The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-11-10
CITIZENSHIP
TEST OF ITS SUPPLEMENTAL PRINCE
 PLESI IN THE ELECTION.

Dangers Besetting the Nations Path-De- crease of Population and Wealth Not to be Deplored-America Must Live Up to High Ideals.
 At the Second Congregational church, Fair Haven, Sunday, Rev. MT, D. M. James, pastor of the church, delivered discourse on the theme National Loyalty to Divine Ideals" It was heard with interest by a large congre- gation. The text was: There was a man that was householder who planted vineyard and set hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it and built tower, and let 1t out to hus- bandmen and went into another coun- try" Matt xxi, 33.
 In concluding, the pastor said;
 The pulpit, in my humble opinion has no right to be turned into a ros trum for the discussion of party issues, however tempting the issues or aggra- vating the circumstances. This is not sad for the purpose of passing judg- ment on other men or on other pulpits, but for the purpose of explaining the silence of this pulpit on the issues in- volved in this most important cam paign. Party issues lie outside of the legitimate scope of pulpit ministra- tions There are sufficient corrupt principles and practices that are liable to secure recognition by even the best 1on1itina1 nriyafinn and sufficient patriotic and righteous principles that should gain recognition by all political organizations; to engage the attention of the average pulpit without plunging into the discussion of questions that form the issues between them
 Some of these fundamental principles have been inperiled in the conflict through which we have just passed, and should now, after the smoke of battle has passed away and the pas- sion for party triumph has subsided, be carefully rendered and clearly un- derstood.
 Citizenship implies fraternity of feeling and of interest and that can never be compromised without jeopar- dizing the stability of republican insti- tutions. Our confidence in the sheer ity, the integrity and the patriotism of men who are opposed to us politically is in great danger of being shaken, and we are tempted to consider great mass es of American citizens as our personal enemies and as the enemies of good government. This may be true of in- dividuals. It may be true of groups of men and women who have no interest |, with American institutions. This can- not be true concerning whole states and vast sections of one common coun- try. For the most part they entertain honest differences of opinion on ques- tions that are debatable. This must be conceded in all fairness and faith in the people as forming national broth erhood must be maintained. The subt- lest and most venomous foe to Ameri- can liberty and progress is the spirit of suspicion and distrust that arises be- tween classes and sections. That this suspicion exists who can deny? That it has received emphasis during this campaign is evident to the blinded par tisan. That there is no ground for it's existence no man can affirm. Unless the forces of commerce, education, law and religion can combine to lessen the breach and to quiet the bitter feelings that exist between millions of Ameri- can people, the time will yet come when this arrangement between fellow citi- zens of free republic will work disas- ters more terrible than have ever yet been experienced on these shores.
 This responsibility of the people, in- Jnjy cords to the divine purpose.
 "The importance of a people lies not in it's numbers, but in the contribution which it makes to the highest good of the world"
 What contribution are we making to the highest good of the world?
 We need not deplore the rapid in- crease in the population of the repub- lie. Many people do not necessarily en- danger the republic A few people are no pledge of safety. There is room on these shores for the oppressed and the persecuted of all lands as well as for those who are excluded by other considerations. As the population in- creases the balance of political and commercial power will be shifted far ther west and south, and it is even TOW high time that we prepare for this in- evitable result. The political suprem- acy of the eastern and middle states can no longer be maintained by an ap- peal to numbers.
 We need not deplore the rapid in- crease of national and individual pros- perity. There is no essential evil in prosperity There is no essential virtue in poverty. The national resources of our country are bound, under fa.vora- ble circumstance, to increase the wealth of the people. The cultivation of habits of thrift and skill is certain to make these resources available for profit. Poverty is no guarantee of cor rect views, sound judgment or exces- sive piety. In itself it is no evidence of a broad charity, a true fraternity or an unselfish patriotism. On the other hand, commercial prosperity does not ensure the presence of these virtues in private and public life. They belong to men, not to things. These virtues are predicated of character and not of commercial values. They are consist ent with poverty and wealth and are Independent of both.
 We need not fear the honest criticism of political measures or of government tai processes. We should not hesitate to consider suggestions that will per- y,,ooI,inorIy of. 1oy WY