National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-22

honors have gpread Sfrom the hamlet of his
nativity, in tho heart OF Germany, auown
tho waters Of time, in over widening circles
until they have encompasied the world.
Four centuries from the date of his BIRTH ana
5000 miles from the scenes ofhis labors, on tho
borders Of q continent then undiscovered, in
the capital of a wonderful nation then uu.
born, we gather from far and near around tne
monument Of Martin Luther, wrought IN
enduring bronze from the mines of Germany
and transported over the intervening land
and sea to stand amid the other memorials OF
patriotism and yeneration that adorn ouT
beautiful city. Justice Miller, Of the supreme
court prOsdes over those ceremonies. Senators
and representatives in congress bring their
homage of respect from multtudes OF people
from their several states ministers OF all
Crceds and Christians of common faith and
all who demand complete liberation Of roli'
gious belief aro assembled hero tn rondor
their tribute of respect TO the momory of tho
groat Reformer and TO dedicate this enduring
monument in the court of this Lutheran Mo-
mortal church, on the border of circle al
ready adorned with splendid statue Of one
OF our most illustrious soldier heroes
What has Luther dOue-this peasant boy
Of Eisleben? This sweet singer of Eson-
bach? This young Augustinian monk of
Erfurt2 This secluded prisoner Of Wartburgf
This professor In tho university Of Wittem-
burg? This reformer of Germany This
loved and venerated apostle Of ChristendomP
Indeed, what great things must he not have
done to have won and worn the high esteem,
the ardent affection, tho more than imperial
honors and worldwide ronown that crowned
him in ifo, and enshrined his memory in tho
hearts of succeeding generations SO long as
times endures."
The speaker then reviewed Luthers life
and conquest. He added, Luther walked
in the valley Of humiliation and he strode
along the high places ofpower. He comforted
-. n Al. H..
athemas upon the proudest in their sins. He
ever bore upon tho folds of his banner the
motto and watchword, The just shall live by
faith liberty of conscience, personal RESPONSE
bility of man, an existence of probation on
earth tho resurrection of the body, and the
immortality Of the SOUL" With such theme
rounding the tragic history Of every spirit
that emerges unconscious from the unrOvealod
beginning of existence to tread henceforth
the dark or the luminous pathways of etor.
ternity--
We feel our immortality o'ersweep
Al time, pll tears, all pain, MI fears.
Pealng like the eternal thunders of the deep
This truth into our ears
Ye live forever
The speaker concluded by placing Luthors
na1ne among those great, those immortal
names that were not born to die"
During Senator Conger's remarks tho Ger
man societies that had pRraded the principal
pliObtn Vi ehp WY nppOalbN anu hhNAbANt W
tho statue with bands playing and banners
and flags flying.
At the conclusion of Haudel's Hallelujah
chorus by the Marine band, Rev. J. G. Morris,
d. d. Ii. D., tho second orator, was
introduced: He began by raising both
hands and exclaiming in loud voice,
"All hail to the whole Protestant COM
munity of our land. After months Of
trial and much opposition we behold
to-day the grand completion of our work, and
an event never before witnessed in the United
States. Jurist lawyer, statesman, and soldier
have been honored ip marble and bronze, but
never this man who 10 greater than them all.
Among the galaxy of stars that studded the
heavens during Luther's time he shone forth
brighter than the brightest Tho echoes Of
his voice, first raised before the diet of
Worms, will never cease to be heard. At
this lato day his writings are being generally
quoted and books arc being written about him
and his great work. His luster grows brighter
with time. God brought Luther out and
pointed out to him the errors of the church.
Like another John tho Baptist he dlsin-
tered the gospel from the fostering and foul
grave of Romanism. The attention Of tho
multitudes was aroused and q sensation cre-
ated. The Bible had been rosurrected from
piles Of rubbish wheroit had been allowed to
remain for hundreds Of years by the power
that tried TO extingush science and bury
literature in papal cells. The Bible was
mildewed, the sacred altar concealed by idols
and tinsel decorations, and the people de-
graded, when Luther, single, solitary
monk, armed with Biblo, gave liberty to
the world"
"How are we 10 account for this excitement
in the Protestant world to-day about Martin
Luther? Is Professionalism in danger? Is 1t
failure? Never. IL controls 4Ss 600, 900 of
people, while its rivals, including the Roman
Catholics and Greek church only control q
little over 2o0,00o,000, Tho number Of Prot
estants is increasing aud the power of the
church Is growing. 1t publishes millions of
Bibles every year. It's missionaries are
bearing the light to heathens in all
parts of the world. II promotes
commerce and agriculture, establishes
churches, schools, and newspapers, encour-
ages railroads and steamship lines, and con-
tributes generally TO the blessings of liberty
and prosperity. Professionalism is not de-
clining, but it has set its face in deadly oppo-
stion to the power that would destroy our
public schools aud prevent the Bible from
being read in them. The Roman church ig-
nores all holidays appointed by the Presi-
dent or any governor of state. Observe
next Thanksgiving day if you hear
any Roman Catholic church bells
ringing, or If you see any devout
Romanist going TO worship on the day set
apart by our president as national holiday.
! have bad men watching, and they have re-
ported that this is o fact. They do not
recognize them, because they arc not set
aside by the pope"
CAT this point another section of the plat
form fell, but nobody was injured.)
~ was talking about tho fall Of Rome
Dhouted tho speaker and the crowd ap-
plauded and laughed. at was Luther
work" he concluded, THAT produced polti'
cal freedom and the freedom Of the press"
Justice Wood then stepped forward and
said I'VE will now disclose TO your view the
counterfeit presentment of n man who pre-
sented TO the world the right Of free thought
"A lover Of tho human race whose nRms
shall stand as the cmancipator Of humanity
Martin Luther" Tho justice then tool, Mr.
w. w. Corcoran by the hand and said: ".rhI
lot Of disclosing this noble tribute falls Il
your old and respected townsmGn Hon, w
w. CorcoTan" MIR, CorcoTan seized the Iopt
and tugged away it, but the flag would no
fall. Finally two men climbed up adde
and tore the flag away. AS it fell 70 thC
ground the dense crowd cheered Justify anc
the Marine band struck up Luther's battlC
hymn, Elm Feste Burg"
Tho closing scene was the most impressive
of all. Bishop Payne, the venerGh!s and
in6rm colored bishop oftho a. n, t. church
stepped forward and raising his hands until
silence had been restored, uttered the bene
diction IN tremulous tones.
The Luther statue ia magnificent addi
tion to tho public statuary for which Wash
inRton is noted. 1t was cast in Germany
and is an exact counterpart Of the centra
figure of the celebrated group at Worms, thu
II, IA A,v I.,Nl