Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-05-16
TEXAS FARMERS
Seem AROUSED
Union Opposes Politicians
and Preachers Exchang-
ing Occupations,
OLD TIME RELIGION.
Officials OF Farmers organization
Make Stirring tppea! Ter Re
Iigion and Not Politics iii
The Pulpit.

Fort Worth, Tex, May II. - The
Far mers' union Of Texas has passed
resolutions opposing the agitation OF
the liquor question in the campaign
now on il this state, and asking Tor
constructive legislation. This action
brought down upon them the wrath
of some of the preachers who We're
leading the prohibition forces and
the officials OF the union have re
piled with the following statement:
Farmers Statement.
I'VE want to say a few words to
the pulpit politicians who have at
tackled the position OF the Farmers
union on the liquor question.
1--WE care nothing for the views of
any political preacher as such eX-
pressions do not, in any sens, re
fleet the opinions of the Texas min
istry, but they are making unscrupu-
lOus efforts to destroy the union
and we deem it our duty to defend
cur noble organization against the
attacks of its en- mics, however, UNI
important the source or however
feeble may be the effort.
"At least IS per cent Of the preach
ers OF this state are on the payroll
of the farmers; the farmers Of Texas
have built approximately 10000
churches, contribute to the support
of the religious institutions about S.
600, 600 per annum and the church
census shows that IS of every 100
members Of the various church de
nominations live upon the farm. we
refer with pride to the achievement
of the farmers along the line Of re
ligious progress and moral develop
ment The substantial assistance til;
farmers Of Texas have given the
cause Of religion we think authorize:
the vast body Of agricultural laymel
who constitute the bone and sineW o
the church to speak out. for certain
ly a layman may know as mucl
about political theology as a preach
| er.
Keep the Yellow Peril Of Polite
From the Pulpit.
"What we have to say has no ref
erence to that vast body OF militan
ministers who have consecrated thei
| lives to the uplift Of mankind an,
whose precepts and examples are
beacon light Illuminating the path
way of the human race. We aC
| dress ourselves exclusively to tina
coterie of political clergymen wht
prostitute their high calling by cap
italizing their reputation and b.
lending their occupation to design
! ing politicians, and we appeal to thu
| Texas laymen to use their influence
in preventing the yellow peril O
politics from entering the pulpit il
any OF its DISCUSSES.
"The religious preacher is the mos
capable servant and the politica
( preacher the sorriest master tn
world has ever known. Whereve
power is placed in the hands of thu
latter they Invariably become intol
Grant, bigoted and vicious.
"Civilization has many times beel
compelled to drive incorrisiDl
| preachers back to the pulpit at tn
point Of the bayonet. Many of TIL
| pages of history are wet with bloo(
shed at the hands of political preach
ers who wrote laws on the statut
books that committed arson upol
mankind, manned human beings will
to the tortue rack all because the.
| disagreed with their views. When il
| control of government the pulpi
politicians invariably undertake Il
| perform legislative miracles such a
| casting out witches with the flam
of "a torch, suborning conscience witt
| shackles and enforcing opinions will
| the guillotine.
Plea for a COnsecrated Ministry.
"a preacher who graduates from
the pulpit into politics becomes
menace to good government ant
likewise politician who occupies
/ the pulpit debauches the church ant
becomes a menace to religion. Thes
occupations will not blend. No fire
government can long exist or tn
church perform it's mission to societ
when preachers and politicians tenn
porarily exchange callings and
civilization that will countenanc
such conduct will sooa decay. Sucl
traffic in occupations is as un
| sound in principle as the whit
slave trade is immoral in practice.
"The hand that passes the sacra
! ment should not collect slush fund
for political purposes: The gentl