The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-27
BETTER Be RIGHT
Than PRESIDENT
DIR, Young Calls for Higher
Ideals in Conduct of
Public Affairs.
DEPREcATES MUD-sLINGINe
Pastor OF Centenary Wants
Church to Join Press in
Moral Leadership.
DEPRECATES MUD-sLINGING

r;,s noel OF patriotism In times of
poaVa as we'll Us in war was clearly
brought out by Rev. W. j. Young, u.
L.. III u sermon on tho topic: who VIII
BE tho Next President oil our Nation?
hat Has the Church to DO With IT."
d.iivercd at Centenary Methodist
Church last night. Abiding especially
10 the presidential campaign. but max
ing his remarks apply In part to civic
conditions, Dr. Young urged higher
political stnnderde. which would bring
forward for public positions cendi-
dates capable of filing creditably and
hpnorably the places they seek De-
rrecating the mud -sliaging contest In
Ia which the presidential campaign has
deSenernted. he said in part:
Never before has the church meant
So much to tho real life OF the world
as to-day. We have came moro fully
10 realize what the'Master meant by
saying that The kingdom OF heaven Is
like unto leaven hid in three measures
OF meal. until the whole ia ieavened.
III is to be expected that such ~ mighty
organization. with such tremendous re-
sources, should be great and influ-
entail force for this world. as well ag
Tor tho next. Not the least OF its In
Nuential elements. even for this pres
ent life must be Its relation to the
wcrld TO come.
Inc PcndinE Campaign.
Our great nation is In the throes
OF campaign which looks ultimately
TO the selection OF man to nj our
chief Office. Much that Is being said
ana done nils us all WITH regret Wide
differences OF opinion prevail among
all classes of citizens as 10 who may
best serve his country In that high
position. Politicians were never more
active, never more schemipg. Qucs-
TONS concerning the progress OF the
nation and the Interpretation OF the
fundamental law OF the land are to the
'front.'. Great principles affecting bust
ness and all other life arc involved In
uil that Is being said AID done These
questions and these principles have
their moral and social side. and call
for high moral leadership. have ask
cd myself whether at . time Ike this.
the church and the religion II presents
have not duty TO discharge. II the
newspaper and the economist. recos niz-
cd moldcrs of public sentiment. have
recognized their responsibilities. what
OF That other molder Of public scnti-
ment. the custodian of the oracles OF
ood-the tablca of stone?
Il need scarcely say that It VIII not
be wise 10 advocate the election OF
any man. however exalted hts charac-
Ter may be. although many times in
the past this has been done by min
lister Of unauestioncd character For
the same reason it will not be any
more prudent To discuss theories con-
corning problems wholly secular. Not
a few things. however. may bc done
| 1T ~ good time to insist on the up
pllcatlou OF tho moral law 10 all the
. issues now before us as u people. the
rights and responsibilities OF wealth
the dignity and worth Of the individ-
ual. although the humbest, man; the
recognition OF the International
brotherhood. the unfolding IN the l,fe
OF the world. and especially our part
OF it, of a great purpose which has
been evident in ali the past as now.
We must create n social consc! .ncc.
No form OF selhshncss, however refined
and purified, can permanently s3ttle or
ought permanently TO settle those
things which asitate our land.
Spirit Of Erothcrlfncss.
we may help create Il spirit OF
broth eriincss which shall tend to OBJ
!iterate scctionalism and partisansh!p.
and shall thus bring about safe and
helpful Independence. which shall give
the clear mind for every citizen who
truly desires to serv, his country.
Withal II may be we shall do well
by the same pirit to frown upon i'm
proper personalities. what is popular
~ known as mud Singing. We may
educate tho people to see that there
IS "a higher aim than tho nomination
Of u man merely because II IS thought
ne can he elected. and may bring the
candidates themselves to know that
it is better to b. right and To attend
TO ones own work faithfully than TO
be President or anything else out
wardly noble. We must instill into
the minds OF all the people a con-
ciousnes Of stewardshlp-a slow pro-
cess. ! grant you. but the end for
which we arc here. ana there surely
is n need for the uplIft of all the peo-
pie. so that they snail desire none but
good men as their rulers. and n need
for the creation OF such conditions as
shall bring forward candidates for pub
lie position who can but nil creditably
and honorably the places which they
seek. We need n higher patriotism. 1t
is mtatakcn notion that a man can b,
Il patriot only in time OF war. Tho
times of peace also demand pure love
Of country. love for its higher good.
May we not also impress upon the
minds of all the people that God is
over all, both ruling and overruling?
We are not dependent on any party
or any candidate Our history as a peo-
pie is without parallel In the worlds
progress. Surely we have n right to
sing. Gods in Ills Heaven. All is right
with tho world We should pray more
for our country and for our ruler. Ro-
member tho psalmist was thinking of
a city and OF a nation when he said,
Pray for the peace of Jcrusalem: they
shall prosper that love thee"
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