The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-20

ECONOMICAL CO0ulGlOuS budI JWouby
years ago would not even have been
spoken of within the sacred enclosure.
The Christian Endeavor Societies are
taking up the subject, and good citi-
zenship meetings are now common.
In Portland, Oregon, before its
last municipal election series of
good citizenship meetings were held
in the different churches, and imme-
diately before the election, the minis
tiers all joined their congregations in
one great meeting for the discussion
of the same subject. The effect of
these meetings was plainly observa-
BILE in the increased purity of the cleo
ton itself and in the votes lost to
ring" candidates. Veteran politi-
clans recognized the fact that new
factor in political methods was to be
dealt with. Before this it was only
necessary to satisfy the liquor dealers
and this and that organization which
had the wit to stand together for its
demands. The good people could be
trusted to divide themselves on the
old political lines. Now the politician
stood face to face with a new organi-
cation composed of honest and deter
mined voters which demanded hon.
esty and economy, and was prepared
to so vote as in its judgment would
best enforce it's demands. The power
long stored on the high hills was max
ing itself felt, not SO much in politi-
cal battle as in the destruction of false
standards and in the creation of new
political ideals. When the American
public desires better municipal gov
eminent it will have it. Whenit real
ly demands honesty and economy in
the management of its cities, honest
and economical service will come at
its call It needs only to become it.
self more aggressively honest and eco
nomical, more pure and high in its
political ideals, and the fact shall be
as it desires. Amongst all human Or
ganiz atoms that control the con-
sciences of men the church stands
eminent Its educational and
moral influence is far reaching, its or
ganization is superb. Let the sacred
duty of municipal reform take posses
sion Of the church, thenlet the church.
apply its high standards to the low
and debased views that now control.
our political and municipal affairs.
Let it teach and show to the world
and to its own membership the ne
cessity and the duty Of political and
public activity. for in this way will
the church be reformed in it's prac.
tees and the citizens in. their ideals
of public virtue and public duty.
Important as, the church is in the
affairs of this world it cannot afford
to fall behind in the worlds process
sion. The forum, the press, the col
lege and. the school are, irrespective
of the church, educating men to high
er ideals !; and if once the public be-
comes impressed with the idea that
the expressed churchly ideals are but
idle forms of words to, salEe the con-
sciences of men, withal, in. that day,
the influence of the church is ended.
There is ia America today an in
tense determination to raise the pub
lie service tosa higher plane. 1t has.
shown itself it the long struggle, now
coming to happy conclusion, for the
adoption of civil service reform. 1t is
manifest in numbeEless organizations
for municipal reform, in law and order
leagues. and in other committees, for
reform. In every city there are organi.
cations and individuals engaged, in
the task. 1t is net to be expected that
success WILL be sudden or complete
The foundation of the new order Of
things mast rest on the conscience of
the people and as that conscience is.
sound or unsound must depend the
stability of tho whole reform struc-
sure. 1t is impossible that the public
service, especially in our citiss, should
long remain at it's present low level,
for it is mandestly below the level of
the public demand, but it is equally
impossible that it should be long
maintained above the level Of the
public demand. 1t behooves individ-
uals, it behooves the college, the
school and the church to enlighten
and quicken this public conscience
and this public demand, and it be-
hooves every man to influence to his
utmost every organization to which
he belongs to do its full duty in this
regard.
PORTLAND, Gre.