The record-union., 1896-12-20
A WORD FROM A DISPASSIONATE
MAN.

Rev. NJ. C. Briggs, D. D., one of the
venerable and most respected and
learned clergymen of the Pacific Coast,
renowned for his energy as Christian
minister for his profundity, his devout
spirit, and his unfiinching courage, was
for many years a resident of Sacramen-
mics of the Union of States were seeking
to drag California into the NAV of re-
bellion. His was one Of chiefest of the
clarion voices raised in eloquent protest
and rebuke and in preaching such 10y
atty and patriotism as made mems
blood tingle in their veins, and the enc
mics of the indissoluble Union cover
and hide their heads.
Not only was Dr. Briggs pulpit
capacity as a citizen and patriot he was
flashing sword and resistless blade
in the cause of the Union. He probably
did more than any other man of the
cloth by his eloquence and wisdom to
create and maintain a Union sentiment
here. His Americanism has never been
questioned and has always been patriot
ically aggressive; his love for right has
never been challenged his conceptions
put in issue.
In another column to-day we print
letter written by this venerable and dis
tinguished citizen and eloquent clergy
man that proves he has lost with ad
vancing years nothing of the spirit Of
his young manhood: is as broad and
wise an observer as ever, and that his
sense of justice, fair play, decency and
honor is as quick as ever, and has but
full measure of perfection with years.
This gentleman, moved by his concep
ton of what is right, by his love for his
country and his hatred of all manner Of
wrong, uncleanliness and unfairness, has
written lines to the men of California
among whom he has dwelt more or less
close upon a half century that should
be read in every home, ofice and shop
upon the coast.
DR.. Briggs has in a way at once novel,
convincing, impressive and incisive,
taken up the funding bill agitation, and
reviewed it from the standpoint of
citizen standing far above petty things,
unmoved by hatred and envy, and un-
disturbed by the miserable and dis
graceful resorts of contemplate jour
nalism. by vulgar ridicule and gutter
caricature, to prejudice the public mind
and befog the truth.
1t IS the calm but severe, the dignified
but caustic, the rebuking but just word
of dispassionate man to his fellow
men. He rapidly but clearly outlines
some historical facts, that jealousy,
malice and ignorance have in recent
years been obscuring. He considers
propositions of business touching the
tfanScOntlnenIal railways IrOm the
standpoint of one who wants reason to
fortify every act and belief, and justice
to set the pace to all activity.
We refrain from attempting to give
here an outline of the letter Of the rev.
erend gentleman, since to do so would
detract from the effect its reading ought
to have, and besides it would do injus-
tice to the author of a letter that flows
from deep conviction and is impressed
by the stamp of his mature Judgment.
and bears testimony to his calm but un-
faltering love for free institutions, and
his hatred and contempt for sham,
demagogy and all manner of injustice.
PROTECTION FOR CALIFORNIA.
The election of William Mckinley and
Republican Congress was upon dis
tinct protection issue While it is true
that the opposition attempted to ig-