The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-18
DIR. THOMPSON AND THE
CHURCH.

If DR.. Thompson stood alone in his
crusade on the church, it would be an
occasion for sadness to see any man or
education and standing trying to uproot
the faith of the people. 1t is his position
as the head of the Alliance and leader OF
the Populist party, however, that makes
his expression dangerous. AS an IN
dividual, he has done wicked thing.
As a leader of his fellows, his sin be-
comes crime against society. We say
this without an partisan feeling, but as
a believer in the organized church as the
only agency in the world that is preach
ing and practicing, often imperfectly'
the doctrines of Christ. We should con-
denim such an utterance from any man,
Democrat, Populist or Republican.
Having destroyed the faith OF their
followers in all the public men, begin
ming with detraction of Vance, and haV-
ing taught that all public men, except
themselves, are corrupt, and thus be-
cIouded the minds of many good men,
these small fellows have come to be die
tators of the political conscience of their
followers. But one thing stands between
them and their complete debasement of
the moral currency. 1t is the church of
Christ and its ministers. The church
has said that their materialism, their
worship of the dollar, is unworthy, low
and groyelling Its ministers have sought
to interest the people in something
more imperishable than money, and
have refused to bow down before the
golden calf set up for worship. Result:
The new prophets have resolved to crush
the power of the preachers and the in
huence of the church so that their sway
may become universal, both temporal
and spiritual.
We are panied to see that the leading
'Reform" papers have fallen into line
with DR.. Thompson, and endorsed his
incubation of practical infdelity. The
following are some of the utterances:
"Being somewhat acquainted with his
capacity, and knowing his
character as we do, we have no hesitancy
in saying that DR.. Thompson knew he
was speaking the truth when he gave ex-
preston to the paragraph above. eau
casian.
''It was our privilege to be at Cary.
We heard Dr. Thompson give expression |
to the above. We admit that at first it |
did sound rather harsh. We thought |
that perhaps he ought not to have said |
it. But a moments reflection convinced |
us that he did right. For the truth must |
be told, let it hurt whom 1t may. y
Hickory Mercury.
"Some of the editors who are perhaps |
better Democrats than they are chris |
rians have raised an empty howl over
DR.. Thompson's proposition, but not one |
Of them has attempted to deny the pro
position or show by any process OF rea-
soning that it is not true. They simply |
try to appeal to sentiment by saying that |
DR.. Thompson is making an uncalled for /
attack upon the church. We want to say |
that DR.. Thompson's head is level. y
Concord Vestibule.
E'We rise to endorse President Thomp /
sons speech at Cary, and we are salts
fed that every Populist and every mem
Der of the Farmers Alliance in the
county dare the same. Charlotte PEG
ple's Paper.
A few months ago we heard gentle
nan say: "The editors of the reform"
papers will advocate anything their
leaders tell them to favor. They would |
eyen fall down and worship the devil if /
old to do So"
We did not think the truth of this gen.
leman's remark would be demons rated |
10 soon.