The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-09-19

! r1ire of your lnlqulty. You nave
helped to corrupt and impoverish the
community in which you live. You
have entailed bondage on your own
race. The corporation is not respon-
sible; the men who comprise the cor
poration are to blame, 'for no man
liveth unto himself"
The same is true in voting: you
and | are the people who comprise
the party. If our legislature is cor
rupt, you and l have corrupted it. Ii
our fellowmen are in bondage, you
| and ! have made them slaves and
bordservants. If our civilization is
destroyed, you and are the destroy
ers, for if one member of the same
body suffers, all must suffer. Year
after year we go to the polls and cast
our ballot. Why do we cast the bal
lot9 Do we hope that by it we may
be instrumental in building up free,
a sober and a prosperous nation on
American soil? Have we cast our
ballot for the propagation of human
principles that will affect for good
every human being in heaven and on
earths
You answer" No, I belong to great
and wonderful party; one that is an
Gent and honorable, and my duty
demands that l be loyal to that party
regardless of the issues for which it
may stand" Well, that is a senti
ment which is almost universally ac
cepted, and l claim the honor to diff
fer from the majority. l belong to
no party; the parties belong to me,
and without the individuals there
could be no party. Every free man
should refuse to walk with any or
ganization that does not stand for
principles as broad as the universal
love of God. In other words, every
intelligent citizen should remember
that his ballot affects, for good or for
evil, every human being on this
planet. 1t is intended by our Creator
that no human being shall suffer
alone. Every person who falls into
sin shall draw others with him; we
are joined together by an invisible
tie. If one member of the social
body suffers, all must suffer. This
is one of the dependencies by which
we become interested in each others
moral safety, and this is also an in
centive which summons us to labor
for the rescue of the fallen and the
oppressed.
Take an illustration from life:
Tally Morgan relates the experience
of a young man arragned at the bar
of law to answer to the awful charge
of wife-murder. Just before the SEN
tence of death was pronounced upon
him, the Judge asked him if he had
any reason to offer why sentence of
death should not be pronounced.
The prisoner arose to his feet, and in
a low but distinct voice he said, "Your
Honor, | have word to say. / stand
before this jury, convicted of the will
full murder of my wife. These wit
nesses have truthfully testified to the
fact that l was a drunken loafer and
wretch; that 1 deliberately fired the
shot which killed the wife of my
bosom, whom I had sworn to love
and protect; and while l have no rec
objection of the inhuman deed, l have
no right to complain, nor will con-
denim the verdict of this honest jury;
it was in accord with the evidence.
But may it please the Court, youl
Honor, | wish to say that am not
alone responsible for the murder of
my wife. | have been made a drunk.
ard by law, and were it not for that
law | would not have been a drunk
ard. l would not have murdered my
dear wife and | would not be here to-
day to pay the penalty with my life.
Today, happy home is destroyed;
my children are cast upon the mercy
of a cruel world, and l am commanded
to die by the strong arm of the State.
Many times have l tried to reform
my habits, but the saloon was in my
pathway. 1t was stronger than my
diseased will power; it was more than
match for my inherited appetite. 1
sought the protection of the church
and there l received the communion
cup which contained the same SER
pent that is found in every bar-room
in the land; it was more than my
weak nature could endure. For a
year (he added there was no saloon
in our town. During that year | was
a sober man; my wife and children
were happy; our little home was
paradise and our joy was complete. l
was one of the men (he continued)