Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10
Qbe Qubltc'8 Weapon
Again8t Wron9ooers
Written for The Star by Rev Richard p Williams,
E. Parish and Archdeacon OF Washington

o.
and sterling honesty. those who still be-
lieve in the jewel of a good name, have It
In their power to work reformation among
these high and lofty sinners, which the
church alone cannot accomplish. Unfortu-
nately many in the church do not regard
these sins as more than peccadillos. And
when their opinions are stronger they seem
to fear to speak plainly. And when they
do speak plainly they are often taken to
task by the press, and even the religious
press, for seeming to be personal. But If
we mean to root out the sort of rascality
which has been disgracing some Of our
great corporations we must be personal.
Impersonal condemnation does not reach the
will sit unblanched under a preacher who
condemns sin in the abstract. The most
powerful sermon on the eighth command
ment, If couched in general terms, without
concrete examples, will leave an offender
unsc2.hed.
We cannot expect very much, therefore,
from pulpits. We have a greater weapon
among the laity. II all of these would
make tacit vow to sever all connection
with those who are so brazenly continuing
10 hold social and political and ecclesasti-
cal position in spite of the exposures to
which they have been subjected, l believe
The tone of society would be Immediately
elevated. And when l speak of the laity
| do not contine the term to those who are
Christians, but extend it to all who believe
in God, whether Christian, Hebrew or deist.
If these would forget their religious
differences in their determination to purify
our atmosphere the thing would be accom-
plished. And I must also explain that So
cety means to me not the little set of AFRO
CANT fashion plates to whom we too often
contine the term, but the whole social fab
ric, all who are citizens of the land, all who
are affected by the moral failures of GER
tain leaders OF the day. Let the smart
set for once earn its title and be too smart
to be imposed upon by these ethical, if not
legal, criminals. Let political leaders in
sist upon their retirement from public life.
Let the churches to which they belong in
sist upon their resignation from vestries
stewardships and other positions which
should be occupied only by those who are
free from suspicion. Why should men who
have. to say the least, been guilty of grave
indiscretions and dereliction of sworn duty.
who have used their positions, who have
abused the confidence reposed in them in
order to aid their relatives and reward their
friends who have used trust funds in po-
litical campaigns, who have been closely
connected with bribery, even If not person
ally guilty of it-why should such persons
continue to enjoy the recognition and friend
ship of those who avoid the least faint of
dishonor? If such sinners repent and make
amends, If they acknowledge their wrong
doing and agree to atone for the past, even
then they Should submit to punishment
But as long as they exhibit no sorrow, as
long as they expect honorable men to asso-
ciate with them on the same terms as be-
fore, then it is our duty as citizens, as re-
lgious men and women, as partisans of
civic righteousness, to infict such unques-
tionabie penalties as are in our power
denial of any right TO place or recognition.
1t is unfortunate that the man who occu-
pies high position in what is called society,
who is beyond the reach of want, is able to
escape the penalties of the law, which, I'M
poor and the ignorant condemning them
mercilessy to punishment which will only
make them permanent criminals. Education
and opportunity should be made to bear
heavier responsibility than poverty and ig-
norance. Why send a starving man or
woman to jail for stealing a loaf of bread
or few pieces of coal and meet with
undimnished pleasure in social intercourse
those who have misused funds saved for
widows and orphans. who have bribed leg
isiatures, who have perjured themselves in
public utterances? Is not this to strain out
a gnat and swallow camel?"
The conclusion is that our remedy lies
with public opinion. Public opinion is but
courts fail evil may be corrected in no other
way. Preaching helps to educate public
opinion If it is the right sort 1t does not
reach the offender. who will sneeringly &C
cuse the preacher of preaching for hire.
And so men and women who love the thing
which Is right and hate the thing which is
evil, will you have the courage TO use the
weapon in your possession and bring these
notorious offenders against society to Jus
tice?