The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-05-17

= tie hope OF enduring C~OlcOfd'-EH- 2
tract from Vice President Fair
+ banks address today before the
3 general conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal church south.
Birmingham, Ala, May 16.-Vive
president Fairbanks today addressed
the general assembly of the Methodist
Episcopal church, south. He brought
greetings from the Methodist Episcopal
church and expressed the ferVent nope
that the two branches of the denomi-
nation Would soon be merged.
The vice president referred to socialism
as a~ntagonistic to the best interests of
the people and to our form of govern
iment, being a~'leveling down'and not a
'leVeling up" No political law, he
said, would ever be devised which would
bring labor and capital together in
amicable union. the church could per-
form the greater service in this direc-
ton
In part the speaker said:
Il cannot refrain from expressing
and emphasizing the hope which those
who nave preceded me in this brotherly
mission have Ventured to express. The
two great branches of Methodism in
America may be consolidated into one
mighty church. not in sentiment and
lin purpose alone, by in organization as
well. l give utterance to this wish
y'P''' iHS iN'pOAiSioiAiSS ehSHo' ~
IS shared by many of my brethren.
With me it is not q desire born Of this
kindly mission, but is one l have long
cherished: one which time has but
strengthened and which your hearty
welcome has but quickened. The trend
.of events seems to me to lead to ulti-
,mate union. The process may be slow
but | believe 1t to be certain.
The memorable logic of mutual inter
ests must lead us to a common conclu-
sion. Union will come through the
subtle yet powerful influence of the law
of gravitation, the gravitation of mu-
tual respect, of common faith. We have
the same ecclesiastical policy and sing
the praises of the Master from q COM
MOI hymn book. Lines of latitude do
no afford an insuperable obstacle to
ultimate and permanent union. Ancient
difference do not constitute an
insurmountable objection. The church
inspires a feeling of brotherly love. 1t
teaches forgiveness, and if either
church has erred in the past, it has
long since been forgiven in the supreme
chanCellOry where those who misjudge
for want of light are forgiven. Meth
odism is too broad to be bounded by
sectional lines. 1t is too catholic in it's
exalted purpose to be restricted by linn
it's less ample han those of the re-
public.
While with us the church and state
are separate and should so continue. the
Christian church is nevertheless a pow
erful gency in the support of a free
state. 1t presided at the birth of the
republic and has been it's faithful
guardian angel from that hour until
now. 1t inculcates among the great
body of the people that wholesome re-
spect for the rights of men that regard
FOR law and order, without which
the state cannot Ions survive.
t-iIlo ''D,bSt ha rnIjojO,,S tn he free
Furthermore said he, "despOtism may
govern without religious faith, but no.
ertv Canno
The socialistic tendency in certain
quarters has not escaped the attention
OF the most casual observer of current
events. It's growth cannot be viewed
except with concern, for it bodies no
good to our country. The church may
well concern itself with all those things
which affect the temporal welfare Of
this great people. 1t may we'll concern
itself with those things which menace
the stale. which tend to jeopardiZe the
institutions which came to us from the
hands of our fathers. TIL movement is
yet in its incipient stages and it is we'll
that it's pernicious influence should be
understood.
Socialism is at war with our most
cherished traditions. 1t is hostile &c
the enlightened principles of our
growth as Il great people. 1t is a peri
to our social and Industrial develop
ment. 1t would paralyze individual
initiative. which has been the most po-
tent factor in our upbuiiding. Here
amidst the unsurpassed advantages
which n kind providence has placed a
our hands. the individual cunts fol
hnore than anywhere else beneath the
sun. Hero. no matter how humble his
station. lie is able to develop his ge-
MUS for accomplishing things. FOL
subduing the wilderness, for building
great cities, for spanning the CONT
rent with the evidence of his power
for improving his environment ant
making better the home and stronger
the state. But this We're endOwmen
enough. 1t has been the touchStone O
our national development. 1t has Civ.
en- us countless communities, happy
self-reliant, prosperous, brave and pa
triotic. Socialism seeks to level down
and not level up. 1t i3 alike at wa
with the best interests of both capita
and labor.
Tt seeks to restrict each in the ex
ercise of its natural functions. 1t put
limitations upon each which are con
trary to American genius and spirit
In the United Sites the laborer o
today becomes the capitalist of tomor
row. Such has been our eXperienc,
from the beginning until now, and /
will be the history of tomorrow.
Neither constitutions nor statutes
though they We're framed by men witt
the wisdom of Solomon. can establis
and maintain equality and absoiut
justice among men. We must look t
the persuasive power and influence O
the Christian church to bring them I
a complete realization of their trae re
~lationship to each other; to their rrl
mary duty to deal fairly with one an
other; to carry into the various raln
lions Of life the principles IF thGt biz
and splendid code, the gOidCE rule