Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-03-07
GOV. RICH IN A PULPIT.
Michignn's E1ecutive's Ideas Upon
"Applied Christianity" in Politics.

Michignn's E1ecutive's Ideas Upon
"Applied Christianity" in Politics.
AT the Lansing AIich) Universalist
Church recently, Gov. Rich discussed
applied Christianity" 1t was declared
to be the duty of every good citizen not
only to attend cnucuses and vote at the
polls, but to use his influence in favor
Of good government and the enforce
ment of the laws. A law, in the opinion
Of the Governor, should either be en-
forced or repealed. 1t was also de.
clared to be the duty OF every citizen
to openly and publicly encourage Off
GERS in the discharge Of their official du.
ties, After II citizen has done all in his
power to select proper man for Office,
he Is as much obliged to acqulesce in
| the result whatever 1t may be, as he IL
| to aid in the choice.
As those who possess the most Of this
worlds goods are required to contrib
ute most from their substance so may
they who, by reason Of natural ability
| VI NhNNdNlbl ult UUlt w accomplish
the most good, be required to make the
largest contribution Of effort and influ-
ence. The Governor maintained that
the college professor or president owes
more to society than the man who has
none of the advantage they have en-
joyed,
Gov Rich maintained that any per-
son who in any unfair or improper
manner attempts to influence voters, OF
who, upon any preteXt whatever, makes
| an incorrect canvass Of votes cast ut
an election, is morally as much guilty
Of treason as he who gives aid and COM
fort to the public enemy. There is
something wrong In public sentiment,
he declared, when men who are the per-
sonitlcatlon of honor in any business
transaction will do or permit TO be done
in politics that, which under the very
laws which give them the protection
Of every right they hold dear is n mis-
demeanor, and in many cases felony.
Attention was called to the fact that It
Is difficult to convict anyone of what Is
popularity known as political otfense,
although these oifenscs strike ut ana
undermine the very foundations Of the
Government.
The voter Is sometimes met with the
alternative Of voting for the principles
represented by man personally OBJ
jectlonable, while the opposing candi-
date, although personally unobjectiOnN-
BILE, represents principles antngonistic
to his views. In such cases no rule OF
action can be laid down, but that each
individual must decide what his duty
is for himself. 1t was advocated that
even in campaign only respectful Ian
guage should be used, and when the
election Is determined the successful
candidate is entitled to the loyal sup
port of all good citizens TO speak dis
respectfully Of the President Of the
| United States Is to speak dlsrespectful-
ly of the country and the Government,
and the tendency is to create dlsrespect
for all law.
In conclusion the Governor said that
everything possible should be done to
improve the condition of those who
must labor for their living, They
should be permitted to organize In az
cordance with law, ana If labor organl-
cations demand things impractlcable
or unwse they should be met by fair
argument and convinced that all In
done for them that Is possible. No
man should surrender to any organizlr
ton his rights and obligations as cit
| izen.
The government of some organlza-
tons was declared to be more tyr
nnnical than any people will long sub
nit to- With labor organizations au-
thorlzed by law and given standing
In court, and the elective franchise un-
deflled, man has means In his own
hands for the redress Of injustice on
the part of the Government . rfM n