Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-03
EXPLAINS THE SITUATION.
Nshop Newman. Of the Methodist
Church. Writes.

Newman, who stands high in the
councils Of the Methodist church and
Il everywhere recognized as an able
and honest man, took occasion to i'm
press upon the minds Of the clergy
men under him the Importance OF
preaching public honesty in politics
IS well as private morality. Senator
Stewart Of Nevada. he Of many silver
mines, censured the bishop in an
open letter. The reverend gentleman
replies in the following which was
dated Aug. ID:
DEAR SIR; Your open letter to me
Of Aug. 5 cannot pass without an
answer. am disciple Of the single
gold standard through your teach
ings. were in the Senate together,
YOU as Senator and as Chaplain. In
those happier days you were masnif-
jcent Senate, an eloquent advocate
Of honest money. We were proud OF
you and esteemed you the Lion OF
Nevada" In your better estate you
said in the Senate;
II want the standard god.'
"There have been great many battles
fought against gold, and gold has won every
time. Gold has never compromised. You
say that you have got upa compromise bill
OF the question whether gold shall be respec-
ted. Gold has made the world respect 1t all
the time, The English people once thought
that they could get along without gold for
while, but they had to go back to it,
Gold is recognized as the universal
standard Of value"
"Donot let us attempt to deceive the Amer
lean people; do not let us try to make them
believe by some hocus-pocus Of legislation
that we can give them something Of real
value, that we can give them a measure Of
value that Is better than the universal
standard Of mankind"
II believe that it would be highly injurious
to this country to again infiate the currency
~ need not enlarge upon the evils OF
depleted currency; this country has felt
them too severely to require that ! should
mention them. It matters not what kind OF
deprecated currency you have, 1t neces-
sarily entails many evils"
I'm any country where gold has been treat
ed unkindly, where country has passed
deprecated currency, gold has left the
country"
have taken these, your wise say
ings, from your speeches reported in
the Congressional Record for January,
February, and June Of 1874. They
were brave, manly words uttered in
your better estate, worthy great
statesman, but. 20 Lucifer, son Of
the morning, how art thou fallen
from heaven! How art thou cast
down to the ground which didst
weaken the nations" Yet | do not
despair Of your return to your Fathers
house:
While the lamp of life holds out to burn,
The vIlest sinner may return.
You took umbrage at my utterances
|, to our ministers as reported in the
fSun to induce them to stand for
honest money. Methodist ministers
are the most independent and are
among the most intelligent of our
citizens. They think for themselves
and vote as they please. No bishop
and no conference can control them
in their political creeds and action.
1t is guide for me to know that
they are true patriots and honest in
in their relation to the public credit
as they are loyal to their country.
My remarks which offended you were
these: II shall call their attention
to what believe is the plain duty of
the clergy, and shall use upon them
the Importance of using all the in
huence they possess, in the pulpit and
out, against the danger which
threatens our country" No coercion,
no pitting the church against the
State, but for them to arouse the
nation to duty as they did when
Lincoln called upon them to save the
Union. propose to "urge Them"
just as | would urge you to "flee from
the wrath to come"
Whenever speak or write on poll
tics, ! do so as an American citizen,
and no professional obligation shall
deprive me of that right. You thought
me indiscreet to publish my purpose,
Init never strike in the dark. and
hence my discretion and courage to
say to the clergy publicly that | feel
it my duty to join Republicans and
Democrats and all good citizens to
save our country from this silver
craze.
You say that when you knew me |
was friend of the people and SYM
,xo&b.ooJ ,,.4l A. .,o,oo. Noyo,