Omaha daily bee., 1897-11-01

Dean Fair DiscourSeS Upon the Conn
ing Election.


The chimes of Trinity cathedral, with their
announcement that "He who watcheth over
Israel slumbereth not nor sleeps, summoned
the pseple last night to an address by Dean
Campbell Fair upon the desired standard of
an officeholder. The dean spoke especially
regarding the election of tomorrow and de-
scribed to his parishioners the qualities for
which they should search in the candidates
for public trust. Although it has not been
the custom to discuss so-caled "p0pular"
topics in Trinity cathedral, Dean Fair seems
to have no fear that his pulpit will become
secularized in speaking OF issues which will
have, in their results, lasting effects upon
the community.
The verses more especially in line with the
deans subject were from Acts vi;3, Look
ye out men OF honest report full of the
Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may ap-
point over this buslness;' and also He that
ruleth over men must be just ruling in the
fear OF God" from II Samuel, XXiii:2
In his opening remarks Dean Fair expressed
the belief that every true Christian must be
a good citizen as oil who give their attcn-
ton to religious duties must find with them
political duties. 'In considering for whom
| am to vote on Tuesday" said the speaker,
lit seems to me that the favored candidate
should possess above all, honesty; and his
proof of it should be gathered not from the
organ of his political opponents nor from
the lips of his business friends. The question
should rather be directed as to his reputation
for probity and uprightness in the circle of
his daily acquaintance among those who
have been his associates in private life.
Another requirement in my opinion,
should be capability. A man may have a
heart both good and pure when it will not
follow that his mind is filed with the wis
dom mentioned as a scrptura! requisite. |
will rejoice when our state Offices are placed
on such basis that a man must win by
virtue of his merit, of his peculiar fitness
for the position. Some time | believe, a
system of civil service will be so applied
that worth will be honored and the public
affairs will be in the charge of men trained
for their proper administration.
"A man who yields to drunkenness or pas
sion should also be barred from Office For
anyone whatever his other qualities who
forgets his own manhood in that way viii!
forget the trust imposed in him by others
THE last and a most important qualifca-
tion of the oficeholder is that he should be
a man Of conviction. l would rather vote
for a man of an opposite political faith II
his heart is in his principles than for a
selfish or weak-minded candidate of my own
party. He must be a man OF conscience,
seeking rather the public good than the fur
therance of his own ends. He must not fear
to interfere with wrongdolng, for it is as
necessary to destroy what is wrong IS to es-
tablish that which Is right. Consider Jo-
seph a man whom God put in Office His
reply to a political temptation, How can 90
this thing and not sin against God?' has be-
come historic. Joshua was another Of Gods
officehoders, a strong and upright leader
I'm word, the ideal politician must be a
man OF bright conscience, strength of hand
and an MISREPRESENTATION OF duty to the
state and people"
AT the conclusion of the sermon there fol-
lowed the usual excellent music OF the
vested choir. Miss Hungate also sang with
depth and sweetness the soprano solo 80,
Lord, Be Merciful," written by Homer Bart
lett sN