KinSource - Tale of the Week

KinSource

Minnesota Musings

The Minneapolis Journal (Evening), December 4, 1885, p. 2

WICKED ST. PAUL.

It is with great satisfaction that THE JOURNAL observes that the state association of Young Men's Christian Association is in session at St. Paul. In general THE JOURNAL prefers that the custom of choosing Minneapolis for the sitting of conventions of one kind and another should be observed; but it recognizes the eminent propriety of having all bodies of a missionary or reformatory character appoint their annual convocations in St. Paul. St Paul, we regret to say, is a very wicked city. It is wicked not only as a matter of fact, but designedly, maliciously, and consciously wicked. It chooses the wicked course of life by annual ballot, when the issues are sharply presented, and when the evils of a corrupt moral system and a wide open policy have been observed through the practical operations of many successive administrations. Appeal after appeal has been made to the citizens to revolutionalize this state of things, but without avail. St. Paul wants to be wicked, likes to be wicked, and will be wicked. It is infested with wicked saloonkeepers, wicked gamblers. wicked cyprians, wicked prize-fighters, wicked aldermen, wicked contractors, wicked politicians, wicked editors, wicked state and county and city officers, and if the recent newspapers are to be believed, naughty and wicked preachers. Hence, we repeat that it is plainly the duty of all religious and reformatory bodies of whatever character to hold their sessions in St. Paul. That veteran and respected fighting Christian, Thomas Cochran, Jr., recognized this fact in pertinant language at the opening of the session of the State Y.M.C.A. yesterday. He said the work of the association and the sessions of the body would make St. Paul a better city. We are delighted to find that Mr. Cochran is in so hopeful a frame of mind. But when he turns back upon himself and recalls how many gallant fights he has made with the legions of wickedness and corruption in St Paul, and been worsted, he will admit that his sanguine and ebullient nature has led him slightly astray. But if he could induce the state society to permanently camp in St. Paul, and watch and pray nightly and daily, and wrestle with the mayor, the aldermen, the police, the contractors, the editors, the politicians, the naughty portion of the clergy, the denizens of the state capitol and with the members of the legislature when it is in session, there might be ground for hope that in the course of a century or two some grain of comfort might result. We commend this course to Mr. Cochran, and will promise him the aid and encouragement of Minneapolis in every possible way. Minneapolis is not without grave concern regarding the brimstone tendencies of her sister city. She has endeavored by example and precept for many long years to win her from the error of her ways, but thus far without avail. St. Paul is the Sodom of the Northwest. It may have a single citizen outside of the ranks of the Y.M.C.A. and an occasional visitor from Minneapolis who is sufficiently good to protect it from deserved destruction, though we venture this sentence only as a subjunctive or conditional phrase, and not as a practical probability. St. Paul is wedded to her idols. But we do not say "let her alone." We say to Mr. Cochran and his noble army of young Christians, pray for her and pray unceasingly. The praying of the association may some day put a stop to the preying of the people.