The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-08
ADVICE 10 THE coLoRRp PEOPLE.
Rev. E. K. Love Upholds the Mayor In
Closing Saloons on SUNDAYS.

Rev e. n Lsfct pdnAOT OK El6 FlrSc
African Baptist church delivered a very able
sermon Sunday night in which he gave his
congregation some sound advice and nm
held the mayor In closing the saloons on
Sundays. The following are extracts from
it:
desire to preach to you o sermon tonight
upOn civil government, and shall dwell mar
ticularly upon our municipal government You
see by the selections have read to YOU that I
am amply warranted from Gods words for the
remarks which shall make to you tonight
feel it needn't, yea, duty, IN declaring to you
the whole counsel of God. TO give YOU siich in
formation as may be able on this important
subject that you may attain to perfect SYM
metrical manhood: Perhaps ought to confess
in the outset that am not q politician nor ths
son Of politician. l have no patience with
sympathy for nor inclination to be a politician
10 the present degenerated acceptation of the
term. Indeed do not think that Christians.
and especially minister's, should take an active
part in the politics of to-day. Not that there il
any harm in politics proper, but the present
method OF a large percentage of the politicians
of to-day carries on It's face a scandal 10 Chris
tianity aud ferbids the active afiliation Of
Christians, But am an American citizen and
an profoundly interested In everything that
we have taught ourselves, or allowed
others TO teach us. to view this sub
iect from too narrow a Standpoint for
our peace, prosperity s1d happiness, and to
those around us. and with whom we are com
pslled to have TO do Say what you will, virtue,
economy, industry. honesty. patriotism
ever they ara found will be respected
regardless OF color. 1t is good sense
10 he on the very b st possible terms with the
powers mat most directly concern us, with which
we aTe brought In contact daily. to which
must look for prot ction aud by which we must
5a tried IL is nonsense only to support and
seek the protection Of distant powers, whose
protection and benefits are distant and can but
at best help in a general way We cannot
neglect the municipal powers which control
our destinies, and with which we cannot escape
Oentact. Perhaps we, as leaders. have not done
our whole duty in calling attention to this
matter. AS citizens of the United States
we should be interested in the government
of this country and see to it, as far as power
in US lies, that the very best men are put iu
charge OF the government to administer the
lsw. But l am more interested in the govern
ment OF Georgia because it concerns me more
and must naturally be more interested in me-
This Is not because love the United States less,
but that love Georgia. my state, more. l am
fool, verify, If seek the recognition and
friendship Of the general government at the
expense OF the government of my home There
are many ways in which the laws Of Georgia
concern me that the laws OF the country 40 not
While we must be loyal to the flag of this
country as worthy OF our love and patriotism
our more immediate concern must be of Georgia
and the development of its greatness. |
go further still We should be most
Interested in the government of Savan-
nab. in the development OF its greatness,
in its great people, and faithful officers
Notwithstanding, Georgia is our state, Savan-
nah is our home. Our residences are here We
must minge with its citizens, their interest ia
our interest, and our destiny is the same. There
are many ways in which Savannah its people
its government and its officers concern us that
Georgia. as a state, does not. And, therefore
while We should not love Georgia less, we should
love Savannah more.
As a race of ex-slaves we can but be subject
TO the government. Law and order are our best
friends. Indeed, tbs true Of any people. 1t is
wisdom for US under all circumstances TO throw
ourselves on the side Of good government aad
render every possible assistance to the agents
OF law in hunting down and bringing trans
gressors TO justice. Every violator of the law
that Is punished, Of whatever race or standing
helps civilization and benefits society Let me
urge you mot only to be subject to the govern
nent, but aid it In every way you can By so
doing you make 1t the better able to aid and
protect US. The sin of omission is as dangerous
as the sin OF commission Though we may not
support 1t, we sin against 1t.
II our city authorities were to reqlce every
citizen TO enforce the law. none should respond
more willingly than Christian. If you were
TO happen upon policeman struggling with
bad prisoner. trying to get him to the barracks,
and this prisoner was resisting, 1t would be
your duty to assist that policeman aud help
take the man in, it matters not who he Is. He
is resisting the ordinance of God. II man is
arrested by an officer, 1t is his duty to submit,
whether heis right or wrong II he does not
u is the duty Of every citizen, and especially
Christians, to see that he does, because he is
resisting the ordinance of God. am fully
aware that this may seem very strong doctrine,
under the circumstances, which come to the
mind OF many, and am profoundly sensible
OF the difficulties surrounding my utterance of
it, but it is nevertheless the proper doctrine to
teach. For in a community where there is a
proper regard for the law will readily
realize the folly Of resisting the authorities
lie 1t understood that communities and cities
can only thrive and enjoy permanent prosper
ny, lasting peace and eternal happiness where
there is proper regard for the law and where
the officers of the law get the respect and sup
port from the citizens that are due to them.
Wnen the citizens respect the officers and pro-
tect them. il makes them mora yigilant cour-
sgeous aud witha better officers. To refuse to
90 SO makes them cowardly, careless. weak and
wicked, and the community will be the sufferer
In the end.
take it that men are not made
peter by abusing them and calling them dread
iul names. II, from the speech of DR.. Park
hurst the city authorities of New York are dis
respected and single person ressts the powers
That be. the doctor, too. is guilty of resisting
the ordinance of God But be 1t said in eternal
praise of the city authorities of Savannah under
our brave, conscientious, honest, God-fearing
mayor, that DR.. Parkhurst's statement would
not be true of our favored city. Such state
nieuI Oh mayor MCDOnOugh and his associates,
OF our solicitor general, our judges, our grand
1uries, our magistrates and our policemen,
would be vile persecution, coming from what.
soeVer source. The administration OF the laws
OF our city in giving exact justice to
81 classes of our citizens, even the hum
olest and the vlest. is superior to most
cities and will compare favorably with any in
tnis land. Hence our city government COM
mends Itself to the admiration and unqualified
support OF every true citizen. The ntimaton
IN the papers the other day that parties were
contemplating, If not actually planning, foul
pay with our mayor shocked every fair minded
onu true friend to good government in this COM
munlty. regardless of color or nationalities. 1t
vas especially painful TO the better and best
vases or colored citizens to learn that two
nnegroes were parties to what might have been
tnsd our mayor left his house, the greatest out
rage ana calamity known in the history of Sa-
vahnah-the assassination of this good man
sInply because he has been faithfully discharg-
IHs MS duty under the law, for the truest good
VI the people of Savannah in fulhlment of his
oath l am truly glad that Savannah and my
Iace nave been saved from this awful disgrace.
KNOW that voice the sentiments of the better
a1u best classes of colored citizens
Mueh L say we shall show to
.ne authorities and to the people of this COM
.nunty that we are on the side of good govern
Iient and that party ties may go to the winds
Srhment such as Savannah is now enjoying.
, 1ou VIII pardon me. know, when tell you
t .hat ID my anxiety for good government feel
GAI am In the discharge of my duty
SuIIstlan minister whose highest ambition
should be TO seek the best interest of the whole
pSople In calling your attention to the faithful
Hsuinnistration OF the affairs of this city and