Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-07-13
SPEAKS TO THE PARTIES
The Rev. W. NJ. Padcn Draws Ser
mon from the Events of the
Day In Politics

Rev Or. w W. Paden preached on
political platforms last evening In the
First Presbyterian church, taking as
his text, Acts xix; 22: Some therefore
cried one thing and some another; ana
the more part knew not wherefore tney
were come together The speaker
said in part:
our recent national conventions have
been falling over each other in their en-
deaVors to get votes by pledging UNI
limited appropriations TOR Waterways,
swamp or arid land, reclamation, etc,
and yet as late as lS06 man was
elected president on platform when
declared that the Constitution does not
confer upon the general government
the power to commence ana carry on
general system OF internal improve
mont.
Some questions are soon settled
when made definite. All that is needed
is clear cut issue and fair night in
the open. The paramount issue OF 1896
is not even mentioned IN the platform
of the party which forced II. and only
mentioned by the other by way of rem
iniscence. Cleveland was elected Tin
1880 on q platform which began Tho
Democratic party Of the Union, recog-
nizes that, as the nation grows older,
new issues are born of time and prog
ress and old issues PERISH, The tarlr
question seems to be an exception. Both
parties are still trimming away at it.
The only question seems 10 be which
has the biggest and best body of trim
mers. AS for such new Issues as in
terstate commerce, court procedure in
the matter OF injunction, and the new
er phases of the banking question.
neither party is quite satisfied with
what 1t says on these questions Even
the party, one of whose boasted assets
is courage and confidence, Is not quite
satisfied with what it has done Both
parties are in hopeful state of dis
satisfaction.
The number of points on which tie
platforms vartually agree is greater
than the number in which they essen-
TALLY differ. 1t is encouraging to note
the readiness of both the parties T.
commit themselves TO the civil service
policy. Yet some of US can remember
when such a policy was greeted with
a cynical smile by all the practical
politicians, AS for the English system
of accounting for election expenses, the
Democrats have got there first Tho
Republicans will. in spite of impedi-
ments, doubtless report for duty later.
Both platforms are foxy on the tenn
perancc question The Republicans put
in a bid for the liquor vote by leaving
out the customary SPLINTER of sympathy
with wise temperance legislation. They
no longer dare to say that, The Re
publican party cordially sympathlzes
with all wise and well directed efforts
for the promotion of temperance and
morality. On the other hand the Dem
ocratlc platform leaves out its sneakius
and rotten plank about sumptuary leg
islation. 1t no longer dares to say We
oppose sumptuary laws which vex the
citizen and interfere with individual
liberty The next national platforms
will probably both have temperance
planks in them written by Old Mr..
Face both ways Soon thereafter one
or the other of the great parties will
make the liquor qestion its paramount
issue. Then we shall have good square
fighting for something worth while all
along the line.
AS matter of fact both parties are
afraid to appeal to their constituency
on moral issues. This reflects quite as
much on the make up of the old par
Ties as on the make up of their plat
forms. The opinion of the old parties
Is organized and engineered to get
votes. This professional politician is
not at home with moral issues. 1t Is
only as public opinion on moral issues
begins to assert itself and crystalize
In action, that the politicians and plat
form makers begin to sit up and take
notice.
One Of the best ways to force moral
issue is TO elect or refuse to elect can
didates for office, according as they
stand for or refuse to stand for moral
ISSUES. Party candidates may be bet
ter, they may be worse than their party
platforms. They may be enough bet
ter to gain our suffrage in spite OF
their party's platform; they may be
enough worse to lose it in spite OF
their party's platform"