The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-20
CHURCH AND GOVERNOR
Position of Methodist Church
Toward Morrill,
Is Practically Summed Up BY
Elder J. E. Brant,
Tn a TetteT 4o a Fort Scott PaDar-
In a Letter to a Fort Scott Paper
The Methodist Church is OPP
posed to Morrill,

The following letter by Presiding FL
der J. E. Brant of FIT. Scott really
sums up where nearly all ATethodists
stand in relation to the candidacy of
Gov. NORTH for the governorship.
Politicians may meet, conventions may
Lndorse, but the sentiment expressed
by Presiding Elder Brant is almost
universal in his church. It is plain to
be seen that Methodist votes are not
going willingly to Governor Morrill, even
should he be nominated.
The letter below appears in the Fort
Scott Tribune:
Shall I attend the primaries? Am
tempted not to go. Am opposed to the
nomination of some who are seeking
Endorsement. But how am I to be
consistent unless I try to prevent their
nomination? To stay away from the
primaries and then complain because
my men are not selected is to put my
self on record as a kicker It is hard
to kick against the goads. And this
gives me d text for my preachment.
Because l am a preacher am to prac-
tice what I preach
Too many citizen EliiahS hide in
caves about election time. But the
still small voice of conscience calls to
duty at the primaries and the polls.
And the preacher and the hearer must
heed the voice
To neglect to register or to vote is
unpatriOtic, and I must be a patriot
But some say the church must keep
out of politics. Yes, out of mere partf-
san politics,-but in politics as they
relate to the primary principles of gov
ernment the church must cry aloud
and spare not. As to good men for Of
fee the church must ever stand. Not
men of my dOxy or of your doXy, but
mon of conscience who viii observe
their official oaths. If they are faith
less, put them out of Office as men in
business do their faithIess clerks. Be
gin in the primaries But some say the
church seems to dictate. and if the
preacher mixes in politics he loses the
dignity of his office. To be intimidated
by such a statement is to put myself
where my dignity brings me down to
the level of a moral coward and so to
lose self respect and the respect of
others.
Some one wired the Kansas City
Times that the first shot of the battle
of the Methodist church against Gov.
Morrill, was sounded yesterday. Rev.
J. E. Brant, presiding elder of a dozen
or more counties, issued circular let
tiers to his Iaynaen requesting their sup
port to defeat Mr. Morr1lis nontna-
ton"
Wen, this correspondent is long in
imagination and short in his facts
In the first place 1 do not assume to
speak for the Methodist church. I ex-
erciSed my right as a citizen to write
some circular letters to my friends in
side and outside the church in Bourbon
county Not in a dozen counties. for I
only have about six counties in my dis
trict. SO much for that.
Shall 1 stay away from the primaries
and keep silent because some enterpris-
ing newspaper man prints me in false
light? Rather think I VIII keep on
taking my religion into politics and
seeking to advance right principles and
good men. keeping a good conscience
before God and men.
It is a lanentable fact that too
many otherwise good citizens avoid
politics because of the friction and
contentious in the Gaseous and at the
polls. Herein is the secret of the cor
ruption that is creeping into the gov
eminent of our cities.
Oh. for a Roosevelt as governor Of
our state and his impress would be felt
by every executive officer down to
constable Lawlessness is abroad IN
the land and it IS high time preachers
and every body else come out of their
caves.
We want an aggressive Elijah to
summon the Iaw-Ioving tens of thou
sands in Kansas to their duty at the
polls and everywhere.
T r RRANT