The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-07-16

positive bar to political p-eferment. The
effect OF such teaching would be TO purify
the political arena. Ia would cause the
nominating conventions to scrutinize
with greater care the records Of their
nominees, and to offer for. the suffrage OF
thepeople no man Of pernicious moral In
fuence. But this will never be brought
about so long as Christian men continue
TO cast their votes Unfortunately and
slavishly Tor party nominees without re-
spect to their moral character and iDflu-
ence. Political parties and managers
need to be taught that, IL they would
have the votes OF Christian men, they
must supply clean candidates. / know,
well enough, that the ideal candidate is
rare, that measures are often more i'm
portant than men, that the party tradI-
tions, and principles. and aims are often
deemed OF greater Importance than the
men who represent them. But there is a
point beyond which CONSCIENTIOUS men
can not go in support OF weak or profit
gate candidates, no matter how noble
the platform on which they stand. II a
party is sure that 1t has a platform OF
worthy principles, it is surely worth it's
while to see that they are represented by
worthy men.
4. Christian men must carry their
Christian principles into politics. We are
bound to be, everywhere and in every
thing, Christians first, Christian in busi-
ness, Christian in social life, Christian in
our pleasures, Christian in politics. The
Bible rule is PLAIN and emphatic:
whether We eat or drink or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory Of God" And:
Whatsoever We do in word or deed, do
all in the name OF the Lord Jesus" Do
not these cardinal injunctions apply as
distinctly to our public and political du-
ties as to our social, domestic or business
duties? 1t was Charles Sumner who said:
Politics is the application of morals to
public AFFAIRS" That is a sententious
truth worthy the nations profoundest
study. General Case, in the United
States Congress, said: independent OF
its connection with human destiny here
after, | believe the fate OF republican
government is indissolubly bound up
with the fate OF the Christian religion,
and that people who reject it's only
faith will find themselves the slaves OF
their own evil passions and of arbitrary
power" These are most sagacious and
weighty words, fit to be written in sun
beams across the broad scroll OF the
heavens. 1t is profoundly true that no
nation can long survive Goddess poll
tics, II you will examine our history
with any attention. you will find that all
the confusion and disorder and trouble
in our national, civic. or economic affairs.
mark precisely the degree in which we
have eliminated God from our govern
ment. No infidel nation is competent to
maintain free and representative gov
ernment. 1t needs the idea OF God, and
moral accountability, and an affection
for Righteousness to conserve republican
institutions. Immensely more important
to the perpetuity and welfare OF this ma
ton than great and magnetic leaders;
than the limitless productive capacities
OF our mines, farms and factories; than
invincible armies, and invulnerable fort
ressee, and irresistable navies. are faith
in God, and controlling love OF the d.
vine principles OF liberty, justice, integrity
and uprightness. These are our most
essential safeguards. This nation is very
secure against any assault from without.
She is perfectly capable OF defending her
self against any force or probable combi-
nation OF forces from without, but she
can and may destroy herself. She may
perish OF her own corruptions. The SUI
preme care OF the Christian patriot, there
fore, must be to plant and nourish and
confirm in the hearts OF the people the
love OF all righteousness and the hatred
Of all corruption. BE wise now there
fore, o ye kings, be instructed, We Judges
OF the earth. Serve the Lord with fear.
and rejoice before Him trembling. Kiss
the Son, lest He be angry, and We perish
from the way when His wrath is kinded
but little. Blessed are all they that
put their trust in Him." = While cons
cious that my motive and words may be
misunderstood and misrepresented, am
still constrained to tender a word OF
council to my fellow citizens as to their
duty touching the chief issue OF the pend
ing campaign. That issue, in it's nature
is one calling for more patient and
thorough study, more critical investiga-
ton in order to a correct judgment
than any yet presented to the American
people. 1 do not presume to advise as to
which side OF this issue should receive
your vote. Even il it were not a fragrant
violation OF pulpit propriety, am
not prepared to advise upon that SUBJ
lect. While have read, with my best
attention, believe, nearly all the most |
important utterances OF our most expert |
minds on the subject, l have not yet |
been able to reach a clear and satisfac-
tory judgment. II we're required to cast |
my ballot tomorrow, / should scarcely
dare to do it. The one clear result to |
my mind, OF my studies thus far In that |
this lie an issue OF stupendous. of almost |
infinite import. II the doctrine OF single
gold standard be true, and the doctrine