Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-12-18
BOTKIN'S ANSWER.

Nv attention has just been called to the fol-
lowing. which appeared some time ago in the
Mcpherson Republican:
"Bokin fo,sook tine pulpit for the seething
caldron of politics, first running for governor
on the Prohibition ticket. Forsaking this God
and The morality party for That of the Populst
ra,tv, which catered to everything that was
vile in ordtr TO gain votes and through the
p,ace of that patty he finally landed in con-
rress. Since his term expired, he has been
browsing around on political husks until, like
the prodieal son. he became tired of eating the
refuse of the hogs, and returned to his Fathers
house, been forgiven and furnished pulpit
from which to preach the Gospel of the Son of
Cod"
1t has not been my practice to notice such
malicious attacks as the above, which have
been frequent and bitter in certain Republican
papers in different parts of the state, but now
mink a statement from me is at least due to
my friends,
For thirty-ive years have been member
of the M. E. church, and so far | know,
there has been no suspicion against my moral
and Christian character, for which am CRATE
ful to Him who has so graciously preserved me.
Can the editor of the Republican say as much
for himself or for those he has supported III
politics? For thirtythree years have enjoyed
uubroken membership i'll the ministry, the hist
twelve years in the Ill inois conference and the
last twenty.one years in the Southwest Kansas
conference. While out of the regular pastorate
for few years, have, nevertheless, retained
nv place in the conference, my integrity as
Christian man, and have done good deal OF
service as an evangelist aud as helper OF the
brethren in their Sabbath services. While in
political campaigns almost every Sunday found
me with an invitation to preach in some church,
and very often accepted and preached with
comfort to myself and to the evident edihcation
of the people. may say further that every
wear since eutered politics my brethren have
urged me to reenter the active pas'orate. NV
richest human legacy is the confidence my
brethen have so uniformly reposed in me as
Christian and minister
This little trucking, boss-ridden editor seems
to think of politics as spoils a chance to eat.
This is probably true in his case. To such
craven and servile minds the thought of politics
as the science OF government is wholly foreign.
He thinks of man struggling in minority
party for correct principle as man feeding on
husks, "the refuse OF hogs" while he doubt
less looks upon the man who "loyally'' sup
ports the winning crowd as a wise and forlu-
nate man because he holds seat at the pie
counter. This little editor, whom | have the
good fortune no, to know, is too narrow and
n,olerant to concede honesty and grant the
common right of an American citizen to anyone
who may differ from him in his political opin'
IONS. Thus history repeats itself. Almost
half century ago the bosses and The benehciar-
les of the dominant party showed the same IN
tolerant spirit toward the rising young peoples
marty. named in 1856 the Republican party.
The bosses and benefciaries OF the dominant
r,,,v now, as then, fear the growth OF some
new party may rob them of their places at the
,;e counter. Hence the hatred and the rntoler-
ance. Some day the people will arise enmasse
and sweep this whole corrupt brood from power
and pie
The little editor says "entered the seethng
c,,dxon of politics." Who made American
ro,;tics "seething caldron?" Since 1861
the Republican party has held the presidency
of one branch of congress every year but two,