People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-07-27
Ministers on the Strike.

Ministers on the Strike.
Tom Richardson, the well known
newspaper hustler, who true to the
instincts Of all actual newspaper men,
is personally against all political par
ties, and like all writers for metro
politan newspapers is responsible
mainly for the style in which he
writes under orders, wrote the follow
ing which was published last week in
the Duly Mail Of this city:
During my stay in Wellington l
have listened to two prominent min
listers discuss the strike situation.
The first was Rev. Severance in a dis
course intensely fascinating but more
ideal than practical. A speech
replete with rhetorical beauty in
which mankind was dealt with as
they should be. rather than as they
are. Rev. BUtkin was more partisan.
There is no chance for any one 10
misunderstood the position this big
Methodist preacher occupies, and
while | do not agree with him entire
ly his traducers cannot possibly
weaken his argument by misQuoting
what he says. Severance draws you
to him with a silken cord; he leads
you as easily as a toboggan slides over
the snow and you are delighted. You
know the man Is sincere and your
thoughts are elevated. You feel
more kindly toward your fellow man
and a greater dependence upon your
Heavenly Father after the sermon
Is finished. 1t is a treat to listen
to Rev. Severance. BOtkin irri-
tates you; what he says Is not
exactly what you desire to hear. The
big preacher is a piledriver; he may
not convince but he starts the wheels
Of your think machinery 10 motion.
Yon may oppose the man but there Is
Q something about him which com.
mands respect and assures you that
he Is sincerely In earnest. There is
an individuality about Rev. Botkin
which you are forced to respect. He
cares a great deal for public opinion,
but he thinks great deal more for
standing up for what he considers
right. Prior to Sunday night | had
thought Rev. Botkin something OF a
demagogue, but now / know that,
whether right or wrong, he is honest.
These two ministers, differing so
widely In the way they handled the
same question, agree in the one great
idea that humanity must be consid-
cred without reference to pocketbOok
or caste before the conflict bet Xetn
labor and capital can be permanently
settled. An appeal TO the Winchester
may temporarily quell a riot, but 1t
does not mean peace. The belief Is
growing daily that labor can neither
get fair hearing through the news
papers or before congress. There is a
well defined conviction upon the part
of thousands Of American citizens
that the present is an era in our cOun-
try's history when the partisan should
give way to the patriot. The general
public become disgusted with state
ments tainted with partisan preju.
dice. The simple truth put in the
plainest language Is far more power
ful than lie in polished English.
Organized capital may occupy the
attention OF congress and ill the
columns OF the newspapers, but the
cause Of honest labor has the world
for jury and In good time a just
verdict will be rendered in its favor.
Last Sunday might as | listened to
Rev. Botkin | could scarcely resist the
temptation TO ask him to be fair. To
plead with him to give the other side
show and thereby gain friends for
the cause In which he was so earnest.
l felt like saying, my brother man,
there Is some good on the other side;
you are upon the verge OF greatness;
rise aboIe your prejudice and be a
patriot rather than partisan"
The American Railway union strike
is over but the question at issue is
not settled and the only way in which
you can reach a fair verdict is to
remember that the striker and the
capitalist are your brothers, equal
before the God you worship, and Ger.
tainly worthy OF a patient hearing
before the court OF humanity.
Tom RICHARDSON.
This may be taken as Mr.. Richard
sons personal opinion, modified SC
as not TO offend Mr.. Botkin on the
one hand, and on the other hand SC
ingeniously constructed as TO fit tht
nOn-partisan columns Of the Mail
wh"n in Texas Mr.. Richardson is ;
i, l1tFat.