The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-19
YOUNG MEN IN POLITICS
SERMON ON THE "RESPONSIBILI-
 TIES OF YOUNG AMERICANS."

Political Career--Great Questions to be
 Decided, Great Opportunities Offered.
 At the Church of the Redeemer last evening the Rev. Dr. Phillips preached an interesting and practical sermon for young men on "The Responsibilities of Young Americans" He spoke from the text I. Cor, 16;13-"Quit you like men, be strong" He said:
 Wherever there are large opportuni- ties and privileges there are corre- spending obligations and responsibin- ties. We have often had it explained to us what are the peculiar opportuni- ties and privileges offered the thought ful and earnest in this country. We nave been told that there is here an un- paralleled chance for young men, and that this chance was never greater than now These statements are un- doubtedly true. And because they are true they make necessary a candid and manly treatment of the situation, care ful preparation for the tasks awaiting one, conscientious use of the institu- tions and methods he inherits. These last are the tools with which he is to do his work for his age; these tools may need sharpening, repairs, various readjustments, but they are not to be thoughtlessly cast aside until they are proved utterly inadequate to the work in hand. Many young men are politi- cally what their fathers were without question or very much thought. They read their fathers partisan paper; they are familiar with his partisan enthusi- asms, prejudices, friends, and they drift into the ranks by his side without se- rious reflection. This is the natural increase on which party managers place so much stress and which they often mistake for growth. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. A notable instance Is to be seen in the cleavage in the family of one of the vice presidential candidates in this campaign, where the sons are and have been active workers in the party op- posed to their father. In looking at parties the young man ought, first of all, to study for himself, and decide as well as may be, with which lies the brightest hope for the nation, and which offers the broadest and most helpful field of service for men not al- together swayed by personal ambition. In order to do this he must make him. self reasonably familiar with colonial history; he must seek to know what were the real ideas and aims of the founders of the republic; what were the influences that shaped events and tended to produce what exists to-day He must know something of the his of, of the effect of different policies on the development of the nation and the con- dition of the people. He must make careful study of the constitution. There never has been just such another ex- pertinent as ours: there never was @ nation making such professions, an- nouncing such principles, with such composite population and such mar vicious natural resources, with such a system of government interlocked and interdependent from bottom to top. Other people vote, but there is no bal lot that holds such significance as the one in the hand of an American citi- zen. That ballot, and every act of cit izenship means something more than partisan action or a, desire to see cer- tain men elected to office. It means the mans conscience and best judg- 1nent on all the issues involved, his honest opinion of what, on the whole, is best for the nation. It is a great thing to be young man in this land to-day; so great that some of us al- most feel we were born too early. The problems are different and vaster; the interests arc more varied and possibly more urgent.
 What are some of the questions with which the young American must deal? Not how to develop country, but what to do with @ rapidly developing coun- try. and remedy some of the mistakes of haste and selfishness; not how to attract population, but how to handle the most variegated population on the globe. These problems carry with them the questions of emigration, the true basis of suffrage and the maintenance of pure ballot; the reconciliation of the apparently conflicting interests of sections so that the nation may be held together as one, and no section regard another as it's natural enemy; how to suppress demagogues and make the ag- itator's business unprofitable, settle class disputes without rancor or strife, ana COICTOl SC LIldL lllSll ence shall be wholly beneficent; what temperance legislation will be best for the whole people; @ determination of the true relation of economic and finan- cial questions to partisan politics. These are a few of the vast questions which enter into this problem of how to deal with the country the young man of to-day is soon to govern. Wise men in my generation are grappling with these difficulties, but their settle ment is not yet One thing, however, is apparent-principles are being more clearly stated and relations more care fully defined For this much, at least, the future will be indebted to the pres ent generation. At this moment par ticularly general attention is being drawn to this question of the relation of economies to partisan politics, and thoughtful voices, not a few, are de- manding that a commission of patriot ic men from all parties shall be en- trusted with the duty of formulating comprehensive financial policy, so that this whole problem may be taken out of political discussion. I believe this will come, and a financial system will yet be inaugurated which will secure stable conditions, so that business can lay it's plans for the future with the assurance that they cannot be over thrown and panic precipitated by the