The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-10-24
PITIFUL POLITICS.
Exposed by Mr.. Kynett. one of the
Ablest Men in the M. E. Church.

/ The HANNA forces are HdiU W MANI
capital amongst Methodists by resorting TO
the publication of the following article, the
same being used by campaign orators to "hold
the Methodist vote y
''The Methodists have about 81 ,0OO,OOO
which is used for church extension
throughout the country, under the dlree-
ton of Rev. Dr. A. J. Kynett, of Phila-
delphia This money is loaned on mort
cages ON church edifces. throughout the
country, at a low rate of interest: Much
of this money is loaned in the West, and
the struggling new churches have,
throughout the hard times which have
followed the agitation for free silver, IN
many instances been unable TO meet
their mortgage obligations. The result
has been that the work of Church extern
ton has been greatly hindered, and the
mission fund will have to remain idle to
tide the new churches over this distress
ing period. The churchmen have not
been at loss to place the blame Tor this
condition of things where it belongs, on
,ha frae silver agitators. Of
course, the proposition to pay one hun
dred-ce debts with fifty-three cent dol.
lars is a moral question which might well
arouse the religious element of the ma
ton in opposition.
Mr.. A. j. Kynett, who, with others, has
charge of the Church Extension fund, has the
following to say in the last issue OF Christi
anity in Earnest" the official organ Of the
association, touching upon the above article:
Those in charge of the other church funds
can answer for themselves, or allow the state
ment to pass unchallenged. On questions of
fact. as related to Methodist Church Exten-
sion, speak officially. In matters ofopinion.
OH which persons composing the management
NAV differ, | speak only for myself.
.iOn questions of fact | have to say that our
treasurers reports for years past indicate no
great change in the condition of churches
borrowing, until within the last four years,
and, with the exception of that period, the
difficulty alluded to has been OF gradual
growth. There is no greater acuteness OF the
trouble perceptible as Il result of free silver
agitation The interest received on loans
was greater in 1895 than in 1894 and the same
is true of the amount of loans returned, and
the present indications render it probable that
the receipts of loans returned and of interest
during 1896 will be about equal to those OF
1895. and in excess of those of 1894. lind,
in the facts shown by the Treasurers report,
absolutely no justification for the statement
that the blame for this condition OF things be-
longs with the free silver agitators.
NOW, as to questions of opinion, speak
solely for myself The difficulty with our
Methodist churches, including those indebted
TO ms for loans. that has resulted in the serious
embarrassment of Missionary, Church Exten-
sion and other benevolent work, arises out OF
the great reduction that has taken place
within the last twenty years IN the value OF
farm lands, and farm products and the
paralysis of manufacturing and mining indus
tries throughout the country. Churches in
debted to our loan fund are chiefly in farming,
4 III and
of course, suffer in their ability to pay debts
or make benevolent contributions. Whatever
NAV have been the cause of this great reduc-
ton it has been co-incident with the disuse OF
silver and the establishment of a single gold
standard This general condition Is, at the
same time, the cause of our embarrassments,
and of the free silver agitation. II is an out
rageous and cruel wrong to accuse directly, or
by implication, the great body of the people
thus embarrassed and seeking relief, with
dishonesty, or with disposition to repudiate
any obligation, personal, corporate, or OF the
state or nation. To demand payment OF old
obligations in money of a new and higher
standard of value is worse than Shylock for 1t
is not so nominated in the bond: Ihese
debts are all payable in 'coIN' or in lawful
money of the United States, and the creditor
has no right to demand payment in gold.
''When, in 1898, we were constrained to
borrow $50. 900 to lend TO distressed churches,
five out of six of the money lending corpora
tons to which we first applied wanted obliga-
tions payable in gold coin. We simply an
swered, Gentlemen Lawful money of the
United States is good enough for us, and
ought to be for you. We will give no gold
coin obligations Such we have never asked
and never will TO coin money and regulate
its value, is the constitutional right of the
American people, by them vested in congress,
and should not be invaded by private con-
tracts, or otherwise.
HOn questions of policy, or the best posi-
bic relief from existing conditions, we think
and let think. We make no partisan plea.
Our plea is for charity, thoroughness, honesty
and courage. Neither partisan clamor, nor
abusive epithet, nor self assumed and self as
serted honesty, soundness, or anything of the
kind, should weigh feather with intelligent
and patriotic American citizens. The parti-
san slogan sound money, honest dollars is
bald begging of the question and an ohense
to millions of men as honest as the sun ever
shone on. The intensity of factional aud par
tisan spirit is truly revelation of the magni-
tude of the issue and of the interests involved.
Honest money must mediate impartially be-
tween debtor and creditor. The terms and
history of the promise to pay must have due
TeCOHIlllOu. Ii tLc ditCi luC iOidtioh
is established, acquires control of gold bullion
he has no right to ask that coinage be limited
to gold. If the debtor acquires control of
silver he has no right to demand freer coinage
of silver than existed when his debt was in
cured The law of immutable righteousness,
therefore, requires that the government, under
which the relation of debtor and creditor ex-
lists, shall coin money and regulate its value
Money so coined and regulated, whether gold
or silver or both, is sound and honest
money and neither debtor nor creditor can
justly complain of law which makes it legal
tender for debts.
$50 far as the administration of our Church
Extension work is concerned we shall do our
best, under the unavoidable difficulties, and
will give those indebted to our loan fund the
best possible opportunity to meet their obliga-
tons. We will most gladly receive in full
payment of principal and interest the so-called
'FIFTY-THREE CENT DOLLARS or any other