y followers on
the 4th of November. His forces will gradually go to one side or
the other. It is only when some great principle is at stake that
thousands of men are willing to vote with a known minority.

_Question_. But what about the Prohibitionists?

_Answer_. They have a very large following. They are fighting
for something they believe to be of almost infinite consequence,
and I can readily understand how a Prohibitionist is willing to be
in the minority. It may be well enough for me to say here, that
my course politically is not determined by my likes or dislikes of
individuals. I want to be governed by principles, not persons.
If I really thought that in this campaign a real principle was at
stake, I should take part. The only great question now is protection,
and I am satisfied that it is in no possible danger.

_Question_. Not even in the case of a Democratic victory?

_Answer_. Not even in the event of a Democratic victory. No State
in the Union is for free trade. Every free trader has an exception.
These exceptions combined, control the tariff legislation of this
country, and if the Democrats were in power to-day, with the control
of the House and Senate and Executive, the exceptions would combine
and protect protection. As long as the Federal Government collects
taxes or revenue on imports, just so long these revenues will be
arranged to protect home manufactures.

_Question_. You said that if there were a great principle at stake,
you would take part in the campaign. You think, then, that there
is no great principle involved?

_Answer_. If it were a matter of personal liberty, I should take
part. If the Republican party had stood by the Civil Rights Bill,
I should have taken part in the present campaign.

_Question_. Still, I suppose we can count on you as a Republican?

_Answer_. Certainly, I am a Republican.

--_Evening Post_, San Francisco, California, September 16, 1884.

INGERSOLL CATECHISED.

_Question_. Does Christianity advance or retard civilization?

_Answer_. If by Christianity you mean the orthodox church, then
I unhesitatingly answer that it does retard civilization, always
has retarded it, and always will. I can imagine no man who can be
benefitted by being made a Catholic or a Presbyterian or a Baptist
or a Methodist--or, in other words, by being made an orthodox
Christian. But by Christianity I do not mean morality, kindness,
forgiveness, justice. Th