The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-22


an active part in suppressing political
campaign corruption was strongly urged
in the sermon delivered yesterday morn
ing at the Universalist Church of Our
Father. by the pastor. John Van Schaicls,
jr. Fer the subject of his sermon the
preacher chose The money changers in
our temple of government" illustrating
it from the text: St. Matthew xxi:12:
And Jesus went into the temple of God,
and cast out all them that bought and
sold in the temple, and overthrow the
money changers" He said in part:
From some sources has come serious
criticism of my choice of a topic for this
morning. 1t has been asserted that the
service hour should be devoted to holy
calm, to religious meditation. to culti-
walton of the things of the spirit. There
could be no better statement of my own
views with this qualification: that 1t must
not be holy calm which ignores things
as they are; that 1t must not be mystic
meditation which will unfit for action;
that it must be a cultivation of the things
of the spirit which will send the man out
into the world to fight the battles Of the
be solved, no question to be answered for
mans good which is not sacred; no war
fare to be waged against evil which Is
not holy. To me the Government of the
United States is a religious topic because
through it church people can work to
accomplish that for which they are in
stituted. / comfort myself in the face OF
criticism with the thought that however
unpleasant or disagreeable the theme. it's
the one Jesus took when he attacked the
scribes and the Pharisees; it is one which
Isaiah or Paul would take if they were
living in the world today. However halt
ingly. stumblingly, or imperfectly I shall
follow in their footsteps, at least shall
try to follow.
Object of the Money ChnnEers.
1.-The people of the United States have
faith in their Government. They believe
that under God it has been erected for
noble purpose. They remember the spirit
Of sacrifice in which the foundation stones
we're laid. The blood gladly poured out
in the rearing of its massive columns. the
splendid bxain and Drawn, which have
gone into it during period of 125 years
TO make it what it is today. With all
their souls they believe this labor not to
have been in vain: that God has been
working through the American Govern
ment for purpose. and that he will work
through it until that purpose is fully
realized. They believe that the latest
and the best word on the subject of gov
eminent is the word democracy and
they know from a study of history that
the success OF a democracy depends upon
the accomplishment of the will of the
majority. II these things are SO. with
what hatred and disgust must they regard
fntr hoca xr-6; nt,
feats the will of the majority and binders
the work for which this temple Of Gov
eminent was built. Precisely this is what
the money changers did for the Temple OF
Jerusalem. Precisely, this is what the
money changers the bride givers, and the
bride takers. the lobbyists, heelers, and re-
peaters are attempting today in the tenn
pie of the American Government.
Just now there is wild shrieking by
party managers against the wicked
schemes of the opposition. He is, indeed.
most credulous mortal who believes the
ordinary campaign bulletin, but there are
some things which every man OF ordinary
intelligence and information knows.
Purpose of a Great Campaign Fund.
I'VE know that party managers on both
sides are sending out appeals for funds:
We know that of1iceholders are taxed; that
these taxes sometimes take the form of
requests and sometimes of demands; that
some party leaders appeal to honor and
others lift up the club. But whether it
be by the kid glove leadership of the aris- !
tocrat or the brutal bossism of the slum !
king. the result is the same. A great fund !
is raised with which to corrupt and de- |
grade the American voter, and eternally |
disgrace the American Government.
1T is true that campaigns cost money. |
Thousands of dollars have already been |
spent in legitimate ways. Wildcat spe-
Gals are shl ieking through the country !
with untamed orators declaiming from !
their rear. Masses of documents are |
clogging the mails. Brass throated musi- |
clans with trumpets and horns are max !
ing wild noises b. day and by night The |
skyrocket is kissing, the bass drum is .
beating. the twelve FOUNDERS are firing. ,
proud children are shouting and mamas {
are waving, as papas go marching through
rain and through sun. All these things ,
cost money. Yet is it not well invested? |
See the humor we get out of it. See the ,
true eloquence which occasionally shoots |
out Of the mob Of spellbinders. bap-f
tism in the waters of patriotic oratory |
makes men more unselffsh 1t lifts peo- !
pie out of ruts. In an embryonic way 1t
teaches them to think. Presidential
in economics and political science for a
lass Of seventy million people.
Evil Uses of Money.
''If this were the whole story. this ser
non would never be preached. But you
know. and l know, what 4 considerable
percentage OF the campaign funds is usei
10 hire repeaters and to buy votes d.
rectly and indirectly. Sometimes to pay
men i stated sum for voting a stated
ticket, some lines to purchase liquor AMI
make them intoxicated, sometimes TO hire
hem to take a journey away from home
ID election day. and then again, to tempt
/ poor man with barrel of -four, or a
pair of boots, or suit Of clothes.
Think of the enormity OF this! The
,irthright of an American citizen sold
or a mess of pottage. The right to bind
,r loose. make or unmake, policies for
his Government thrown on the scales
o be weighed out for SO much gold. Shy
ock's pound of flesh shines with the pure
lear light Of honor in comparison.
THE use of money at cur elections ,
ends to defeat the will of the majority:
ends to undermine the strongest support
Il a democratic government. The rule
!. any country by an oligarchy is more
hateful than the rule by a despot. / say
his in no hatred of wealth: say it for
is protection. AS a Senator OF my own
tate declared some years ago at Albany, .
tho moreyed classes have the greatest ,
interest In honest and stable goveTnmo mt. :
hey should be the last to undermine tn, .
ourdations of national virtue
Whip Cords for Bribers. Il
But what is to come from this state
lent OF facts? The remark has been !
his week. Your sermon next Sunday will /
o attacking man OF straw. No matter q