OUR HOPE IS IN THE COMING KING.
By Editor
At its national convention in Omaha, July 4, the People's party had this to say of the condition of this country, which it charges upon the two great political organizations:— "We meet in the midst of a nation brought to the verge of moral, political, and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot box, the Legislatures, the Congress, and touches even the ermine of the bench. The people are demoralized. Most of the States have been compelled to isolate the voters at the polling places in order to prevent universal intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are largely subsidized, or muzzled, public opinion silenced, business prostrated, our homes covered with mortgages, labor impoverished, and the land concentrating in the hands of capitalists. The urban workmen are denied the right of organization for self-protection; imported pauperized labor beats down their wages; a hireling standing army, unrecognized by our laws, is established to shoot them down, and they are rapidly degenerating to European conditions. The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for the few unprecedented in the history of mankind; and the possessors of these in turn despise the republic and endanger liberty. From the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes, tramps and millionaires." We do not know as we have any desire to dispute the above arraignment. And the People's party is already charged with corruption. And what of it? These parties are of the earth earthly. If it is true (and we see no reason to doubt it) that "the people are demoralized," as the above utterance from the People's party declares, what reason have we to expect that any party made up of a demoralized people will be anything else than a demoralized party? We are not in this drawing invidious comparisons between political parties. We simply wish to call attention to this fact that as is the people so will be the party. A set of resolutions, a series of negations or affirmations, will not make men moral. They are good enough if they express underlying principles, but they are utterly worthless subscribed to by unprincipled men either in church or State. We assume not to dictate the political affiliations of any; one party may be disposed to do better than others; but we would appeal to our readers everywhere not to be deceived; not to cherish the hope—delusive hope—that the country or nation will be regenerated by any political party or earthly movement whatsoever. All regenerating power is of God, but God has never delegated that power to political parties. The world is corrupt. It is not only manifest in politics, it stands out everywhere. It is observed by people of the world in all branches of trade and industry. It is manifest in the adulteration of all foods which it will pay to adulterate, in the manufacture of all fabrics and articles of clothing; in municipal government, in boards of trade, in our courts of justice. And even thus it will be till Christ shall come, who shall judge the poor with righteousness, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.