The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-15
But HE MEANT WELL
The Pastor at Oyster Bay Shows Re.
markable Lack of Discretion
in Yesterdays Sermon. =
The President Terribly Annoyed:
Mckinley Memorial Services
Held in Many Cities.

Oyster Bay, N. Y, Sept. 15.-Rev. DR..
Homer Washburn. rector of Christ Epis-
copal church, in the presence of President
Roosevelt and his family and a congrega-
ton that filled the church to overlooking,
preached a sermon in which he devoted
considerable attention to possibility of
danger coming by and through the un-
guarded use OF great wealth concentrated
In the hands Of a few" and of which hec
also stated that IF ever circumstances
indicated that one was placed providen-
TALLY In the executive chair Of the nation,
then circumstances that attended the pro-
| motion Of Mr.. Roosevelt so Indicated
Inc hrst part of the rector's sermon
was devoted to a eulogy upon the life
and character Of the martyred Mckinley,
and to this President Roosevelt listened
attentively. But when in the second part
Of the sermon Mr.. Washburn took occa-
sion to speak Of the possibility of danger
coming through certain trusts, and also
to laud the president, Mr.. Roosevelt be-
| came FESTIVE. His face -colored and he
plainly showed signs of ,disapproval.
In the latter part Of his discourse the
preacher said:
The country has never been so pros.
porous as on the day when the report Of
pistol startled the nation and numbered
Mr.. Mckinley with our martyred presi-
dents. Who can read history and believe
| lIl1dI IuS COuISe OF events happened by
| chance? It was no accident that Judas
betrayed the great Nazarene to be cruel
fed. ...
| But who can tell why. Mr.. Mckinley
was 80 suddenly taken from the earth
| in the hour apparently of his greatest USE
fitness? Who could fill his place? For
tunately a David was vice-president How
came he to be vice. president? Was it
| by accident? How much planning and
| ho toll 70 10
| that accident? Many said he was too
young to be president, that youth is apt
| to be impulsive, nor stayed to consider
that, already, in middle life, his expert
ence had been wide and varied. He had
! been in office less than a year. How the
love of him is filling the hearts Of the
people. What one serious mistake has
he made? His honesty, his bravery, his
positive convictions, his resolute purpose,
| his frankness, his impartlality, his inde-
| pendence, his kindness Of heart, and his
democratic simplicity command the re-
spect Of every rank. The common people
hear him gladly. i,i1-.'~ :.
P ''Only In one thing do some of his
friends fear he is making a mistake and
| that Is regarding the trusts. He had
better. let them have n free hand. they
say, and work out their ends. But he
has studied trust methods and is con-
WINGED that the god Of all demands that
|
national government Is not this sound
judgment? Is not this conservative
4 proposition? How can one have any
knowledge Of human nature and not see
the possibility Of danger coming by and
through the unguarded use Of great
wealth concentrated in the hands of a
| few? You hear Of good trusts and bad
trusts What does this mean If not that
INSCRIPTIONS men already at the head of
certain trusts are planning methods to
cheat, rob and Cypress? What course will
the generality of business men pursue
when they see wealth within reach OF
l their grasp?e To hold that no danger nav
come through great, accnmulations OF
wealth is to ignore the teachings OF the
Holy Scriptures. From Genesis to Reye-
lation the Bible is filled with precepts and
warnings regarding the power and use OF
wealth. 1t declares that the love Of money
is the root of all kinds Of evil, and it ut
tiers prophecy that all may read who
will: Howl, We rich men, for the woes
that are coming upon YOU Evidently the
II president sees and is convinced Of thes.
possibilities Of danger. There can be nc
backward steps toward former business
methods Shall trusts have their OWL
way or come under control Of the national
government? Shall trust methods be ir
the hands Of the few or the many? There
Is certainly danger ahead. The first utter.
ances of the president favoring govern
mental control have brought upon him
caustic criticism. This shows the AMI.
mus Of the power he Is seeking to control
Meanwhile slowly but surely we are
marching toward a. new national event
Civilization ever progresses, but great re.
formers have generally come through the
perils Of fire and sword.
If circumstances indicated that one
was placed providentially in the executive
chair Of the nation, then the circumstance:
that attended the promotion of Mr. Roose
welt so Indicate. If words mean anything
his motives contemplate the good Of all
From past experiences with him we know
that he will labor toward that end, come
what may. Every consideration calls upor
fair minded mon throughout the country
to hold up his hands," 1t. >-~. .~
When the preacher intimated that {
providential train of circumstances hat
brought Mr.. Roosevelt to the presidential
office, Mr.. Roosevelt's agitation was 81
evident and so painful that those of the
congregation who had been looking to-
wards him turned away their faces.
Once the president was out from unde
f1on 00f Nf -. i