Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-05-24

= tract from Vice President Fair
banks address today before the =
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 hope
that the two branches OF the denomi-
nation would soon be merged.
The vice president referred to socialism
as a~ntaSonistic to the best interests OF
the people and to our form of govern
ment. being a"leveling down''a not a
"leveling up" No political law. he
said. would ever be devised which ould
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:
=! cannot refrain from expressing
and emphasizing the hope which those
wh" have 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 n
I'm purpose alone. by in organization rs
Well. l give utterance to this wish
Yipon my own responsibility, though 1t
Is shared by many of my brethren.
With me 1t is not a 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 l believe 1t to be certain.
The memorable logic of mutual inter-
ests must lead us to n 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 n com
MOI hymn book. Lines OF latitude do
not afford an insuperable obstacle to
and permanent union. Ancient
difference do not constitute an
in~surmountable objection. The church
inspires Il feeling of %brotherly love. 1t
teaches forgiveness. and IL either
church has erred In the past, 1t has
long since been forgiven in The supreme
chancellory where those who m%isjudge
for want of light are forgiven. Meth
odism Is too broad to be bounded by
sectional lines. 1t is too catholic in its
exalted purpose to be restricted by Inn
its less ample than those Of the re-
public.
while with us the church and state
are separate and hou so continue. the
christian church is nevertheless Il pow
erful agency in he support of Il 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 long survive.
The United States" said De Tocoue-
Vile, must he religious to be free.
Furthermore said he. %"despotism may
govern without religious faith, but liD-
erty cannot.
The socialistic tendency in certain
quarters has not escaped the attention
of the most casual observer of current
events. Its growth cannot be viewed
except with concern, for 1t BODIES no
good TO II country. The church may
we'll concern itself with all those things
which affect the temporal welfare OF
this great people. II may well concern
Itself with those things which menace
the state. which tend to jcopardize the
Institutions which came to us from the
hands OF our fathers. The movement is
yet in its incipient stages and it is well
that lis peinieious influence should be
understood.
Socialism is At war with our most
cherished traditions. 1t Is hostile to
the enlightened principles OF our
growt as "A great people. 1T is a peril
TO our social and industrial develop
mcnt. II would paralyZe individual
initiative. which has been the most po-
,.rt factor in our upbuilding. Here.
?niidst the unsurpassed advantages
which a kind providence has placed at
our hands. the individual counts for
more than anywhere else beneath ths
sun. Here. no matter how humble his
station, he is able to develop his ge-
MUS for accomplishing things. for
subduing the wilderness. for building
great cities. for spanning the conti-
nent with the evidence of his power.
for improving his environment and
making better the home and stronger
the state. But this were endowment
enough. IT has been the tombstone OF
our national development. II has Civ
on us countless communities. happy.
seif-reliant. prosperous. brave and pa
triotic. Socialism seeks to level down
ani not level up. II T., alike at war
With the best interests OF both capital
and !abor.
1T seeks to restrict each in the ex-
cr,ise of lis natural functions. 1t puts
limitations upon each which are con-
trary To American genius and spirit.
In the United 81 tes the laborer OF
today becomes III" capj7 illst of tomor-
row. Such hiss been our experience
from the beginning until now. and II
vii! be the history of tomorrow.
Neither constitutions nor statutes.
though they were framed by men with
the wisdom of Solomon. can esta bltsh
and maintain equality and absolute
justice among men. We must look TO
the persuasive power md influence Of
the Christian church TO bring them to
a complete realization Of their true r.-
~lationship to each other; to their pri-
,rary duty to deal fairly with ONE IN
other: to carry into the v~aricua REL
tons OF life the principles of that h-Is.
AMI splendid code. the golden rule