The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-30

should we ask men who can hardly read
tnelf own name and who have neither
property nor character at stake to vote
ana make laws for us? In my Judgment
mat sort of thing is neither patriotism
nor Christianity. 1t is not guarding
sacredly the institutions committed to
our care. Much of our voting is an out
rage on our civilization. Every voter
ought to be an intelligent citizen and
nave the liberty of voting his honest,
conscientious convictions
Religion, my friends, Is not merely
going to heaven. 1t is first of all, the
training of the soul to virtue, to self
command, to spiritual strength and
nobleness. The religious man is one
who thinks right, acts right. votes right.
His character is a mighty force for
righteousness. Christianity is not a
mystic secret. 1t is the science of right
living. 1t is also the science of carry
ing Christian thought into every ave
nue. of life, into business, politics as
well as into church. In this way the
world will be redeemed and in no other
way.
I'VE are engaged in great battle. It
is the battle of ideas. 1t is most import
ant to enlist in this war with all our
hearts and minds that we may rise to
the height of a great victory. If our
land Is to be redeemed from the poison
OF the saloon power, from the gangrene
OF corruption in politics. we must rise
up in the majesty and strength of no.
Bile manhood and womanhood and bring
to bear our best thoughts, our most
earnest efforts in Graduating these
evils from the heart of the nation. In
our late war we saw a nation rising up
in the majesty of it's strength. not for
conquest or military glory, but to free
and elevate the downtrodden and the
oppressed of Cuba. Shall we do less for
our people at home? Shall we shut our
eyes against all light and stop our ears
against all truth and wink at crime in
high and in low places?
Are we aware of the fact that we
are fast becoming a nation of drunk
ards? Do we know that laws against
gambling and other crimes are little
enforced and that, in many instances,
they who violate the laws are protect
ed? Unless we consider and think wise
ly and act judiciously and bravely, un-
less the men and women who love their
country, their liberties, their homes,
and unless there is a revolution in the
sentiment of the press for the political
regeneration of our country, our people,
while boasting of popular sovereignty,
of great wealth and glorious privileges,
will, at the same time, silently under
mine the foundations and bring disas-
ter to the land which they love. a
stitch in time saves nine is the proverb.
We had better take warning. We had
better reconsecrate ourselves anew to
the great work, to the trust committed
to us. The nature of sin is to destroy
1t is a libel on our civilization, on Chris
tan men and women who so vote as to
perpetuate the saloon power, the gam
bling dens, bribery and corruption in
politics. You may call me crank, you
may call be a fanatic, but I know that
I love the country that has honored me
with the right of a citizenship, that has
given me opportunities to make some
thing out of myself and I would not
be worthy of my mission as a minister
of the gospel, much less of citizenship,
did I not raise my voice in this great
conflict.
II simply wish to take my true posi-
ton, and while God gives me health and
strength, while l have any influence.
my voice, my prayers, my votes. will
count on the side of right, on the side
of morality on the side of progress.
For these sentiments 1 will live and for
these / will stand