Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1894 — Rev. J. H. Wilson as a Politician. [ARTICLE]

Rev. J. H. Wilson as a Politician.

This brilliant pulpit orator on July 29th at Barkley chapel took occasion during the course of his sermon to air his political sentiments which were decidedly refreshing if not altogether patriotic. He was trying to make the point that politicians of the present day entirely ignored issues of importance to the whole people and run political campaigns on issues that were likely to win and toe often a damage to the country.

The Rev. Gentleman said: “For 20 years after the, war political campaigns were fought by appealing to the prejudices and passions of the people and thus fostering sectional hatred.”

This of course, was aimed at the Republican party but I would challenge the Rev. Gentleman to find anywhere in the pages of history where conquered rebels were treated with the leniency that the Government treated the rebel democrats both north and south. They have insisted and still insist that all citizens white or black, north or south shall have all political privileges given them by the constitution.

Again he says, “But time passed on and a generation of young men came into politics that cared nothing for the old war or those that engaged in it and something must be done to still keep up this sectional hatred. So the Sons of Veterans were organized for this very purpose.” We would not be surprised to hear such unpatriotic sentiments from some of those disloyal M. E. preach-

ers in the south, but we must confess that we expect better things political from a man who claims to have fought bled and died almost for his country.

The noble order of Sons of Veterans has no political affiliations and never has had,Bro. Wilson’s statement notwithstanding. Tariff high or low he says cuts no figure in the prosperity of the people. It answers to deceive the people and catch their votes the one and only object of political parties. It is said that the wisest of men are fools on seme subjects. It may be that politics or political government is not a favorite study with Bro. W. I certainly will have to call him a back number on that subject.

Sail the gospel ship Bro. Wilson. That is your strong point. While you are airing your cranky notions on politics the blessed banner of Christ will surely trail in the dust. Bro. Wilson kindly invited any one that thought he made a misstatement to correct him. I think he made

several and I thus briefly correct him. One of Those S. of V’s.