The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-24

would strip the state OF all power there
Is another class which demands that
the state shall do all things. This
party Is growing more formidable
every year. In its train you will find
the preacher and the vagabond, the
philosopher and the fool, all Of whom
unite In declaring that society as 1t is
now constituted is u failure. 1t has a
multitude Of political theories. each of
which is specific remedy for some
ailment or other of the body polite. 1t
proposes to bring about q social and
industrial millennium. by the abolition
Of private ownership Of property.
The state. they say, must control all
railroads. telegraph lines, steamships.
mines, mills. etc. BY this means they
claim there will be an equal distribu-
ton of wealth and each member of So
ciety shall enjoy the maximum of COM
fort ard luxury in exchange for the
minimum Of labor. The old notion that
formerly prevailed was that the bless
ings of life were obtained by the prac-
tice of certain simple but difficult vir-
tues. such as industry, thrift, skill.
economy and patience. But we are as
sured on the eminent authority of the
state socialist that under the system
they would inaugurate, these qualities
are not necessary: that everyone shall
partake of the comforts of life With
out exercising the same difficult vir-
tues. or manifesting the same degree
of ability. This alluring programme Is
not likely to commend itself to practi-
cal Americans. however inviting 1t
may appear to political dreamers.
There are. no doubt, social questions to
solve but these questions cannot be
settled off-hand. by ready-made solu-
tions deduced from abstract socialistsc
principles.
HOBBY RIDERS.
In addition to this there is multi
tude of other reformers. each bearing
a hobby that they are anxious to fasten
upon the shoulders of the state. Some
there are who would transform the
government into q vast reformatory for
the purpose of enforcing upon society
their own particular moral or ethical
code In connection with this, | regret
to notice that it has become exceeding
~ fashionable CT late years, to lower the
pulpit to a level with the political plat
form. Christian ministers instead of
instructing their people in the truths
of u holy religion are frequently found
lecturing upon current topics Of mu-
nicipal and national administration, or
advocating the adoption or enforce
ment of civil law. 1t is the glory Of
Christianity that the ideal 1t offers to
mankind is a Righteousness which Is
above the restraint of law. To incu-
cate moral truth into society Is certain
ly the duty Of the church, and for this
work II has received a divine COM
mission. The church and state. how
ever. are two distinct and separate
communities. When the church at
tempts to use the machinery OF the
go
particular principles of morality, 1t Is
stepping entirely beyond its legitimate
sphere. The mission Of the church may
be to the whole world, but its juris-
diction is limited to its own members.
The clergyman who uses his ministerial
Office for political ends Is guilty Of
great breach of trust. He creates and
stimulates the sentiment that the
Christian religion Is mere conformity to
outward rules. The church received
the Holy spirit. with which to conquer
the world, and when 1t depends upon
any other weapon 1t acknowledges that
it has lost that which gained it former
victories. When the church ceases to
lean on God, and asks the state to fight
its battles. 1t confesses to a weakness
which will never gain the submission
or even the respect OF the world.
Then again. there Is the prohibition
ist with his hobby, but there may be
some among us tonight, SO l shall re-
frain from comments.
In a treatise on Morals and Legisla-
ton Bentham discusses the elements of
time and place, in legislation. 1t is just
in neglecting these elements that the
mos: delusive employment of new-fedg-
cd ethical and economical propositions
takes place. I shall now dismiss this
phase Of the subject trusting that the
political cranks Of the nineteenth CEN
tury will be ridiculed into oblivion by
the cynics Of the twentieth
TRUE AMERICANISM,
Let us now turn for moment to the
true American party. A party that
has guided our destinies in the past,