Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1896 — Page 7

TALMAGE’S SERMON.

The PREACHER ENFORCES A , MOST UPLIFTING TRUTH. . a 1 God Is in the Blade of Grass at Our Feet as Well as in the Clouds—Our Mental and Spiritual Incapacity Touched U pon Divine Inspiration. _ (Inly Little Thins*. > ,"» A mast uplifting truth is presented in Dr. Talmage’s discourse of last Sunday. His text was. Matthew x., 29: “Are not. two sparrows Sold for a farthing.' And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your, Father.” You’see the Bible will not be limited in the choice of symbols. There is hardly a beast or> bird,or insect which has not been called to illustrate some divine truth—the ox’s patience, the ant’s industry, the spider’s skill, the hind’-s surefootedness, the eagle’s the dove’s gentleness and even the sparrow’s meanness and insignificance. In oriental countries none but the poorest people buy the spanrow and eat it—so very Tittle meat is there, on the bones and so very poor is it what there is of it. The comfortable population would , not think of touching it any more than you would think of eatiug a bat or a lamPfey. Now, says Jesus, if God takes such good care of a poor bird that is not worth a eent, will he not care for you, an immortal? In Minute Affairs. We assocjate God .with revolutions. We can see a divine purpose in the discovery of America, in the invention of the art of printing, in’the exposure of the gunpowder plot, in the contrivance of the needle gun. in the rttimof an Austrian or Napoleonic despotism, but how hard it is to see God in the minute personal affairs of our lives! We think of God-as making a record’ of the starry host, but cannot realize the Bible truth that .he knows how many hairs are on our head. It seems a grand thing that God provided food for hundreds, of thousands of Israelites in the desert, but we cannot appreciate the’ truth that when it sparrow is hungry God stoops down and opens its mouth and puts the seed in. We are struck with the idea that God fills the Universe with his presence, but cannot understand how he encamps in the crystal palace of a dewdrop or finds room to stand between the alabaster pillars of the pond lily. We can see God in the clouds. (Jan we see God in these*flowers at our feet? We are dpt to place God on some great stage, or to try to do it, expecting him there to act out his stupendous projects, but we forget that the life of a Cromwell, an Alexander or a Washington or an archangel is not more under divine Inspection than your life or mine.* Pompey thought there must be a mist over the eyes of ood because he so much favored Cuesar. But there is no such mist. He sees everything. We sav God’s oath is in the great waters. True pnough, but no more certainly than he is in the water in the glass on the table. We say God guides the stays in their courses. Magnificent truth! But no more certain truth than that he decides which i road or street you shall take in coming to church. tUndeystand that God does not sit upon an indifferent or unsympathetic throne, but that he sits down beside you to-day and stands beside me to-day, and no affair of our lives is so insignificant but that it is of importance to God. In .the first place, God chooses our Occupation for UH. I tint amazed to see how inaiiy people there are dissatisfied with the work they nave to do. I think threefourths Wish they were in some other occupation, and they spend a great deal of time in regretting that they got in the wrong tjrade or profession. I wiifit to tell you that God put into operation all the influences which led you to that particular choice. Many of you are not in the business that,you expected to be in. You started for the ministry and learned merchandise. You started for the law, and you are a physician. You preferred agriculture, and you became a mechanic. You thought one way. God thought another. But you ought not to sit down and mourn over the. past. You are to remember that God arranged all these circumstances by which you were made what you are.

Man Proposes. Hugh Miller says, “I will be a stonemason.” God says, “You will be a geologist.” David goes out to attend his father’s sheep. —God calls him to govern a nation. Saul goes out to hunt his father's asses, and before he gets back finds the crown of regal dominion. How much hap.pier would we be if we were content with the places God gave us! God saw your temperament and all the circumstances by which you were surrounded, and I believe nine-tenths ot you are in the work you are best fitted for. I “ear a great racket in my watch, and I find that.the hands and the wheels and the springs are getting out of their places. I send it down to the jeweler's and say, “Overhaul that watch and teach the wheels, and the spring, and the hands to mind their own business.” iYou know a man having a large estate. He gathers his working hands in the morning and says to one, “You go trim that vine;” to another, “You go and weed those flowers;” to another, “You plow that tough glebe,” and each one go?s to his particular work. .The owner of the estate points the man to what he knows he can do best, and so it is with the Lord. I remark further that God has arranged the place of our dwelling. What particular city or town, street or house you shall live in seems to be a mere matter of accident. You go out to hunt for a house, and you happen to pass up a certain street and happen to see a sign, and you select that house. Was it all happening so? Oh, no. God guided you in every step. He foresaw the future. He knew all your circumstances, and he selected just that one house as better for yqu than any of the 10,000 habitations iu the' city. Our house, however humble the roof, and however lowly the portals, is as near God’s heart as an Alhambra or a Kremlin. Prove it, you say. Proverbs iii., 33, “He blesseth the habitation of the just.” I remark further that God arranges all our friendships. You were driven to the wall. You found a man just at that crisis who sympathized with you and helped you. You aay, “How lucky I was!” There was no luek about it. God sent that friend just as certainly as he sent the angel to strengthen Christ. Your domestic friends, your business friends, your Ghristian friends, God sent them to bless you, and if any of them has proved traitorous it is only to bring out the value of those who remain. If some die, it is only that they may. stand at the outposts of heaven to greet you at your coming. Yon always will have friends, warm hearted friends, magnanimous friends, and when sickness comes to your dwelling there will be watchers; when trouble comes to your heart there will be sympathizers; when death comes there will be gentle fingers-to close the eyes and fold the hands and gentle lips to tell of a resurrection. Oh, we are compassed by a Ibody-guard of friends! Every man, if he has behaved himself well, is surrounded by three circles of friends—those of the outer circle wishing him well; those in the oext circle willing to help him, while close to his heart are a few who would die for him. God pity the wretch who has not any friends! Divine Allotment. > remark again that God puts down the limit to our temporal prosperity. The

world of finance seems to have no God in it. You cannot tell where a map wyl land, The affluent fall, the poor rise. The ingenious fail, the ignorant succeed. An enterprise opening grandly shuts in bankruptcy, while out of the peat dug up from some New England marsh the millionaire builds his fortune' The poor man thinks it is chance that keeps him down; the rich, man thinks it is chance which hoists him-, and they are both wrong. It is so hard to realize that God rules the money market and has a hook in the nose of, the stock gambler, and'that all the. commercial revolutions of the world shall ■resultTu the very best for God’s dear children. * ’ My brethren, do not kick against the divine allotments. God knows just how much money it is best for you to lose. You never gain unless it is best for you to gain. Jfoti go up when it is best for you to go up and go down when it is bhst for you to go down. Prove it, you say. I will—Romans viii., 28, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” lou go into a factory, anil you see twenty or thirty wheels, and they are going in different, directions. This band is rolling off this way, and another band another way, one down and’ another up. You say, “M hat confusion in a factory!” Oh, no. All these different bands'are only different parts of the machinery. So Igo into your life and sde strange things. Here is one providence pulling you one way and another in another way. But these are different parts of one machinery by which he will advance your everlasting and present well being. Now you know that a second mortgage and a third and fourth mortgage are often worth nothing. It is the first mortgage that is a good investment. I have to tell you that every Christian man has a first every trial, and on every disaster, and it must make a payment of eternal advantage to his soul. . How many worriments it. would take out of your heart if you believed that fully. You buy goods and hope the price will go up, but you are in a fret and a frown for feijr the price will go down. You do not buy the goods using your best discretion in the matter and then say: “Oh. Lord, I have done the best I could. I commit this Whole transaction into thy hands.’’ That is what religion is good for, or it is good for nothing. There are”"two things, sayk an old proyerb, you ought not to fret about. First, things that you can help, and second, thing? which you' cannot help. If you can help them, why do you not apply the remedy? If you cannot help them, you might as well surrender first as last. My dear brethren, do not sit any longer moping about your ledger. Do not sit looking so despondingly upon your stock of unsalable goods. Do you think that God is going to allow you, a Christian man, to do business alone? God is the controlling partner in every firm, and, although your debtors may abscond, although your securities may fail, although your store may burn, God will, out of an infinity of results, choose for you the very best results. _ Rule and Regulation. Do not have any idea that you can overstep the limit that God has laid down for your prosperity. You will never get one inch beyond it. God has decided howmuch prosperity you can stand hpnorably, and employ usefully, and control righteously,, and at the end of the year you will have just so many dollars and cents, just so much wardrobe, just so much furniture, just so many bonds and mortgages and nothing more. I will give you $l9O for every penny you get beyofidTbat. God has looJked .fiver your life. He knows what is best for you, and he is going to bless yon in time, and bless you for eternity, and he will do it in the best way. Your little child' says,“Papa, I wish you would let me have that knife.” “No," you say, “it is a sharp knife, and you will cut yourself.” He says, “I must have it.” “But you cannot have it,” you reply. He gets angry and red in the face and says he will have it, but you say he shall not have it. Are you not kind in*.keepftig it from him? So God treats liis children. I say, “I wish, heavenly Father, to get that.” God says, “No, my child.” I say, “I must have it.” God says, “You cannot have it.” Iget angry-Mfi say, "I will have it.” God says, “You shall not Have -it,” and I do not get it. Is he not kind and loving and the I—t of Fathers? Do you tell me there is no rule and regulation in these things? Tell that to the men who believe in no God and no Bible. Tell it not to me!

A man of large business concludes to go out Of his store, leaving much of his investments in the business, and he says to his sons: “Now, I am going to leave this business in your hands. Perhaps I may come back in a little while and perhaps not. While lam gone, you will please to look after affairs.” After awhile the father comes back and finds everything at loose ends, and the whole business seems to be going wrong. He says: “I am going to take possession of this business —you know I never fully surrendered it—and henceforth consider yourselves subordinates.” Is he not right in doing it? He saves the business. The Lord seems to let us go on in life, guided by our own skill, and we make miserable work of it. God comes down to our shop or our store and says: "Things are going wrong. I come to take charge. lam master, and I know What is best, and I proclaim my authority.” We are merely subordinates. It is like a boy at school with a long sum that he cannot do. He has been working at it for hours, making figures here and rubbing out figures there, and it is all mixed up, and the teacher, looking over the boy’s shoulder, knows that he cannot get out of it, and cleaning the slate, says, “Begin again.” Just so God does to us. Our affairs get into an inextricable entanglement, nnd he rubs everything out and says, “Begin again.” Is be not wise and loving in so doing? * A Good Backing. I think the trouble is that there is so large a difference between the divine and the human estimate as to what is enough. I have heard of people striving for that which is enough, but I never heard of any one who had enough. What God calls enough for man man calls too little. What man calls enough God says is too much. The difference between a poor man and a rich man is only the difference in banks. The rich man puts his money in the Washington bank, or the Central bank, or the Metropolitan bank or some other bank of that character, while the poor man comes up and makes his investments in the bank of him who runs all the quarries, all the mines, all the gold, all the earth, all heaven. Do you think a man can fail when he is backed, up like that? You may have seen a map on which are described with red ink the travels of the children of Israel through the desert to the promised land. You see how they took" this and that direction, crossed the river and went through the sea. Do you know God has made a map of your life with paths leading up to this bitterness and that success, through this river and across that sea? But, blessed be God, tne path always comes out at the promised land. Mark that! Mark that! I remark again that all those things that seem to be but accidents in our life are under the divine supervision. We sometimes seem to be going helmless and anchoriess. You say, “If I had some other trade; if I had not gone there this summer: it I had lived In some other house.” You have no right to say that. Every tear you wept, every step you have taken, every burden you have carried, is under divine inspection, and that event

which startled your whole household wjth horror God met with perfect ftlacidity, because he knew it was for your good. It was part of a great plan projected long ago. In eternity, when you come to reckon up your mercies, you will point to that affliction as one of your greatest blessings. God has a strange way with us. Joseph found his way to the prime minister’s chair by being pushed into a pit, and to many a ’Christian down is up. The wheat must be flailed; the quarry must be blasted; the diamond must be ground; the Christian must be afflicted, and that single event, which you supposed stood entirely alone, was a connecting link between two great chains, one chain reaching through all eternity past and the other chain reaching through all eternity fut-ure—so small an event fastening two eternities together. A missionary coming from India to the United States stopped at St. Helena while the vessel was taking -water. He had his little child with him. They Walked along by an embankment, and-a rock at that moment became loosened, and falling instantly killed the child. Was it an accident? Was it a surprise to God? Had he allowed his servant after a life of consecration tq come to sueh a trial? Not such is my God. There are no accidents in the divine mind, though they may seem so to us. God is good, and by every single, incident of our life, whether it be adverse or otherwise, before earth and heaven God will demonstrate lais mercy. I hear a man say: “That idea belittles God. You bring him down to such little things.” Oh, I have a more thorough appreciation of God in little things than I have in great, things. The mother does not wait until the child has crushed its foot or broken its arm before she administers,sympathy. The child comes in with the least bruise, and the mother kisses it. God does not wait for some tremendous crisis in our life, but comes down to us in our most insignificant trials and throws over us the arms of his mercy. Development. Going up the White mountains some years ago I thought of that passage in the Bible that speaks of God, as weighing mountains in 'a balance. As 1 looked at those great mountains, I thought, can it be‘possible that God can put these great mountains in scales? It was an idea too great for me to> grasp, but vyhen 1 saw a blue bell down by the mule’s foot on my way up Mount Washington then I understood the kindness and goodness of God. It is not so much of,God in great things I can understand, but of God in little things. There is a man who says, “That doc, trine cannot be true because things do go sb very wrong.” I reply it is no inconsistency on the part of God, but a lack of understanding on our part, , I hear that mop are making very fine shawls in some factory. I go,in on the first floor and see only the raw materials, and I ask, “Are these the shawls I have heard about?” “No,” says the manufacturer; “go up to the next floor.” And I go up, and there I begin to see the design. , But the man says: “Do not stop here: Go up to the top floor of the factory, and you will see the idea fully carried out.” Ido so, and, having come to the top, see the complete pattern of an exquisite shawl. So in our life, standing down ou a low level of Christian experience we do not understand God's dealings.. He tells us to go up higher and higher until we begin to understand the divine meaning with respect to us, and we advance until we stand at tfie very gate of heaven, and there see God’s idea all wrought out—a pefrect id'eabf mercy, of love, of kindness. And we say, “Just and true are all thy ways?' It is all right at the top. Remember there is no inconsistency on the part of God, but it is only our mental and spiritual incapacity. Some of you may be disappointed this summer —vacations are apt to be disappointments—but whatever your perplexities and worriments know that “man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.” Ask tfiese aged men in this church if it is not so. It has been so in my own life. One summer I started for the Adirondacks, but my plans were so changed that I landed in Liverpool. I studied law, and I got into the ministry. I resolved to go as a missionary to China, nnd I staid in the United States. I thought I would like to be in the East and I went to the West—all the circumstances of life, all my work, different from that which I expected. “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth hfa steps.” So, my dear friends, this day take home this subject. ' Be content xrith such things as you have. From every grass blade under your feet learn the lesson of divine care, and never let the smallest bird flit across your path without thinking of the truth that two sparrows are sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Blesaed be his glorious name forever. Amen.

Short Sermons.

Money.—Money may give you fine clothes, but It will not make you a gentleman. It may build you a house, but It will not make a home. Money cannot buy heaven. Do not trust In coin, but in character; do not trust in currency, but In Christ.—Rev. W. 0. Wallace, Baptist, Utica, N. Y. God’s Sunshine.—Here on this troubled globe it is decreed that the gloom of night shall cover us as often as the hopeful day; but yonder on the everlasting heights of glory the sun never sets, and the silver peaks stand always bathed In the ineffable sheen from the throne of love.—Rev. Frank Crane, Methodist, Chicago, 111. The Church.—ln the popular mind the success of the church is likely to be judged by the amount of its contributions to the poor. This is not the case. A church may be magnificently equipped to administer charity, and yet fall to accomplish the purpose of Jesus Christ.—'Rev. S. D. McConnell, Episcopalian, Brooklyn, N. Y.' Motherhood.—lt is a fact that the large increase In our population comes from the poor and uneducated. Small families are found among the rich and educated. The mother says that she cannot afford to be deprived of society. Thus motherhood and society are In conflict. In the Interests of the welfare of the nation, I champion the cause of motherhood. Kindergarten work should be done in the home under the supervision of the mother. What we want Is a high physical, mental and moral motherhood. —Rev. E. M. Wood, Methodist, Allegheny, Pa. Society Women.—O woman In society, you say you sway men’s hearts! Grant It. For you and the favor of ycur eyes men have killed each other; for you men have learned to dance. Jhey dance not by themselves. At your nod and beck a home has been broken up, faithful wife deserted and noble children disgraced. To bedeck you with jewels and gems men have forged notes, swindled creditors, gambled, bet and sjieculated. For God, for purity, for temperance, for the home and children, for the church, I beg of you, woman, In the full dawn of your social life, live for God and work for your weak sisters.—Rev. H. C. Peebles, Baptist. Rochester, N. Y.

REPUBLICAN GOSPEL.

TEXT OF THE PARTY’S DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES. Reaffirm* Allegiance to Tariff Protection—Reciprocity One of the Cardinal Points—Gold Standard for Currency Demanded. Text of the Document. Following is the platform upon which Republicans will make the fight f0r,1896: The Republicans ot the United States, assembled by their representatives, in national convention, appealing for the'popular and historical'justification ot their claims to the matchelss achievements of thirty years of Republican rule, earnestly and confidently address themselves to the awakened Intelligence, experience and conscience of their countrymen In the following declaration ot facts and principles: For the flfst time since the civil war’ihe American people have witnessed the calamitous consequences of full and unrestricted Democratic control of the government. It has been a record of unparalleled Incapacity, dishonor and disaster, In administrative management It has ruthlessly sacrificed Indispensable revenue, entailed an increasing deficit, eked out ordinary current expenses with borrowed money, plied up the pnbllc debt by $262,000,000 In time of peace, forced an adverse balance of trade, kept a perpetual menace hanging over the redemption fulfil, pawned American Credit to alien syndicates, and reversed all the measures and results of successful Republican rule. In the broad effect of Its policy It has precipitated panic, blighted Industry and trade with prolonged depression, closed factories, reduced work and wages, halted enterprise and crippled American production while stimulating foreign production for the American market. Every consideration of public safety and Individual Interest demands that the Government shall be rescued from the hands of those who have shown themselves incapable to conduct It without disaster at home and dishonor abroad, and shall be restored to the party which for thirty years administered It with unequaled success and prosperity. Renews Allegiance to Protection, We renew and emphasize our allegiance to the policy of protection as the bulwark of American Industrial independence and the foundation of American development and prosperity. This true American policy taxes foreign products and encourages home Industry; ft puts the burden of revenue on foreign goods; It secures the American market for the American producer; It upholds the American standard of wages for the Amerlcair workingman:, Lt puts the. factory by the side of the farm and makes the American farmer less dependent oh foreign demand and price; It diffuses general thrift and founds th.e strength of all, on the strength of each. In Its reasonable application It is just, fair and impartial, equally opposed to foreign control and domestic monopoly; to sectional discrimination and Individual favoritism. We denounce the present Democratic tariff’ as sectional. Injurious to the public credit and-destructive to business enterprise. We demand such an equitable tariff on foreign Imports which come Into competition with American products as will not only furnish adequate revenue for the neeessary expenses of the Government, but will protect American labor from degradation to the wage level of other lands. We are not pledged to any particular schedules. The question of rates is a practical question, to be governed by the conditions of the time and of production; the ruling and uncompromising principle Is the protection and development of American labor and Industry. The country demands a right settlement and theu It wants rest. We believe the repeal of the reciprocity arrangements negotiated by tlie last Republican administration wa» a national calamity, and we demand their renewal and extension on such terms as will equalize our trade with other nations, remove the restrictions which now obstruct the sale of American products in the ports-of other Countries,- and secure enlarged markets for the products of our farms, forests and factories. Protection and reciprocity are twin measures of Republican policy and go hand in hand. Democratic rule has recklessly struck down both and both must be re-established. Protection for what we..produce; free admission for the necessaries of life which we do not produce" reciprocal agreements of mutual Interests which gain open markets for us in return for our open market for others. Protection builds up domestic industry and trade and secures our own market for ourselves; reciprocity builds up foreign trade and finds an outlet for our surplus. We condemn the present affinlnlstrtWon for not keeping faith with the' sugar producersof this country. The Republican party favors such protection as will lead to the production on American soli of all the sugar which the American people use, and for which they pay other countries more than $100,000,000 annually. To all our products—to those of the mine and the field as well as to those of the shop and the factotv—to hemp, to wool, the products of the great Industry of sheep husbandry, as well as to the finished woolens of the mill—we promise . the most ample protectlop. We favor restoring the early American nolcy of discriminating duties for the upbul’dIng of our merchant marine and the protection of our shipping In the forelgu carrying trade, so that American ships—the products of American labor employed In American shipyards, sailing under the stars and stripes and manned, officered and owned bv Americans—may regain the carrying ot o.ir foreign com me rce. The Republican party is unreservedly for sound money. It caused the enactment of .the law providing for the resumption of specie payments In 1879; since then every dollar has been as good ns gold. We are unalterably opposed to every measure calculated to debase our currency or impair the credit of our country. We are therefore opposed to the free coinage of silver except by international agreement with the leading Commercial nations of the world, which we pledge ourselves to promote, and until such agreement can be obtained the existing gold standard must be preserved. AU our sliver and paper currency must be maintained at parley with gold, and we favor all measures designed to maintain Inviolably the obligations of the United States and a’ll our money whether coin or paper, at the present standard. the standard of the most enlightened nations of the earth. The veterans of the Union army deserve nnd should receive fair treatment and generous recognition. Whenver practicable they should be given the preference In the matter of employment.’and they are entitled to the enactment of such laws as are best calculated to secure the fulfillment of the pledges made to them In the dark days of the country’s peril. We denounce the practice In the pension bureau, so recklessly and unjustly barrled out by the present administration, ot reducing pensions and arbitrarily dropplug names from the rolls, as deserving the severest condemnation of the American people. Our foreign policy should be at all times firm, vigorous and dignified, and all our Interests In the western hemisphere carefully watched and guarded. The Hawaiian Islands should be controlled by the United States, and no foreign power should be permitted to Interfere with them the canal should be built, owned and operated by the United States and by the purchase of the Danish Islands we should secure a proper and much-needed naval station In the West Indies. The massacres In Armenia have aroused the deep sympathy and just indignation of the American people, and we believe that the United States should exercise all the Influence LL can properly exert to bring these atrocities to an .end. In Turkey American residents have been exposed to the gravest dangers, and American property destroyed. There and everywhere American citizens and American property must be absolutely protected at all hazards and at any coat. We reassert the Monroe doctrine la Its full extent, and we reaffirm the right of the United States to give the doctrine effeot by responding to the appeals of any American state for friendly intervention In case of European encroachment. We have not Interfered and shall not Interfere with the existing posscsslona ot any Eurepeku power In this hemisphere, but those ’possessions must not on any pretext be extended. We hopefully look forward to the eventual withdrawal of the European powers from this hemisphere and to the ultimate union of all Engllsli-speakiug parts of the continent’ by the free consent ot Its Inhabitants. Front the hour of achieving their owtz Independence the people of the United States have regarded with sympathy the struggles of other American peoples to free themselves from European domination. We watch with deep and abiding Interest the heroic battle of the Cuban patriots against cruelty aud oppression, and our best hopes go out for the full success of their determined contest for liberty. The govbrument of Spain, having lost control of Cuba, and being unable to protect the property or Ilves of resident American citizens, or to comply with Its treaty obligations, we believe that the Government of the United States should actively use its Influence and good offices to restore peace and give Independence to the IMand. The pqace aud security of the republic and the maintenance of Its rightful Influence among the uatlons of the earth demand a naval power commensurate with Its position nnd responsibility. We therefore favor the continued enlargement of «the ii*vy and a Complete system of harbor aud sea coast defenses. For the protection of the quality of our

American citizenship and of the wages of our workingmen against the fatal competition of low-priced labor, we demand that the immigration laws be thoroughly enforced, and so extended as to exclude' from entiknce to the United- States those who can neither read nor write; » —• The civil-service law was placed "on the statute book by the Republican party, which has always sustained It, and we renew ottr repeated declarations that It shall be thoroughly and honestly enforced and extended wherever practicable’ ~ For a Free Ballot, We demand that every citizen of the United States shall be allowed to cast one free and unrestricted ballot, and that such balk)t shall be counted and returned as cast; We proclaim our unqualified condemnation of the uncivilized and barbarous practice, well known as lynching or killing of human beings, suspected or charged with crime, without process of law. We favor the creation of a national board of arbitration to settle and adjust differences which may arise between employers and employed engaged In Interstate merceWp bel.lqve in an [mediate return. to the frep homestead policy of the Republican party, and urge the passage by Congress of the satisfactory free homestead measure which has already passed the House and is now pending In the Senate. We favor the admission of the remaining Territories at the earliest practicable date, haying due regard to the interests of the people of the Territories and of the United States. All the Federal officers appointed for the Territories should be elected from bona-fide residents thereof, and the right of self-government should be accorded as far as practicable. We believe the citizen? of Alaska should have representation in the Congress of the United States to the end that needful legislation may be intelligently enacted. We sympathize with all wise and legitimate efforts to lessen and prevent the evils of Intemperance and promote morality. The Republican party is mindful of the rights and interests of women. Protection of American Industries Includes equal opportunities, equal pay for equal work and protection to the home. We favor the admission of women to wider spheres of usefulness, and we need their co-operation in resculngthecountry from Democratic and Populist mismanagement and misrule. Such are the principles and policies of tne Republican party. By these principles we will abide, and these policies we will put Into execution. We ask for them the considerate Judgment of the American people. Confident alike In the history party and In the justice of our cfifisC, we present our platform and our candidates in the full assurance that the election will bring victory to the Repu’dlcan prosperity to the people of the United States.

A Few Mexican. Taxes.

Every inhabitant of the republic .who §eUs. goods to the value of over S2O must give to the buyer “an invoice, note or other document accrediting the purchase,” and affix to the same and cancel a stamp corresponding to the value of the sale. Sales at retail are exempt from this tax, and retail sales are defined to be "sales made with a single buypr, whose value does not exceed S2O. The reunion lu a single invoice of various parcels, one of which does not amount to S2O, but which in the aggregate exceed that quantity,” remains subject to the tax. Retail sales in the public markets, or by ambulatory sellers, or licensed establishments whose capital does not exceed S3OO, are also exempt. ■ Tickets of all descriptions—railroad, theater, etc.—must have a stamp, as must each page of the reports of meetings, each leaf of a merchant’s ledger, day or cash book, and every cigar sold singly, which must be delivered to the .buyer tn a stamped wrapper. Shies-of imported spirits pay 8 per cent, on the duties levied on their importation, and a half of 1 per cent, in addition when retailed. Domestic spirits pay 3 per cent, when sold by producers or dealers at wholesale, and a half of 1 per cent, additional when sold at retail. Gross receipts of city railroads pay 4 per cent., public amusements, 2 per cent. Upon the amount paid for entrance; playing cards, 50 per bent.—paid in stamps—on the retail prl’ce, and manufactured tobacco a variety of taxes, proportioned to quality and value. Mercantile drafts are taxed at $1 on every hundred—Appleton’s Popular Science Monthly.

Tanning Leather in England.

At the opening of the shoe and leather fair In London a few days ago the principal speaker said that when he entered the business it took three years for the hide of a bullock to be converted into leather fit for shoemaking, but now it was possible for a bullock to be walking about on Saturday and for Its hide to be good, serviceable leather on the following Tuesday. Because of our primitive methods, trade had slipped away into other hands; but all that was past now, and the English tanner was able to procure cheap and fancy leather and good leather as jvell. Still, Ainerica was ahead of us in' r the matter of the cheaper production of the manufactured article, the reason being that'the newest labor-saving machinery was used. American bullocks were brought to this country to be killed, and’their hides were shipped back to America to be made Into boots for the English market.

Not a New Thing.

Prepaid envelopes are by no means of modern invention. As far back as the reign of Louis XIV,, M. De Valfyer, with, the royal consent, established a private penny post, using street boxes on the corners, just as we do now, In which might be posted letters wrapped in envelopes, which were on sale at offices established for that purpose. Valfyer also printed a form of billets, or notes, which were to be filled In by the writers. It happened that M. Pellsson wrote to the celebrated Mme. Scuderie, using one of these billets, and the nature of the writer and recipient was such that the document has been preserved, still inclosed in its prepaid envelope, po as to again exemplify the truth of the adage that "there is nothing new under the sun.”

Hollow Brick.

Hollow brick, it Is said, are coming into more general use in eastern cities, and quite a pumber of large buildings have been built with them. They crush at 30,000 pounds, or about the pressure which the best solid brick stand. They are made Bxßxl2, with walls one inch thick. It Is claimed that they coat onethird lees than the regular form, making walls proof against fire, moisture and frost, being warm in winter and cool In summer. They require a peculiar clay in their manufacture, one that will not shrink' when dried or burned. The brick are set on end, thus making a wall hollow from top to bottom.

Murnaghan’s Bull.

A good bull was made recently in Parliament by Mr. Murnaghan, mem ber for Tyrone, who, on being stopped by the said: "I bow, sir, to your ruling, and merely beg to reiterate what I was about to observe."

Biography in a Nutshell.

Born, welcomed, caressed, cried, fed. grew, amused, reared, studied, examined, graduated, in love, loved, engaged, married, quarreled, reconciled, sulfered, deserted, taken ill, died, mourned, burled and forgotten.

THE PIANO NUISANCE.

Protracted Practicing Leads' to Severe Nervoua Maladies. Gounod, the composer, bitter# resented the omnipresence of the average piano player, says the St. Louis GlobeDemocrat. He was strongly. In favor of a somewhat severe pianoforte tax. His argument was that ninety-nine out of every one hundred who learned to play the instrument failed to attain to more than a superficial stage, either of conception or execution, and that they wasted valuable time, which might otherwise be employed In doing something that would benefit them. He also contended that piano practice of students constituted a public nuisance, .and was irritating and exasperating to such a degree as to become an outrage on ‘peacefully Inclined citizens. The proposed tax was never levied, but some figures published by a French scientist may possibly in some measure tend to restrict .the indiscriminate teaching to music to very young children. It Is declared that a large number of nervous maladies from which girls of the present day suffer are to be attributed to playing the piano. Children who ought to be exercising jn the open air are kept at dreary and distasteful work at the keyboard hour after hour daily, and the nerves simply will not stand the strain, It is said to be proved by statistics that of 1,000 girls who study this instrument before the age of 12, no less than 600 suffer from this clas*s of disorders, while of those who do not begin until later there are only some 200 per 1,000. The prosecution of the study of the violin by the very young is proved to be equally injurious. The remedy suggested is that children should not be permitted to study either instrument before the age of 16 at least, or, in the case of delicate constitutions, not until a later age. So far’as the pland is concerned, however, It Is possible that the true remedy may be found In a better method of teaching. The main point in early tuition is to “form” the hands and give them flexibility and strength. This is purely mechanical, and it can be done away from the pianoforte keyboard. The endless repetition of sound, which is responsible for much of the wear and tear of the nerves of young musical students, Is thus avoided, and better progress is made from the concentration of the miud and technique only. The objection has been raised that such a system makes only those “mechanical” players who would be so under the ordinary system of tuition. To those of true artistic instinct it is an Inestimable help, and shortener of labor. - »

Good for the Colored Porters.

The New York Tribune tells an excellent story of the kindness of some sleeping car porters, as gathered from the lips of a young Englishwoman whose husband was serlobsly ill, and who found herself suddenly obliged to undertake a twenty-four-hottr railway journey, with a baby only two months old, and with no one to assist her in the care of it. I didn’t know how baby would take to traveling, and the thought of his crying all night in the sleeping car was simply maddening. We started at 6 o’clock, and for two hours baby was quiet. But then he became restless, and soon he began to cry; I did all I could, but he kept it up. - The meh In the car looked at us ruefully, as if expecting a sleepless night, and I finally began to cry myself. I know it was foolish, but alarm for my husband and the trouble with baby were too much for me. There were three women in the car,’ one elderly and the others young, but none of them offered me even a word of sympathy. But the negro porters were as kind and good as they could be. I didn’t know much about negroes, and from the newspapers I had an Idea that the porters on sleeping ears were greedy and soulless. These certainly were not. The one on my car may have been animated by a desire to get a tip, but all the others who passed stopped to speak to me and to ask If they could do anything for baby. They got me lumps of sugar and warmed the milk, and spoke so cheeringly that I felt much relieved. Fortunately baby quieted down in an hour or two, and slept well all night. Now my heart is warm for the negro race, and especially for sleeping car porters.

Just Like His Father.

“My old black auntie,” said Represent tative John Allen to a Washington Post man, “the old black shepherdess who raised me, and who still looks on me as a lamb of her rearing, grows at times very congratulatory and proud of me. “ “Deed! I Is proud of you, Mars John,’ she said, on the occasion of our last meeting. ‘I takes de vastest pride in ye, honey, an’ de way you does hoi’ office. You is jes’ like yo’ of father, Mars John, jes’ like him fo’ de worl’. He was allar hol’ln office same as you, honey; hoi’ office all de time, yo paw did, an’ he ’minds me of you so much. ’Deed, I’se proud of bof of ye.’ “ ‘Why, what office djd my father hold? I asked. I was a bit astonished, for while I had a dim recollection of the old gentleman running several times, I never knew, of any office he held. ‘What office did my father hold?’ “ ‘Sho! Mars John; you go an’ forget de office yo’ father hoi’,’ the old aunty replied, reproachfully. ‘l’se ’shamed fo,’ you. He was a candidate, Mars John. De whole neighborhood remember it well. All his life he hoi* dat office, yo’ paw does; never I knows him when he warn’ta candidate. Looks like you an’ yo’ father jes’ same that away; bof alters hol’ln’ office.’"

New Kind of Seed.

All International disputes are liable to what are called “complications.” Here is one, cited by the Washington Post in connection with the Venezuela matter: A Western Congressman is said to have received a letter from one of his constituents, who believes in losing no chances. “Everybody here,” he wrote, “is talking about the Monroe Doctrine, and nobody knows what It Is. I don’t know myself, but if the Government is giving it away, send me what you can.”

Another Story.

Ferry—Why don’t you get married? Don’t say you can’t stand the expense; that excuse Is too thin. , Hargreaves—l could stand the expense well enough, but the girl’s father says he can’t—Cincinnati Tribune.

RECORD OF THE WEEK

INDIANA INCIDENTS TERSELY TOLD. An Did Battle Ground Bachelor Confesses His Mistake - Contemptible Blackmail at Shelbyville-Thieves Make It Lively for Toland. Composes His Own Epitaph. most eccentric characters ot the StXte is Allisotf Dewitt, of Battle Ground, an old bachelor who has lived alone in a little cabin for nearly half * century, apd is now an octogenarian, enfeebled by disease and near death’s door. Over one year ago he began digging his own grave, which progressed slowly because of his feebleness, and’ after reaching the required; depth he spent several weeks in walling it up, using brick and mortar. Then he contracted with a Logansport firm for a suitable monument, bearing his own epitaph, and this stone has just been placed in position. He prescribed what should be carved on the tombstone, stipulating that no capital letter must be used save in the word God. A literal copy is as follows: ’ a bachelor lies beneath this sod who disobeyed the laws of God — advice to others thus i give: don't live a batch as i did live —regret. Deacon Nicely in a Bad Fix. Zachariah Nicely, a wealthy resident and a deacon in the Methodist ’ Church, was arrested at Shelbyville on a gfand jury warrant. He gave bond in the sum of SI,OOO. Nicely came in 1860 from Lawrence County, Ohio, where he waa married in 1849. A few weeks after marriage his wife-abandoned him, going to Virginia. After coming to this county he was taken sick, and wrote for his wife, thinking she would come. Instead a letter came stating that she was dead. He recovered and ''married Sarah Bales, who proved a good and devoted wife, and who , assisted him in ' accumulating a nice fortune. ThTs facF seems to have reached Virginia parties, who, he says, recently wrote informing him that unless he would send them $1,200 they would expose him, stating that his first wife was living, which is true. Nicely refused to do this and his arrest is the result. Had to Fight for His Gems. Frank J. Toland, of La Crosse, Wis., on Sunday morning entered an Indianapolis restaurant and met John Sheridan, Mort Woods and Richard Taylor, alias “High-Card Dick.” Several drinks passed, and the party decided to break up. Then Toland’s $250 jeweled Masonic watch charm was missing. He demanded its return, and got it. Then a quarrel began, and Woods caned Toland across the face and head. Taylor interfered as a peacemaker. When things had quieted down Toland's S3OO diamond stud was gone from his shirt front. Toland went back to his hotel and notified the police. Woods, who is a gambler, was arrested at his home, and Was released under $2,000 bonds. Sheridan and; Taylor were captured at their lodgings. The diamond stud was recovered from a saldon porter named Steigelmeir. All Over the State. Adam Rasp suddenly disappeared from his hdme in’ South Bend Wednesday, and has not since been heard from. Elmer Willis, aged 19 and residing six miles north of Lebanon, committed suicide. About a year ago he was hypnotized by a traveling doctor, and since that time he has never been free from the hypnotic influence. Early in March he waa arrested, charged with arson, but was released a few days ago on a plea of insanity. Tuesday, about ■ noon, James McFar-

landj a prominent and wealthy farmer living four miles north of Union City, was swindled to the extent of S2OO by a tall, sleek-looking individual, representing himself as A United Stages marshal. McFarland had been to the city in the forenoon, and on returning home found a stranger at his house, who immediately placed him under arrest. Mr. McFarland was elected to the office of assessor last {fall and resigned, which the stranger claimed was illegal, and that he would have to accompany him to Indianapolis to stand {rial for the offense. He suggested, however, that the cheaper way for hL m out of the difficulty would be to settle the matter with him, naming the price at SSOO, to which Mr. McFarland objected. They finally compromised the matter by Mr. McFarland giving him his note for S2OO. After the stranger had left with the note Mr. McFarland and his son, who was present during the transaction, talked the matter over and came to the conclusion that he had been swindled. He notified all banks not to accept the note if presented. He can give no description of the fellow beyond that he was talk The neighborhood at Shelbyville in’ which Widow Wilson resides has been greatly annoyed of late by tramps. The other day two impudent fellows called and demanded something to eat. The watch dog was turned upon them and they left declaring vengeance. At 10 o’clock the family was awakened to find their fine barn on fire, and it was consumed, with eight head of horses and a large amount of implements, grain, etc. The loss will reach $4,000, with S7OO insurtnce.

Charles Sargent, a pauper, died at Anderson suddenly Thursday. Fifteen years ago Sargent was one of the wealthiest men in Cincinnati- He was known all along the Qhio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans as one’of the most lavish and generous men with his money that ever chartered sjiecial boats and took parties to New Orleans for three and four weeks as his guests. One. of., his closest friends and the last one to visit him was Captain Ewing of the Cincinnati ball team. When his money gave out he shut the door on the past, came to Anderson, then a country village, and lived a most obscure life. At Lafayette, Judge Taylor denied Jesse White a new trial and sentenced him to life imprisonment in the penitentiary. White fras convicted of the murder of Mrs. Hester Curtis. Arthur Hilliards, of Caseyville, waa taken from his home at that place Tuesday night by a large crowd of indignant citizens in the guise of white caps and unmercifully whipped, after which he was ordered out of the county. It is alleged that Hilliards abuses hM family, his wife washing for a living, that he deserts them, and only returns when she has saved up some money. The strike in the Indianapolis bituminous coal districts is leading to much destitution among the miners, and appeals for help are coming in from that debtion every day, some families being so reduced that they have not had a full meal for weeks and many being on the point of starvation. The labor unions have contributed liberally to the sufferers, but their needs are so great that the city authorities will be asked to authorise a general canvass in their behalf. The Board of Trade faaa been appealed to and will give something to the sufferers. Committees fronr the miners report that the situation is critical and the needs of the striking miners preening.