The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-28
A MEMORIAL SUNDAY SERMON.

Tn Sunday before Memorial day Is often
otto topics. This year presents an abund-
ance Of themes. There will be eloquence
touching the duty Of the United States to
take up and bear the white mans burden
in our recently-acquired territory. Ameri-
can valor will be fittingly a~pplauded and
held up as evidence that the spirit Of self
sacrifice pervades the people in seasons Of
peril. Others will see God's hand IN the
events Of the past year, and, with prophetic
vision. foretell the high destiny of this Ma
ton. All this is well, but there are other
duties to be performed and a few evils here
at home which may be effectively assailed.
How many will dwell upon the necessity
of good citizenship and Of civic duties which
every lover of country and institutions must
perform If communities are TO escape the
Generalization which comes Of loose and
dishonest practices in public affairs? There
Is little opportunity for rounded periods or
eloquence of 'far-fiung battle lines in these
is known and respected throughout the
State, in conversation, deplored the preva-
lence of a low code of morals IN the man
agement of the local governments. 1T is
not that men are dishonest ne said, but
many men who are scrupulous in all their
private business relations are lacking in
strict integrity when it comes to a public
trust. / could make a long list of names
Of men who have established 4 reputation
for honesty in private business" he went
on, who have made records SO crooked IN
local offices that If they had done the same
things in transactions Of a private nature,
would be indicted for fraud" The revela-
tons which quite a number of investige-
tons in counties have brought forth force
the conclusion that In not a few counties
officials nave studied IL not conspired to get
as much OF the peoples. money as possible.
When one or two hundred indictments are
presented in a single county against county
Irregularities as almost the prevalent prac-
tice. In one county a number of officers
pleaded guilty and were let off with nomi-
nal fines. In the report Of the trial. Of a
county officer where the evidence was
against him, but the jury was for him, it
one of qualification that he was acquitted.
A suit is now pending in the Supreme Court,
brought by county officers, to set aside,
on a constitutional bubble, the law which
fixes their compensation The Offices with
the present salaries are eagerly sought by
scores Of men, but no sooner are they in
office thar they set about to repeal a salary
law that defines their compensation. in or
der that a system whion has melted avarice
and defrauded the people may be re-estab-
lished in spite of The fac. That party con-
v~entions lave denounced IT. 1t is not that
these men are bad; on the contrary, in their
private relations and business they are
honorable men. 1t is III the place of public
trust that they seek to get money which
the people do not wish them to have. All
of them would shout until hoarse for the
flag. Eloquence about the country's great
ness and the rights of men causes them to
wipe tears from their yes.
A few sermons on his topic would be
most useful; besides, they would attract
attention. They can be preached every Sun
day in the year as a practical gospel Of
righteousness. Memorial day is a day above
all others when, after reading Lincoln's
Gettysburg speech as a text, the practical
orator could make comparisons. or rather
contrasts, between the men who died for a
governments Of the people and those in local
government who fight the people to main
tain a rule for the benefit of those who
hold public positions.