The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-05
CARDINAL GIBBONS ON ELECTION.
Declares No One Need Feel Alarmed
Over the Result.

Baltimore, Nov. cardinal Gibbons
took occasion at high mass to-day to
say few words on the subject of the
coming election in his regular monthly
sermon to his congregation at the Ca
thedral. The cardinal never takes any
! active part in politics. rarely, II ever
casting his ballot, but to those who are
fortunate enough to be in his confidence
he does not hesitate to express him
self freely upon the issues involved in
the present contest. He takes the posi-
ton that there need be no alarm upon
the part of any one over the result Of
the coming elections, and asserts that
there is nothing in the situation to
warrant the belief that the election of
either candidate will, in any wise Sc
riously affect the future welfare and
prosperity of the American republic
In his sermon he said:
On next Tuesday an election will be
held throughout the United States for
the highest office in the gift of the pe0-
pie. There are two candidates for the
presidency, Mr.. Mckinley and Mr..
Bryan. OF course, only one candidate
will be successful. All the efforts of the
other will have been expended in vain.
Immense OUTLAWS of money will have
been squandered and the oratory of
many distinguished speakers will have
wasted it's sweetness on the desert air.
! earnestly hope that the result of the
election Will be so decisive as to leave
no room for doubt, or cavil, or conten-
ton, such as happened when Tilden
and Hayes We're candidates in 1876. Let
us hope also for the honor of our elect
i've system, that in no single polling
district of the land will the verdict of
the majority be defeated by fraud or
bribery, or intimidation, and that the
ballot box, which is the palladium of
our liberties, and the expression of the
popular will, may be everywhere held
sacred and inviolable.
AS there are two candidates in the
field, so there are two great parties in
the Countrywide republican and the
democratic party. The existence of
parties is not only useful but even es-
sential in popular and enlightened
government like ours. Where there are
no parties, or where one party is too
weak and insignificant to present a for
nant party will revel in power, and is
liable to run to excess. But where both
parties are almost equally divided, as is
the case with us, one party will watch
the other, 1t will hold up to public
criticism the condemnation, the short
comings and official misdemeanors of
the ruling power. 1t will compel the
dominant party TO mend it's ways, or it
will seek redress by driving it's leaders
from office in coming election.
No citizen should be drone in the
social hive. No man should be an in
different spectator of the political and
civic events which are occurring around
him. AS we are all equally protected
In our person and property by the
strong arm of the government we
should take a personal, loyal and vital
interest in the nations welfare. The
more intelligent and influential you are
the greater should be your concern in
public affairs For if cultivated and |
v1rtuous men withdraw from all partic
ipations in national or state or munici- |
pal elections the government of the com
will be left in the hands of |
and demagogues.