National Republican., 1875-06-09
Address of Mr.. Smith.

lows:
Address of Mr.. Smith.
Sir knights Of Saint Augustine: Accept my sim
ceIe thanks for this renewed expression of your
Confidence esteem, and recognition of my services
ss yorr commanding 0fficer during the past year,
| by re-electing me to preside over and command
| your organization for a second term. No greater
mark Of appreciation can be more substantial than
the voluntary selection Of one OF your associates
to direct the affairs of your comm1ndery. and
reFosing in him the confidence, secrets and the
authority vested in the honorable and responsible
ONCE of commander, position pregnant with so
many end perplexing difficulties that indeed too
frequently It is rendered doubtful to the hon.
ored and elevated whether he is capable to dis
charge the Offices of so important trust. For
proper fulfllment Of the duties devolvlng upon
the office, experience, diligence, and faithiulness
should be the controlling influences when max
ing elections or appointments to execute or ad-
minister any trust residing in It, aud should at
au times command the serious, interested and un-
ided attention Of the best material associa-
ton may possess.
Entering upon the second year of the estab-
lishment Of this number OF the Knights of Saint
Augustine, increased improvement in its moral,
religious and
SOCIAL USEFULNESS
is looked to with the most anxious solictude BY
all who feel an interest IN the building and the
welfare Of such institutions rnd associations that
are conducive to the promotion Of higher stand
ard of moral, social and ChrisSlln ciVIliz zltion.
How shall we accomplish this much desired re-
suit and the principal object sought by establish
ing this commandery? We must adopt and sub.
ject ourselves to the great principles upon which
this association is founded and practice the beau
tiful examples far as possible, and as will COM
port with the dignity of the life aud confessions
Of that distinguished doctor of the Holy Catholic
Church, whose pame this eommandery has the
honor and pleasure to bear, Saint Augustine
Bishop Of Hippo.
Ire life OF this great aud glorious sa'ut was so
teautifu!; IFS confessions full and complete in
every particular necessary to the salvation of our
souls, portraying to mankind with SO much clear
ness the necessity Of eonstsucy and diligence to
our spiritual and material duties; SO plainly does
bis writings and his lie, as we read, admonish
of the narrow escape we make from the dangerous
and seductive influences to which we are daily
and hourly subjected, even at the worry moment
we are the more earnestly engaged
DIsCHARGINs OUR DUTY
as faithful children Of God and useful members Of
society, ought to awaken in US q Jealous determi-
nation TO accomplish results that shall reflect
alike creditsbly upon the commandery and It's in
divIduAlIty, and its usefulness as organization
in this community and throughout the entire
country. We cannot afford to go backward or
fail to encourage with the highest consciousness
the important responsibility resting upon Us by
he adoption as our standard the name Of one OF
the most brilliant doctors Of the Church, Saint
Augustine, and the Church at all times quotes him
as one Of its brightest, most learned and accom-
plished authorities with great pride and mex
pressible satisfaction. The idea suggesting the
formation of this commandery, and the assump-
tion Of the name that we have, can be better and
more fully cOmprehended by reading the prOduc-
tions from the pen Of this great saint than can be
by my quoting merely few extracts from them;
therefore have simply referred to those works
with view TO impress you with the importance
and the satisfaction of the information to be OBJ
tanned for your own edihcation BY reading your
selves that you can form the proper idea Of his
life and character, and adopting for the govern
ment Of ourselves and this organization his rule
and its most rigid application to our course with
the view to bring about that degree Of improve
ment that
SOCIETY MOST NEEDS
in this generation. And in this great work this
eommandSry, by adopting the name 1t has so we'll
and fittingly, has its share apportioned to It.
And every man having taken the character Of .
knight in this morAlreligious drama, must know
that he is knIghted in the interest Of humanity
and religion, and must see to It that his mere as
sociation with this organization will not accom-
plish the end, nor discharge the obligation to
which he Voluntarily subscribss. He must, by
good example, exemplary and industrious habits,
and general good conduct, command the admlrs-
tiOn and esteem Of all citizens and people Of the
land. 1t is highly necessary to possess and
.prsctice those qualities and q good department
without which we must fall to achieve the victory
which we all SO much desire. To accomplish re-
suits men mlst have knowledge Of their wants,
not such as are too often imaginary but their &C.
tusl and real. We should thus apply the rule
so to effect the object you may have in view.
We, as a class, have been, and are to-day,
peculiarly unfortunate in many respects The
dreadful and demoraliZing Influences Of slavery
have worked so Odistressingly damaging and disss-
trous that its very atmosphere is abominating
and disgusting to free aud enlightened people
And It meets US upon the threshold Of almost
every attempt toward our advancement, either
morally, mentally or physically, aud in the
business and commercial avenues OF life. And
so appalling is the
MENTAL DEPRAvTTY
and distress that this national curse has produced
thatitrenders 1t the more important that we should
seize with an anxious and earnest grasp every
opportunity to improve this deplorabIe condition,
to which that infamous Institution has left US.
And we are to look to q higher power for assist
snce rather than ourselves to be elevated from
this loathEoue condition-indeed, so degrading
that it too often makes US subjects Of contumely
mockery and pity In the eyes and oat OF the mouth
u
Wrongfully absorbed and used against Us every
element Of our manhood. This cannot be gain
said, and the sooner the fact is admitted and the
necessary reforms instituted the more advan-
tageous It will be to the oppressed and the former
oppressor.
Sobriety and temperance IN all our habits and
tastes ought at all times to be encouraged and
praeticed These too are qualities that are really
necessary to ones success. As q man presents
himself in the community or to another, so in
proportion to his appearance and demeauor he
is respected. So that we ought to uss all our
power to encourage that degree Of manly and
personal pride and independence that shall in
woke the most favorable commentary from the
most respected and cultivated Of our felloW.citi-
Eens.
BE CAREFUL AND DISCREET
at all times. We ought never to be guilty Of an
act either of a private or public nature, which
would in the furthest degree reflect dishonor
upon this eommandery or any individual thereof.
1t is true that we have many obstacles, detrac-
tions and Vexations; distractions that too FIRE.
quently arouse our passions to an angry and re-
vengeful degree, and as o consequence we allow
ourselves too often to indulge in profaue and
blasphemous language. 1, therefore, conjure you
who may be addicted TO such practices to avoid
the use Of such language that is so offensive and
revolving to every sense Of deeency and respect
ability.
Whatever may be the difficulties that we may
possibly encounter, let determine that the pur-
poses for which this commandery :was founded.
with the assistance Of God, the prayers OF Saint
Augustine and the faithful Of the Church prose-
cute our work to successful end upon the prlncI-
pies Of true Christian charity, with hrmness In
the conviction that we have the confidence and
support Of each other in this. great communion Of
causes and interest.
Onward must and shall be the watchword. Not
confined TO this land alone, its power and influence
shall be felt in every part OF the world where civ
niEation has developed its fruits in its onward |
march. Upward shall be the advancing course to |
take in this community and among
THE CATHOLIC MILLIONS VS.
ofthe world, nd trust that we shall produce |
rssulsn every of view that will re-
dound the glory ofour manhood and the general |
good OF mankind. And these remarks are as ap- |
plicable to the eases Of many members Of this |
commsndery a. It is to those who are not among
us. Coed Will and friendship toward all should |
be cultivated; no spirit Of animosity or narrow
49, NJ.