The Washington times., 1894-04-23
COMMONWEAL And CONGRESS-
A Sunday Sermon on the Co1ey Ques-
tion from DR.. Kent.
IT MAY LEAD TO A REVOLT
Although the Men Are Not Delegated By the
People, the Idea Should Be Fostered and
the Army Respectfully Received -Misrep-
resented By the Public Press.

At the Peoples church yesterday morning
Rev, Alexander Kent delivered an earn
est sermon about the advancement OF the
commonweal army upon the city. taking as
the subject of his discourse:
"How shall Washington receive the com
monweal procession-the Coxey Good Roads
Association"
In the opening OF his address he made q
vigorous thrust at the fickleness of the press
in changing from the most severe denuncia-
tion of the Coxey movement to terms Of
praise.
He said that there was no occasion for
alarm. Citizens need not sit up of nights for
fear of robbery or ineendiarism from men
who are bent on peaceful errand, no matter
how impracticable the movement may be-
So far as heard from, said he, the common
veal since leaving Ohio, has conducted itself
with due regard to law and order
''These are but samples of what Ia COM
mon. and we are glad to see that reason and
common sense are taking the place of preju-
dice and bitterness"
Mr.. Kent frankly confessed that he did not
approve of Mr.. Coxey's method Of securing or
seeking to secure desired legislation, and
considered it an unwise and Illogical proceed
ing. He thought that to Mr. Coxey it
appeared to be the best plan for accomplish
ing his purpose. 1t has certainly brought the
matter before the public, and it is Mr.. Coxeys
duty to act on his own judgment and as long
as>his conviction did not bring him in con-
iiict with the laws he should be allowed the
greatest possible freedom.
The first amendment to the Constitution,
said the speaker. declares "that Congress
shall make no law abridging the
freedom of speech or of the press, or the
right of the people to peaceably assemble and
to petition the government for redress of
grievances ~ This amendment, he thought,
showed clearly how anxious were the great
men of that day to preserve the government
from those perils which always attend the
possession and exercise of power.
'And yet" Mr.. Kent continued. ''if we
are to adopt Major Moores reported con-
struction OF an act to regulate the use of the
Capitol grounds Congress has disregarded
this constitutional limitation.
IF the major has given us a proper con-
struction OF this enactment, it is manifestly
an open and fiagrant violation OF both the
letter and spirit Of the Constitution and a
violation, too, in the interest of tyranny and
oppression
Il am no lawyer and know not what au-
thority might be cited to justify the chief of
police in shutting out from the Capitol
grounds men who have business with Con-
gress. but 1 do know that no authority can
make such exclusion anything else than a
palpable denial OF right explicitly guaranteed
by the Constitution.
There have been scores of such bodies
here during this session OF Congress. repre-
senting the various boards of trade, chambers
Of commerce. representives Of Wall street.
railroad syndicates. and coal and whisky
trusts but their movements have not been SO
closely watched ald recorded in the columns
OF the daily press as the Coxey common well
fare advance. These men were workingmen,
but were able to pay for their accommoda-
tons and look respectable. the crime of the
Coxey men seems to be their poverty. Shame
on the manhood that allows for one hour
such a travesty OF republican government as
this. Senator Peffer's bill appointing COM
mittee TO receive the petition of these men
and to show them respectful consideration
should have passed instantly and by unani-
mous vote.
''Can this American republic afford to ignore
the great principle Of right and justice con-
ceded even by robber kings and wrought into
the foundations of all that is best in civiliza-
ton? viii it permit men to be imprisoned
without Il shadow of offense other than pow
erty and without the lawful Judgment OF their
peersI VIII It grant hearings to the rich and
deny audience TO the poor?' Such were the
questions Mr.. Kent asked.
II is known to every member of Congress.
he continued. as abundant confessions and
statements from leaders of both parties will
prove. that the main cause of poverty in this
country to-day is the stagnation of our in
dustries. and this is due to vicious legislation.
Congress. therefore, il it had any proper
sense of responsibility, any decent regard for
s,,Fs CHI h..
pecially anxious to afford this relief and
should give thoughtful and considerate at
tention to what these men have TO Offer and
then act according to its own best Judgment
The main objection the speaker had to Mr..
CoXey's movement was that it was not in
dorsed by the people. No minority OF the
millions of voters in this country should have
the power to spring legislation upon land
governed by majority rule. petition pur-
porting TO be in the interest of the people
should come in some way with their indorse-
ment.
Further. lie considered Coxey's method as
illogical and without appliances for revolu-
ton. The right of revolution is a sacred
right. right which the people of this coun-
try felt obliged to exercise in the past and
may be impelled 70 assert in the future. The
way to avert this issue of present trouble Is
for the people to do their full duty at home
and send to Congress men who will fitly and
without prejudice represent the people and
guard their interests.
1.-The sentiment is that the legislation OF to-
day is little more than bowling farce said
Mr.. Kent ..The boodlers and the politicians
conduct the mujor portion of it. This must
be remedied. and then we will not have volun-
teer reformers tramping their way to Wash
inSton to champion the cause of the people"
In closing, Mr. Kent said that the people
should give kindly and generous reception
70 hn ot hp inter-
csts of the country demand that Congress
accord these people a respectful hearing al
though they do not come as the official and
accredited delegates OF the people. The SYM
patbies OF the vast multitude are with them,
and they will take in no kindly mood any
slight or insult or injustice that might be
offered to them.