Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-09-12
INSIDE HISTORY OF
GEN. WM. BOOTH
How New York Clergymen
Forced Him To Withhold At
tack On His Own Son.

tack On His Own Son.
The late Gen. William Booth. found
er OF the Salvation Army. one Of the
greatest men whom the Anglo Saxon
type has produced, had two weaknesses
in his character which exerted pri-
mary and vital influence on army work
In the United States. These weak
nesses caused at least three startling
and striking results to army enterprises
here. The weaknesses were hate that
once aroused died hard IL 1t died Mt all.
and an inability to let go power after
he had felt the Joy OF exercising 1t.
Tn results OF these weaknesses, as
estimate held OF him here than in
England because OF his bitterness OF
speech concerning his SON.; the exts-
tence Of the Volunteers OF America.
one OF the greatest organization OF It's
kind in any country: and the killing OF
an American Church Army that would,
but for the late General Booths in
direct influence, now exist in the Epis-
copal church.
Hostile TO Son.
After the quarrel between Gen. Will
lam Booth and his son, Gen. Balling-
ton Booth. the father came to America
and upon his arrival v to reporters
of the New York newspapers as bit
ter words as any man could put into
All interview concerning any other
man. Not only did he give out the In
terview, but he spent money and used
to secure Its ~publicantion widely. 1t
related solely to Gen. Darlington
Booth. and 1t was so unfatherly, SO
unchristian. so devilish. that 1t shocked
America. Indirectly, 1t killed the Epis-
copal church's attempt. then just be
~ tn N0o1y Sn vrorr&r0 tho HNnOvf0h
Church Army, still existent and still
doing a great work. But for that in
terview 1t is probable there would now
be an American Church Army.
Forced to Back Down.
A few years later Gen. William
Booth came to America a second time.
There met him in lower New York
bay. before he landed from his ship
n before the reporters had chance
to see him, a company Of three we'll
known New York clergy and laymen.
This company hoped that, some years
entertain kindlier feelings Oward his
son, then and now the head OF the
prosperous volunteers. However. the
three men we're prepared for emergen-
cies. General Booth greeted them as old
friends. which they were. and was most
mentioned the subject OF Ballingt ton
and the fathers treatment OF him dur
ing his visit. Instantly the manner of
the head of the Salvation Army
changed.
In the words of one OF the three, ut
tered at the time. the devil remaining
in the old man broke loose" Ties OF
kinship counted for nothing. General
Booth produced an onterivew. pre-
pared in advance. and gave 1t to the
it was to be handed in duplicate to the
reporters the moment the ship landed
or they came aboard The interview
was not worse than the n of a few
years previous q been because 1t
could not be. But all of the vitriol of
the former statement was there. The
company of men waited not an In
slant. Commanding General Booth to
silence for a moment, the spokesman
told him with words OF authority, that
that statement should never De given
to the newspapers of America, should
never be uttered In n form while
here. They told General Booth that.
considering the ties OF kinship, and
taking account Of the Salvation Army's
p~retensions. the statement IL published
Christ's cause In America, not Army
and Volunteer alone, but to all.
Forced to Submit.
All of the arguments We're, however.
of no avail whatever upon General
Booth. Finally the company played it's
last card. General Booth was told that
If the statement was given out by him,
and that IL he, in his addresses while
In America gave voice to them. or IL.
on returning to England he published
them. these men would see to 1t that
financial support for the Army in
America ceased once and for all. The
old man was whipped. He knew the
power of his visitors over his financial
support. Not g~raciously, not kindly.
not even courteously, was the submits
sion. But the promise was given. q
logged one, n 1t was kept. The IT,
rade against Ballington Booth, the
second one, remains undelivered to
this day. A copy of 1t is said to ba
in existence In this country, but for
ever after General Booth was silent.
That there vas a reconciliation no one
who knew the inside history of the
controversy, and knew General Booth.
ever expected.
The other almost fatal defect in tho
character of this great man now gone
to his reward. was that Of hold On.
General Booth held on to all OF the
power his ability set up. The Saliva
ton Army in America. while great
and useful. has been hampered for
years by the arbitrary and the anti
quated orders OF the general at its
head. The volunteers Of America has
grown as an organization because II
has had a free a and because its
work is needed. That work ia quite
unlike the salvation Army, and con.
soIidattOn is not to be looked for.
4 anl lEn mo MaIooe