to see is a
citizens movement to act independently
of party. We known there is danger of
such a movement becoming partisan
again. But we want it for once. We de
sire citizens to see just where they are. 1t
would be pleasure to have them taste of
liberty. In this view our late movement
is valuable.
"We may be better ready at another
time for wholesome action. As for the
now, we throw the sponge up. We go to
the polls-those VINO do soto vote our
own particular ticket in kind of dream
like frame of mind that somehow or other
in the providence of God all things will
come right for our city. We do not see
who doetn all things we'll. and we have q
QlimmerinR hope for the future"