The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-05-18

JooNASS oio ioAA pay NAAAS -
ltimat foundation of good rela-
tiors. II men do not have within :
them the spirit of love and justice,
ii they do not nave in their breasts =
the spirit of divine law, there Is Ut
tie hope of enduring concord..EN-
= tract from Vice president Fair
banks address today before the
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church south.
Birmingham, Ala, May 16.-Nive
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 ~antagonistic to the best interests of
the people and to our form of govern
ment, 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:
II cannot refrain from expressing
and emphasizing the nope which those
who nave preceded me in this rotherly
mission have venturcd to express. h
two great branches of Methodism in
America may be consolidated into one
mighty church, not in sentiment and
i'm purpose alone, by in organization as
we'll. l give utterance to this wish
Upon my own responsibility, though it
IS shared by many of my brethren.
With me it 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 q~uickened. The trend
,of events seems TO me to lead to ulti-
mate union. The process may be slow
but l believe it 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 aw
of grav1tation, the gravitation of mu-
tual respect. of common faith. We have
the same ecclesiastical policy and sing
the praises of the Master from a COM
mon hymn book. Lines of latitude do
not afford ar 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 he 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
HIVE. ~ Is loo 1tlliollC III llS
exalted purpose to be restricted by linn
its less ample than those of the re-
public.
while With US the church and state
are separate n should so continue. the
Christian church is nevertheless a pow
erful agency in -he support Of a free
state. 1t presided at the birth Of the
republic and has been its 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.
vile, must be religious to be free.
Furthermore" said he, ~"despotism may
govern without religious faith, but llp-
erty cannot.
The socialistic tendency in certain
quarters has not escaped the attention
events. Its growth cannot be viewed
except with concern. for it bodies no
good to our country. The church may
we'll 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 state, Which tend to jeopardize the
institutions which came to us from the
hands of our fathers. The movement is
yet in its %incipient stages and it is we'll
tina it's pernicious influence should be
understood.
Socialism is at war with u most
cherished traditions. 1t is hostile to
the enlightened principles Of our
growth as a great people. 1t is a peril
to our social and industrial Develop
.ment. 1t would paralyze individual
initiative. which has been the most po-
tent factor in our upbui.ding. Here.
amidst the unsurpassed advantages
which a lind providence has Nplacedfat
our hands. the individual cunts for
hnore than anywhere else beneath the
sun. Here. no matter 10Y humble his
station. lac is able to develop his ge-
,subduing the wilderness, for building
great cities. for spanning the CONT
nent With the evidence of his power,
for improving his environment and
making better the home and stronger
the state. But this We're endowment
enough. 1t has been the tombstone Of
our national development. 1t has Civ
on US countless communities, happy,
self-reliant, prosperous, brave and pa
triotic. Socialism seeks to level down
and not level UP. 1t is alike at war
with the best interests of both capital
and labor.
1T seeks to restrict each in the ex-
eroise of it's natural functions. It puts
limitations upon each which are con-
trary to American genius and spirit.
In the United st. les the laborer Of
today becomes the capitalist OF tomor-
row. Such has been our experience
from the beginning until now, and Il
viii! be The history of tomorrow.
Neither constitutions nor statutes
though they We're framed by men with
the wisdom of Solomon, can establish
and maintain equality and absolute
Justice among men. We must look to
the persuasive power and influence Of
the Christian church IN hrj,r fhor, ~
a complete realization Of their true re-
l%ationship to each other. to their prI-
mary duty to deal fairly witty one an
other; to carry into the various re,a-