The Detroit times., 1910-11-28
PASTOR WHACKs
PAPER FOR SHEER
Rev. Eugene R. Shipper Replies to
Free Press Sighting Comment on
Union Thanksgiving Service.

Previous TO his sermon In the First
Unitarian church. Sunday, the pas.
tor, the Rev Eugene Rodman Ship
pen, paid his respects to the Free
Press as follows:
In the Detroit Free Press there
appeared, yesterday, long editorial
upon the union Thanksgiving service
In the Detroit Opera house. In It.
self IL would not be worthy Of notice,
but il acquires an extrinsic import
ance as the leading editorial OF d
paper. which Is still read by many
citizens, so that most unwillingly
make a few comments upon it,
Il will not dwell upon the fact that
the editorial was fiippant throughout,
and in no sense a dignifed criticism
or the speakers who took part; that
II showed an entire lack OF apprecia-
ton OF the religious character OF the
meeting, ironically referring to IL as
an amusing and instructive entertain
ment, and that II ignored the truly
remarkable spirit OF fellowship
evinced, nine different denominations
being represented on the platform. |
pass over these things to note a more
serious defect.
The editorial was evidently writ
ten upon hearsay, II we may Judge
from the comment upon Rabbi
Franklin's address, the writer saying
he was unable TO catch the rabbits
conclusions from the meagre report
OF his remarks. Is this worthy of a
great daily which is supposed TO lead
public opinion? do not think it even
reflects public opinion. To criticize
upon the basis OF fragmentary re-
porting savors more of yellow jour
nalism than responsible editorial
writing.
Now there are some misstate
ments in the editorial that require
correction. A minor one IL sup
posed quotation from my address. 1t
makes me refer to democracy won
by the sweat of our brains! That in
deed is a sophomore and egotistical
bit Of rhetoric. AS matter OF fact
spoke OF democracy won by sweat
of brain and blood OF martyrs, using
classic phrase of Carlyle. The
editors advice to pack our brains in
ice is as irrelevant as it is vulgar.
"Moreover-and this is serious-I
did not imply that the bankers and
brokers of Griswold-st. were big
pickpockets. That were the sheeresl
demagogery, the demagogery of the
press, not OF the speaker. | urged
that big pickpockets, financial frauds,
the predatory interests, as well as
petty pickpockets, be kept out OF
Wall-st. and Griswold-st., mild APP
peal for commercial vigilance which
all responsible bankers will endorse
1t does, not do especial credit to the
editorial writer to frUff that advice'
up to ridicule. Does he want monop.
olistic interests to increase in power?
AS to the tone of the meeting,
which the editorial implies was pes
simistic, ii was on the contrary one
of the most stirring and uplifting
meetings have ever attended.
Though my address was more criti-
cal than the others for / am per
suaded that in Detroit the critical
faculty is not sufficiently exercised,
did not give utterance to single
gloomy prophecy. spoke to the sub
ject, The struggle upward more
than once emphasizing the fact that
the trend is upward, that we had
cause for rejoicing, and closing with
expressions of Thanksgiving that the
victory OF democracy is assured. No,
the essimism was with the gentleman
who gave utterance to irresponsible
comments on a meeting he had not
attended.
One thing stands out very clear
ly. II this editorial represents the
paper in which it appeared it de-
serves the reproach, Ichabod-the
glory is departed journalism of
this character misrepresents the pub
lie, evidently out of touch with the
independent electorate which has re-
Gently expressed itself at the polls.
There is a crying need for preachers
Of righteousness in the editorial sane
tum as we'll as in the pulpit. For
the few journalists who are not par
tisan hirelings, the slaves of adver-
tisers, and moral stand patters,' who
believe in progress and the struggle
upward, let us be thankful. All others
must be fearlessly censured"