South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-09

OF the city to expect that association to be the
sole instrument to achieve moral reform. And
invite the newspapers TO direct their efforts
IN securing the cooperation Of all courageous
pastors and churches for the purpose OF better
ing conditions. Let each church and pastor
stand on individual record toward such a
plan Then the public draw its
illusions as to the responsibility of existing
conditions
The Ministerial association will not correct
public evil. II never has II is easy 20 appoint
committee. disagree with that committee
depend that committee shoulder the
whole duty and the rest forget il. Nothing will
result During the last efforts better condi-
tons here all the churches represented in the
association perfunctorily committed TO the
movement But when the test came there
two churches that stood out un1inchingly and
dependable And they gave themselves not to
the plans Of the association, but 10 the civic
welfare and upon their individual respsn-
sibility. And movement that succeeds will
be a campaign that is not dependent upon the
Ministerial association but instead Is dependent
the individual responsibility and reputa-
ton for fearlessness Of every church and pastor
choosing - help make South Bend city OF
good repute"
Which. guess. is a picture Of things. pretty
much they are and they always have
been. but the Ministerial association has in
times past sought to have it appear. Furthermore
why "a Ministerial association if not place to GO
alignment Of pastors for coordinate interested.
effective action? The records show 10 have
the claimed purpose of the organization, but
noise when convenience justified. when there
Interior motve-as for instance, depending
which political party the helm of the mis-
feasances or mafeasances in vogue.
might such connection suggest 10 Or.
Eells that while ne is lighting lightly the city
administration and the prosecutors office because
Of their political quarrels"-seeking 70 minimize
latter the same category with
the lack Of effort the part of the fOrmer-he
might mayhap. with propriety, make the same
application to the association that he is seeking
to screen while inviting responsibility other
shoulders Would the Ministerial association be as
silent. would members be urging assump-
ton of responsibility, the possibility of in
terest the morals of the city. upon on-member
ministers, if the political completion OF the city hall
and the prosecutors Office the reverse? The
old association of years ago dare say wouldn't
But anyhow. we apologize. We won't expect any
particular action the direction Of
Righteousness or moral welfare the Ministerial
association any more. We had given up expecting
anything of kind even had Dr. EeIls never de-
Hvered his had been Judging the mod
organization after several changes of pasorates
by the the community that claimed
say; well, two, four, six. eight ten years ago;
judging it by the big noise that has echoed down
through the years instead Of its present unselfsh
modesty.
Which is exactly why quite contrary to Or. Eells
stood the members of the association up n
line, and asked them questions-not laying
''the blame them conditions" as he says.
but asking the light of the Barrett cease
they could where the responsibility lay, and If
they were ready to do something to correct it. We
have given you his words Now take ours We asked
them:
Are you able now in the face of what hap
pened in the superior Court Wednesday in the
Tony Barrett liquor and Monday in the
OF Tom Ward to satisfy yourself. regard
less OF your politics. of the political
compilations Of the city administration or Of
the prosecutors office, to who is four
flushing in the matter of law enforcement, and
who is thinning up the trial of the liquor
Your generosity in the past. if not indi-
vidually at least. a Ministerial association,
in carefully avoiding criticism of the city ad-
ministratOn. while seemingly willing to
condone its stigma sought TO be cast the
prosecutors office, has been such that
might almost expect you to meet now and pass
resolutions of commentator to Chief Kline for
his splendid work in forcing Friend Barrett's
freedom, and condemn alton of Pros. Schwartz
in not being able tc secure a conviction in
spite OF it.
The South Bend and Mishawaka public will
he glad to know now, in the face Of Judge
Jones pronunciamentO. whether not the
Ministerial association is to be real moral
force in the community, hCsting its Christian
ity above party politics, and standing for what
is right and decent for the who
dares TO serve, regardless OF party, because 1t
is right"
That is why asked the members of the Min
isteral association individually and collectively in
light of the organizations past claims. TO stand
up and added emphatically that If they
didn't like it. their partsanshp so supercedng the
moral issues. that they couldn't stand up" they
should of course sit down and accord
ingly very little in DR.. Eels' attitude. except
a disposition sit down" and let the other min
in
side willing TO act Independently - take up the
white mans burden
Wherefore. having caught the drift it is worth
the apology that we offer. Our mistake seems "a
have been that of swapping criticisms in public
with ghost.