New-York tribune., 1907-11-14
CLERGY Make PROTEST.
Object to Remoual of Motto from
Gold Coins.

There was a spirited discussion yesterday on the
action Of the government in removing the motto
I'm God We Trust from the new gold coins at the
session Of the Protestant Episcopal Diocesan Con-
vention in the Cathedral Synod House of ST. John
the Divine After several attempts had been made
to lay the matter on the table and postpone the
vote. the motion protesting against the govern
mepts action carried by a large vote. The
resolution was offered by the Rev W. NJ. Gros-
venor. rector OF the Church of the Incarnation.
before the address of Bishop Greer. When II be-
came evident that there going TO be some
trouble motion made to make the consldera-
ton OF this question the order Of tho day after
the address Of Bishop Greer.
Or. Grosvenor's resolution first presented to
the convention read:
Whereas. 1t has been announced that in the coin
% tbr b bc omtte tbe words 'ne nea6 fron
tho foundation of the republic in God We Trust :;
Resolved, That this convention protests against
such change. and declares that the highest in
terest of our country demands the preservation of
milton of God in the life Of the people.
In bringing this resolution before the convention
for the second time in the session Dr. Grosvenor
said Il have been told that this phrase went upon
our coins in the cry and stress of the Civil War
That was a time of contest SO is this To-day
are fighting with all our might against the
powers Of materialsm and riot 1t is no less
battle than it then"
The Rev DIR. Parks of st. Bartholomew's
Church, was opposed TO the convention taking any
action at all the question: because IF il means
anything" he said, 'it is rebuke to the govern
ment. If 1t has already been decided to remove
this motto. it is useless for this convention to take
any action against 1t, because cannot prevent
it
To overcome the objection that the convention
Should not attempt to tell the government what to
do. Everett p Wheeler offered the amendment
that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested
10 restore the motto that has been omitted which
accepted by Dr. Grosvenor. and then the dis
Cussion took religious turn. to whether the
convention should declare that the removal Of the
motto was sign of waning Christian sentiment i'm
the country |Dr Parks thought that the conven-
tion was going out of it's field by discussing the
resolution. We are coming into the plane. he
said ''of some other religious bodies. which are
ready pass a rousiug resolution upon anything
under heaven
George Zabriskie then moved for an indefinite
ostponement of the consideration of the question
and before it was put the convention Dr. Grosve-
nor was on his feet and drew the cheers OF his
hearers when he said. Il used to be conservative.
hut 7 want TO say now that I tired OF the
timidtv that goes with it" DIR. William T. Man
ming in favoring the postpOnement of vote on
he.resolution said it not question of tindity.
hut Of Judgment rs it wise to put all the am
nuniton of the convention into a matter of this
kind?'
Dr. Delaney Townsend rebuked the convention
for making three attempts to dodge the resolution.
Il do not want to see this question lodged" he
said 81 do not think that is worthy of the conven-
tion on a question of this sort" Then the motion
was carried.