St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-08-07
DR.. cuyler on the Chicago Platform.

DR.. Cuyler on the chicago Platform.
The political conflict in which we are
now engaged is one in which the moral
clements enter so largely that-just as in
the crisis of 1S60-religious people and
the religious press are summoned to an
active part. The old party lines are dis
solving like flax in the flame, for the
issues are of the most vital and funda-
mental character. | am not surprised
that most of the leading religious jour
nails, in all denominations do not hesi-
tate to speak out boldly against the
ruthless attempts to debase both the
nations currency and it's financial honor,
to tamper with it's judiciary, to over
throw its civil service reform, to create
hostility between the rich and the poor,
and to put "popuism" into power. The
utterances of few religious journals
sadden me. One of them in defending
the free coinage of silver admits that it
will drive out gold and thus it becomes
silver recommendation. The editor also
declares that it will give us cheaper
money" That really signifies cheat
money; for it will force it's 50.cent dollar
on every poor minister in his salary, on
every servant girl in her payment from
the savings bank, and every soldier in
the receipt of his pension. All this wide
spread mischief and peril of bankruptcy
in many quarters will inure to the Pc
cuniary profit of the rich slvermine
owners OF the West, and to spectators
in coin everywhere.
But ia. worse than financial disaster is
the menace to sound government. Pop
ulism is Pandora's box of revolutionary
radicalism. The one tremendous indict-
ment against Mr.. Bryan is that he his in
sympathy with populism, and finds
among his warmest supporters such men
as Tillman and Altgeld and their kind.
A Western Presbyterian paper eulogizes
him heartily as Presbyterian church
member, ofclean, irreproachable life and
sincere convictions. No doubt he is; and
so was Stonewall Jackson all this and
more too. Yet Stonewall Jackson
splendid powers were devoted to an
effort to destroy our Union and perpet-
uate chattel slavery. Today thousands
of the best men Of the South, with all
of their intense admiration of General
Jacksous piety and military genius
rejoice that his efforts failed, and that
secession and slavery never trumphed
Mr.. Bryan's private character may bt
unimpeacheable, but he is propoeed foi
the supreme honor of chief magistrate o
this republic. He has planted himself or
a most dangerous platform, Some ofhi:
public utterances are radical and revolu
tionarv. An eminent member of con
gress from this city who was with him il
the house OF representatives says that il
his speeches Mr.. Bryan was rhetorical,
eloquent, but in private conversation h
defended some of the most crude and un
wise doctrines of socialism. He was thel
practically populist, holding to man.
of the most mischievous decisions of tina
revolutionary party. And it is proposed
to place this glib-tongued young socialis
in the lofty chair of government once oc
cupied by Washington, Jefferson, Madi
son, Grant and Abraham Lincoln.
In republican government there cal
be no legitimate divorce between Chris
tian conscience and the solemn duties O
citizenship. God-fearing citizens are t.
be the leaven to preserve the nation from
error, corruption, dishonesties and de
moralization.
If parties rush into wrong courses
then men of clear heads and sound heart.
must brace themselves to resist the dan
gerous current. This ought to be a yea,
for deep, honest thinking, fair discussion
earnest praying and courageous voting
The ballot is a tremendous and sacreC
trust. And the Almighty will never say,
a nation that is unwilling to save itself
= The Evangelist.