Evening journal., 1903-05-21
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE

The following public letter appeared in !
the Morning News today:
To the Editor of "The Morning News"
SIR: What ails the Presbyterian |
Church? Apparently a majority OF the |
Presbyterian preachers of this PENN |
sula are opposed to cOndemnirg bri-
berry. AT their re"eit meeting in this
city there were present Doctors of Oi-
vinity ard Learned Doctors Of Laws,
and yet man with a half degree or
no degree at all can fill the arguments
of these strange doctors full OF holes.
For instance, several of the learned
doctors are reported TO have said that
the Presbyterian Church could not mix
state and church-could not interfere
with politics How grotesque and alb
surd this Isl Suppose the Legislature
of this State should pass law privileg-
ing the saloons and theatres TO keep
open on Sundays, and a Presbyterian
should offer a resolution condemning
such a law and the Governor WHO
signed it, would these learned doctors
and others hold w their hands in holy
horror and declare that they could not
condemn the law because it would be
interfering with the state, and that
governor is so holy that when he exer-
cises his prerogative he cannot be
criticised?
Why, the General Assembly of this
very Presbyterian body is preparing to
interfere with the State by passing
resolutions condemning the Mormon
senator from Utah. But, say the doc
tors. this is a moral question. Pray,
what is bribery and corruption? Is it
not "A moral question? Away with such
nonsensical argument! 1t is no argu-
ment at all, and it puts to shame the
fine education institutions from which
these men proceeded.
Let me ask these learned doctors Of
technicalities and subterfuges a ques-
ton or two. Take a young Presbyter-
ian rising into manhood. Perchance he
may take an interest i'm politics. He
gets into the game He falls afoul of
colonels Of corruption and they ad-
vance to him the idea that in Della
ware politics 1t is money that counts,
that a mans vote is his capital, and
that he should vote as he is paid-in
other words. his vote should go for the
highest dollar The young Presbyter-
ion who has studied the five points of
Calvin (ah, beg pardon, they don't
study il much nowadays), would say
, Il have an inner conscience that tells
me 1 should not sell my vote. dom
! think I'll do it,"
But" says the colonel of corruption
this vote selling cannot be wrong II
it were wrong don't you suppose th'
solid Presbytery OF New Castle woulC
condemn it in no uncertain language
Yet. my young friend, this mattel
twice was brought before the Presby'
terry and no condemnation of selling
out and vote traficing was made
What could the young Presbyterian
say? He would have to admit that *
>. far as the Presbyterian Church Off
:. cially is concerned there is no harm n
traficking i'm votes. Think of it, mel
and brethern. Think of the old "bluI
stocking" Presbyterians being put il
such an awful position. o, learned
Doctors OF Laws, Learned Doctors o
g Technicalities, mingle momen
among your average Presbyterian lay
men, hear their words of condemna
I" ton or the5c silence of shame, and yol
:, would find out that you are foOling n
IL one. Relieve this noble church of tn
e stigma of silence when this awful cor
ruption is brought to your notice
Yours. Calvin.
re wilmington May 20, 1908.