New-York tribune., 1891-04-24
THEY LOVE THEIR COUNTRY
FIRST MEETING OF THE PATRIA CLITB

Cvics was held at eheTrys under favorable auspices
last evening The objects of the club are lofty and
pfaiseworthy. In connection with the Institute IL
will endeavor to promote good government and incu,
cate feeling of patriotism in the breasts OF all
Americans; IL Will advocate a more thorough study
OF the science Of citizenship in the public schools
1t will start Of popular lectures upon sub
sects relating TO the affairs of government and the
duties Of citizenship and il will try to make every
American proud Of his native soil
The meeting last evening, which attended by
large plumber OF men and women, was pre-
sided by ex-Judge william H. ArnOux.
On the committee Of arrangements were ex-Judge
Warren Higley. La Sale A. Maynard, W. A. Platt,
James Stokes, James Talcott, Hamilton b. Tompkins
and Henry Randall Waite Shortly after O'Clock the
meeting, which was followed by dinner, was
sailed to order. Judge ArnOux in introducing Bishop
Coke OF the Diocese of Western Newfork, the first
speaker of the evening made pleasant reference
to the different way in which ministers of the gospel
looked upon the honor of citizenship to-day and a
generation ago. "Those," he added, who have be-
great spiritual preceptors can teach us in our
duties of citizenship. l therefore take pleasure In
presenting Bishop Coke" Loud was the applause
which greeted the Bishop After eloquent
welcome to the present and grateful tribute
to the part women had played in the history of our
country, he spoke in part follows:
speak q theologsn but Just as should speak
L IsIaelite, even 1 mere Deist. l
should delight recognize many an 1sraeite has
done. the honor which Christianity puts upon the
Testament the wellsprng Of law. The historic
Bible Of the AngoSaXon family our venerable version
I'm the vulgar tongue, S Of any man,
nor OF any one generation. 1t grew with
the growth OF language and Of our
freedom. Nobody educated Anglo
se1Ons who is ignorant of it, 1t is the foundation OF
our constitutional law. Reverently did George Washing
ION bow down his head to 1t when he took the oath
IS first President.
The Constitution, then, defines the American
Republic a Christian Nation; all the more
Christian because 1t admits all men to equal
rights provisions and only demands that they
shall not make form OF religion preteN Tor suo'
verting its fundamental character. Webster. Kent
and others have spoken Of Christianity as part OF the
law Of the land. 1t is enough for me to recognize
which they and the decisions OF our courts have
born than century, that the civilization
which our laws and Constitution created to protect Is
Christian civilization
Iti civilization which nothing but Christianity could
which must perish should an element pracucaly
snti-Christian prevail.
To standards Of civilization let me venture to add
nome considerations which the civic philosophy, in my
opnion must condescend 70 impress on the popular u
as means TO endthe great end Of reforming the National
srnt and making American citizens Americans
That Is perhaps the best sentence in the DecIarauoh
bf Independence which teaches decent respect Tor
the oranons Of be 10 from TO deny that
Intercourse older nations is doing much to denuy
as with the great family Of the world, and to introduce
among us much that tends social Improvement Yet
ovn that jealous Of anything that makes us mere
iv initiative people deprives of self adjusting ana
sefrespecting faculties that hnders the development OF
national ideas In literature In art in society," and IN man.
es that robs us right appreciate what becomes
on, sfmpl, Renublican estate Hence would command
a generous spirit of emulation disposition to foster
american learning The president OF the society has de
tcrbed our aim that of 'Inantaning hish
dass n, c,ttxenshp and government" and OF elevatng
the character citizen by such forceiul ana suote
Influences as develop character practically equai 70 the
claims Of the Republic upon the individual Foremost
among these L place traditions NO hatoh Gan oe
freat without recognized traditions.
The Bishop in ending his address. paid an eloqueht
,tbute "a the great writer's Of America, the beautiful
scenery of the land, and its institutions, and calico
bpop all Americans to learn to appreciate them
After the applause which followed the bishops
remarks had subsided ex-Judge Arnoux introduced
Austin Abbott who entertained the audience 1or nan
an hour After referring to some OF the lessons aus
ty American history and traditions, he spoke pdruS
as follows:
The present generation has seen and is probably
destined to see still larger scale great creSS9 III
,n.rcenariness do that men and women VINO
have been unselhsh are becoming meIcehSiS DuO = gu
not mistaken very classes throughout the country
who through ignorance incidence, or similar cnar"
,,c have been insensble the controlling lnuehcc o
money.retting are coming through educauCh anu Wv
awakening Of mental faculties to dlspoSluoh Vi S'H
helm and an ambition to make money. .,
The legislative branch Of our government was alneu
upon the theory that men OF wisdom COMMANDING tio
esencc Of the local communities should be sent to meet
On d.bestiye body to consider what measures oil egls
ation were necessary and to frame them IN inc DthC
manner The theory Of legsoture was 70 nave uis
wisdom OF few independently exercised for the goou
pf the whole community, In harmony VIII" N'e s'"
tendency OF pubic opinion. ~
At the present day the whole community are taKeh
Into conference subjects OF new legiSiauon' anu W
drawing OF bills is for the most part process "'h
roAs on all the state III anucpaO'on
~ IN. session Of the Legislature and during the session
Every volume Of statute book in recent years as
closes to the experienced eye great number OF instances
NJ laws altering general statute which were uraiUeu
merely for the purpose meeting the case of particular
Individual or corporation.
% same tendencies 70 substitute material interests and
neIzonal advantage in place OF public duty show them
selves in relation citizens to the judiciary depart
,nent do not hesitate say that the most serious
evil under it abors is the reluctance OF cit|ehs
dc their duty jurors in administering lusuce oe'"e.
kh.ir fellow citizens The reluctance OF inthgehU e
D, render this service and the consequent nonehoce-
msnt OF the law where there is such reluctance results
in inferior es and inferior uries excite the aversion
Of many intelligent tO the whole system.
Now under popular government jury service - 'Ae
srindow through which dsntcrested community al
large looks upon the conduct OF Judges anu ".eis
our safeguard against country where hefe 10
No crown to supervise courts is in ole iaco aV o
veysge citizens OF the country required 10 come To-
esrer several times year, taking turns In witnessing a.
critical observers details of the court proceedings %
rulings OF the Judge and his instructions ana are re9u
to compare opinions upon the result in each case, -
But the neglect Of duty leads oo'h ulreOe9 'u "
directly TO dissatisfaction with TINS SYSTEM anU ~
for its abolition. not yet ready 70 dispense WIN
It. Now attorney cannot fairly advise sun ue, %
he thinks he can get TO agree that ms cen'
right II a majority verdict be enough your ao'eT'
raw Will be advised you If there Is lar o"d'0'
So =. ga. o.. seven against fye-that is, II IL Is any
thing more than an even chance Litigation oil uouo''
fu claims would be much easier ana more inviting
by such change. The responsibility of INC !uuseS
The nubIc would be obviously diUinlshed by aoahoolhs
the system. ., -, 81.
II nave rightly interpreted these tendencles OF e
times they teach emphatic terms ha' we heeu ~. 1
.ate ~ all oerartments Government revival OF Me
sound nrncps OF good citizenship TO modify the pressure
Of supposed material interests under which there Is 50
much danger OF public mischief.
shor, addresses were also made by exJudge Hlgley,
Uohn jay and Professor COOK OF Rutgers
CoIege Among those who sat at the am
-, ,ouo,,od tho meeting were Mr..