The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-10-16
ARCHBISHOP IRELAND.

pa1Sn. we expect the unusual
and the unexpected does not sur
prise us. For this reason, when
a high churchman like Archbish-
op Ireland enters the present po-
litical arena, we are not aston
ished. In ordinary political strug-
giles, campaign message from
such a source would be deemed
inadvisable and impertinent.
But this is not mere partizan-
ship battle. Party lines mean
nothing now. The issues are
great; the questions to be decided,
stupendious and vital. Patriot
ism, morality, law, order, honor
all are impelled by duty's call
to take part in the fight.
The archbishop says:
'I am not unmindful of the objection
made against the churchman speaking at
any time on matters which have entered
the arena of politics, lest his influence as
teacher of religion seem to be used to
promote the interests of a political party.
I might reply that there are occasions
when political platform means disaster
to the country, when politics are closely
connected with morals or religion, and
that on these occasions the churchman
must be the patriot without allowing a
moments thought to considerations of
the expediency and must take in hand
the moral or religious issue. even if it be
vested in the garments of politics. But
in the present instance, I seek no excu: e
of this kind; speak entirely as the citi-
zen, without warrant from my ecclesias-
teal POSITION
He continues:
'I stand by the platform and the presi-
dental candidate of the republican con-
vention at ST. Louis. 1 am opposed to
the platform and the presidential candi-
date of the democratic convention at Chi
cago The days of the civil war excepted,
at no time did such peril threaten the
country, as that which is involved in the
political campaign of today"
He then discusses the Chicago
platform and in clear, forcible
words condemns it, and adds:
Zone of the chief speakers at the con-
vention of Chicago understood the signi
hcance of the convention and voiced its
spirit: 7 come from state which was
the home of secession said Senator Till
man, of South Carolina. 4 say he con-
tinued, it is sectional issue, and it will
prevail And fitting was it that the speak
er, voicing the spirit of the Chicago con-
ventien, should be the representative of
South Carolina. Thrice now has South
Carolina spoken for secession-when it
passed in 1882 the notification ordinance;
when, in 1861, it fired on Fort Sumpter;
when, i'll 1896, it cries out, "A sectional
issue, and it will prevail
Archbishop Ireland denounces
the attack on the supreme court,
but, he says:
"Worse, to my mind, than all this, is
the spirit of socialism that permeates the
whole movement which has issued from
the convention of Chicago. tbs 'tlie in
ternationap of Europe, now taking body
in Ameaica. Of this, one cannot but be
convinced when the movement is closely
observed, the shibboleths of its adherants
listened to, the discourses of its orators
carefully examined. The war of class
against class is upon us, the war of the
proletariat against the property holder.
No other meaning than this can be given
to the appeals to the common people,
to the laborer,' to the poor and down
trodden,' and to the denunciations
against 'plutocrats' and corporations
and 'meney grabbers' and bankers
"Many adherents of the movement do
not perceive its full meaning, but let them
beware: they are lighting torches, which,
borne in the hands of reckless men, may
light up in the country lurid fires of
commune America, heretofore, has
been free from socialistic hatred and war
fare; it has been a country of opportunl-
ties for all men, and it has given to the
laborer livelihood higher and better
than it afforded him in any other coun-
try of the world. Is all this to be chang
ed? Is social chaos, gloating over ruins,
to be the method of social elevation of
the masses? There may be room in some
things for peaceful amelioration through
well-informed public opinion and or
derly legislation, but class hatred and
angry passion never led to aught but gen.
eral misery and suffering.
"The people of America must today
look warily around, guard against catch
words and misleading war cries, avoid
giving any countenance to socialistic or
tendencies, and know that
the first condition of prosperity to any
a Id all classes of the people is peaceful
c ,mmonwealtli and pure social order.
aThe monetary question is, indeed, a
secondary issue in this campaign. have,
however, my convictions in this matter.
The free and unlimited coinage of silver
dollars at ratio of 16 to by the United
States. independently Of the other grea
sonfmereial nations, iato dollars which