In an address, made not long before his death, Bishop Potter, of New
York, said:
About a year ago there came into my study in New York some one
whom I had never seen, a stranger whose name sent in upon his
card I did not recognize, and whose errand I could not divine.
“Sir,” he said, “I am from such and such a part of the country.
In that part of the country a very fierce political campaign
is now in progress. One of your clergy is attacking from the
pulpit the moral character and moral standards of a gentleman, a
candidate there for a very high office, whom I represent.”
I said: “I have not got any clergymen out in that part of the
world. I have no more jurisdiction there than you have.” He
said: “Perhaps not in the sense you mean, but it is one of your
men.” “Thank God for that,” said I. “As he came from here he
believes in you, and he thinks that sort of talk is his duty.”
“What do you want me to do?” I asked. “I want you to stop it,”
said he, “and I am authorized by the distinguished gentleman
whom I represent to say that if you will stop it he will make it
worth your while.”
I felt like saying, “I will come high.” I got up and walked to
the door. I opened it and stood there. He looked there a moment
in some perplexity. I said: “Does it not occur to you, sir, that
this interview is at an end.” He went out.
I mention that incident as a proof of the statement I have made
here. Here was a person in a distant part of the country, a
candidate for a very high position, who had not the smallest
hesitation in sending an emissary to me with an intimation
that if I were prepared to silence a speaker who was saying
disagreeable things that money would be put to make it worth my
while. I am saying that with that symptomatic you can not ignore
the appalling significance of such a condition of things. (Text.)
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