National Reform Legislation by S. B. Horton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1916

National Reform Legislation

By S. B. Horton

THE National Reform Association is still busy endeavoring to have the United States government adopt its platform of principles, and in its organ, the Christian Statesman, for December, an appeal to the people is made, which we quote in part as follows:—

“That there is need of political reform in the United States is so evident that no person of even ordinary intelligence has any doubt about it. Arguments designed to prove this necessity therefore are superfluous.

“That the reform needed does not consist in mere superficial changes, such as putting one set of officers out and putting another set in, is evident to all who do any careful thinking. A reform, to be thorough and permanent, must go down to the very root of the whole matter of political corruption. The ax must be laid at the root of the tree. The secular system of politics is the root of all political evil. This secular system must be destroyed, root and branch. The national Constitution must be amended so that the erroneous system which it embodies may be eliminated and the true Christian system introduced.

“The national Constitution is the voice of the people. It begins with the declaration, ‘We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.’ The people of the United States are therefore responsible for whatever is good or bad in the Constitution. To the people, therefore, this appeal is addressed, calling upon them to amend that document.”

The question as to who should present such an appeal is considered, and the following answer is made by the editor of the Christian Statesman:—

“Since this appeal comes neither from the church nor from a political party, whence does it come? The answer is, It comes from a part of the people speaking as Christian citizens. In other words, it comes from the National Reform Association. While this association has not authorized this particular article, it has authorized all that it contains. The present purpose of the editor of the Christian Statesman is to gather up in brief form the great truths embodied in the message which this association has been sounding forth for more than fifty years. . . .

“This association, composed of part of the people, now addresses the whole people of the United States, and urges fundamental, political reformation. This appeal is sustained by certain cogent reasons.”

In speaking of one of these reasons the Christian Statesman says:—

“The association that now speaks is the remnant that embodies the true principles of Christian political science. These principles have occasionally found expression in the life of the nation, in public documents of various kinds, but they have never been formulated and expressed in the one document in which the people speak. They have never been announced as an essential part of the organic law of the nation. This association, therefore, in a very important sense contains the seed from which true Christian civil government must spring. It is the people as they ought to be. It is the Christian nation in embryo.”

In the light of the foregoing, it is interesting to note that a joint resolution (S. J. Res. 42) was introduced in the Senate, December 10, by Mr. Kenyon, of Iowa, by request. This joint resolution is as follows:—

“Whereas, The Christian party asks all lawmakers and rulers to adopt and use the decalogue, and the golden rule formulated by Jesus Christ, as the standard measure for all our laws and government; and,—

“Whereas, Said party believes in rightful ground and income tax; and,—

“Whereas, It disapproves of a standing army and the expense of further preparation of war; and,—

“Whereas, It demands the divorcement of our government from the liquor traffic, that the manufacture of alcoholic beverages be stopped, and, under a proper compensation for business losses, the suppression of the saloon system; and,—

“Whereas, It protests against the unsettling of business by unjust tariff legislation; and,—

“Whereas, It favors a direct vote of the people (women included) in electing all officers; and,—

“Whereas, It relies upon God’s blessing, in his name, under his authority, and seeks the support and cooperation of all patriots, regardless of sex, nationality, creed, race, or party, to his glory for humanity, and for the overthrowing of Satan’s kingdom on earth; therefore—

“Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the use of the decalogue and Jesus’ rule be the standard measure for the laws and regulations of the government of the United States, regardless of sex, nationality, creed, or party; and,—

“Resolved further, That the united prayer and cooperation of all Christians and patriots is asked for the adoption and use of the Lord’s standard nationally as an expression and example to the world.”

A similar measure was introduced in the Sixty-third Congress by Senator Kenyon. Is the National Reform Association responsible for this proposed joint resolution?

S. B. HORTON.