The Washington herald., 1915-03-12
Moral Issues in Politics.

\ good many fairly we'll informed people, Dis
trict Commissioner BrowElow among them, desire
the churches to become more active in politics, and
to give moral issues more prominence in national
political campaigns. Even leaving out the question
,oi revenues, which Is paramount experiences with
church activity in politics and the introduction OF
moral issues have not been encouraging. The
Know n othng party took a strong hold the
churches and introduced the most embarrassing
kind of church antagonisms into national politics,
iarraying church against church. instead OF uniting
them to work ior the moral uplift OF the people.
We have 4 more recent illustration OF the
embarrassment OF moral issues in national politics.
James G.. Blaine was defeated for President in
1884 by the introduction OF moral issues into the
campaign M Blaine the most popular as
we'll as the most brilliant leader the Republican
party had had in many years. He had made a brill
liant record as Speaker OF the House. and as Sec
Iretarv OF State His reputation was international
and he stood among the foremost statesmen OF the
world. His nomination assured before the
Republican National Convention met and when il
was confirmed by tho convention. the great body
OF Republicans OF all factions were satisfied and
there were many Democrats who admired and
show cd a disposition to support him. But the
convention adjourned voice OF dissent sound
Cd by a few men who had been delegates. Their
Mr.. Blaine, private Lie and public record were
a>>ailcd and the grave not spared to find food
Tor scandal The moral issue then introduced into
a great national political campaign produced the
most scandalou, misrepresentation OF mems private
and public lives have ever known III this coun-
! try. No small talk malicious gossip was too
insignificant and rnprntablc to be circulated
broadcast among the people
The moral issues clothed in so much inmo-
ralrty. could not live their own vitality, the
support "i those vino pretended to believe in them.
The MugwumIp party and the Prohibition party
became tho foster children OF the Democratic
PARTY. drawing their sustcnancc for a campaign
Of libel and scandal from the treasury OF the
democratic National Committee. They revived
>cCtariam prCJudiccs in the name of morality, and
prohibition advanced in close Republican
States hut ignored as political issue in Demo-
cratic States. Both agitations Democratic
assets, to reduce Republican majortics in New
y ork, Ohio. Indiana and other close States
As a last and crowning effort the laundering,
or slIrcwd Burchard became the speaker for a
large delegation OF Protestant minister5 who called
upon Mr.. Blaine TO assure him of their confidence
and support and Burchard sounded the death knell
to Blainc's hopes with his ALTERATION Rum,
Ronanism and Rebellion" 1t was the dagger of
Brutus to the Caeser OF. American politics, and few
we'll informed students OF political history now
believe that it mere laundering utterance.
1t bore all the marks of the shrewd manipulation
OF Senator Barnum, who, as chairman of the DEM
ocratic National Committee had shown himself a
master OF political cunning. He knew how to cul-
tvatc the moral issues raised against Mr.. Blaine,
and he knew how 10 annex and give financial sup
port to the fanatics who preached isms to divert
tie attention OF good but innocent people from
the real issue, protection to American industry.
and defeat it. Senator Barnum knew the vanity
as well as the fanaticism of Burchard and how
to utilize his presence with the delegation OF
ministers who made that call on Blaine. Rum,
Romansm and Rebellion was carried into the
churches to deceive and prejudice though it
had been uttered by Mr.. Blaine instead Of being
a political dagger hidden in bunch OF roses pre-
scented to him by professcd admirers and friends.
Blaine was defeated for President by the most
immoral manipulation of moral issues ever known
in American politics, and the injury done to the
moral influences in politics not forgotten for
many years. The generation of 1854 which had