New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-20
Mr.. wcLELLAN As 4 PREACHER

Mr.. Mcclellan attended church fair on Satur-
day evening at which he made some nice re-
marks II was not place 10 talk politics. and
Mr.. Mcclellan is a person of no such moral
earnestness and missionary zeal as Jacob 4.
Riis, who cannot talk TO the good church people
about such a non-political subject as tenement
house reform without telling them plainly what
were the conditions in the tenement houses be
fore Mayor Lows time, and what would be
come Of tenement house reform if Tammany
was put in charge OF the work. Mr.. McCellan's
remarks were highly moral and as detached
from practical affairs as the most sensitive
could desire. Among other things he said:
Magnificent as is the hero who dies for his
country, sim more magnificent is he who is
willing TO strive and struggle and live for the
people II is in time Of peace that a nation can
best actpalize Its possibilities. When society is
at peace. then only can its peaceful heroes serve
the State by giving to Il their best. The hero
ism OF peace lies in respect for authority and
the maintenance Of public law and order. These
principles are founded only on morality and
morality nnds its true support in religion
The value Of a sermon is in the application
thereof. Unless hearers 20 away aroused TO
carry the prea RS teaching into immediate &C
don, to apply 70 the present problems confront
ing them the touchstope Of the moral law, then
his words have been spoken in vain. Unless,
too he himself lives according to his preaching,
his words are Of hstle use. 1t is trife difficult
20 see prophet in the young man who has
never shown any desire 60 strive and struggle"
against political wrong who was content year
after year TO accept favOrs from Croker IN re-
turn for Office, who could see four years of Van
Wyck and Devery and Tim Sullivan of the
gambling syndicate. as Mr. Grout described
him. and Of red lights" and cadets" and
brass checks" and brazcnly announce that he
and they had 10 apologies 10 offer" II Mr..
Mcclellan ever strOge and struggled for the peo-
pie TO protect them from official extortion. to
tave their children from protected vice. he GOV
pred his magnificent action with q stiu more
magnificent appearance of complacency toward
lis political masters. If he ever had an ssnir,.
ton 10 serve the people any better than Croker
Murphy and Tim Sullivan serve them he has
kept il as a secret in his own breast and loveuv
appeared as the champion Of their system In
the early days Of his career his easy prosne-i,,
under the patronage Of evil men was pointed ont
bs one of the unfortunate examples TO youns,
men OF education and Iespectabiiiy Ike himself
Of the worldly advantage of s0ppressing ideals
and consenting 20 serve IN the devils army for
receiverslips references. Offices and business
success. IL Mr.. Mcclellan. in his relations with
the people, has served anybody but himself, the
public has lost track Of il through his associa-
ton with disreputable persons for whom he
lad no apologies to offer"
u his present sermon is anything more than
conventional expression. an attempt 10 say the
proper thing 10 some good people who have
votes, u is condemnation Il these friends and
lis own candidacy. The heroism Of peace lies
IN respect for authority and maintenance OF
public law and order" How does Tin" Sui
hran. Tie fourth member Of the gambling syn
oicate according 20 Mr. Grout, the collector of
~~-G-elan campaign funds from corporations