The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-10-02
DUNKARDs AND SOUND MONEY.

This Religious Sect Has Decided to Vote
for Mckinley.
There is a well-known religious sect
In the United States, called Dunkards,
who partake somewhat of character of
Quakers. They believe in baptism by
immersion, but the, neophyte must be
immersed thrice. They add to the sac
raments of baptism and the eucharist
that of feet washing. They wear
plain, distinctive dress and practice
separation from the world. They take
no oaths, do not go to law with each
other, and, as rule, take no part in
politics. They believe in the doctrine
of non-resistance to evil. They are
a simple-minded, Woodworking, thrift
ty, peaceable and well-disposed body
of people, with whom conscience, en-
lightened by revelation, is the supreme
law of life.
The stronghold of this communion is
at Mount Morris, in the state of IL
linois, where there UNCONVENTIONAL pa
per is published. They are scattered
throughout the country, but the states
in which they have settled in colonies
in the largest numbers are Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois,
Kansas, and West Virginia. The CEN
sus credits them with a membership
of $4,000 in these seven states in 1890.
This has increased in the last five
years, and perhaps it is safe to esti-
mate their number at 100000.
A reporter for the Chicago Evening
hA
ards, and in an interesting letter he
has made the statement on their behalf
that, although they have never before
voted at any presidential election, they
have decided this year to cast their
votes to a man for Mckinley and
sound money. They will do this be-
cause they, regard the political issue
now on trial as a question of morals,
upon which they are bound to take the
side of honesty between man and man.
Free coinage of silver at 16 to / pre-
sents to their unsophisticated and un-
corrupted intelligence the appearance
of Reputation, which Is breach of
the eighth commandment, against
which they are bound to enter their
solemn protest as a testimony against
unrighteousness. They believe that
the payment of debt of 81 with so
cents, under cover of law enacted with
the special purpose of enabling debt
ors to do that very thing, would be
none less than an act of theft, Of
which they would not be guilty them
selves, and which is no less heinous
because sanctioned by the government
Mr.. Samuel Netzley of Batavia, Kane
county, Ills, said to The Post reporter
that in spite of their traditional hab-
its, the Dunkards will undoubtedly
vote at the coming election, and that
their ballots will be, without excep-
ton, for honest money and the Repub.
lican ticket.
He was careful, however, to add
that his brethren would not take pare
in any political discussions among
themselves, their neighbors or their
friends, and that they would go quiet
ly to the polls, deposit their ballots,
and return home.
1.-THE last time l voted" said this
local leader, II cast my vote for
Abraham Lincoln. After l voted
turned about and went directly to my
home This is the custom of our peo-
pie, who avoid discussions of every
kind and discourage the brethren from
in crowds where alterations
and dissentions are likely to take
place."
Their example is commended to all
honest men, irrespective Of party, who
have sufficient moral sensibility to
recognize the ethical nature of the
struggle in which the opponents of
free coinage of silver at false ratio
are now earnestly engaged.
Their newly awakened interest in
the present political situation is un-
questionably one of the remarkable