Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-22
PATRIOTIC SUBJECTS
Chosen by Local Clergymen in Honor
of the Birthday OF
THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.
Matters OF National Interest Discussed
From The Pulpit.
ONE DISCOURSE on THE MARRIAGE VOW

a large congregation filled to its utmost
capacitv the Smithield Street Methodist
Episcopal Church Yesterday morning. Rev.
Charles Edward Locke preached a patriotic
sermon, appropriate to Washington's Birth
dav. The church was decorated with flags,
and national hymns were sung. The sub
iect OF the sermon was ''Our Republic its
foes: its friends" In substance he said:
'On the eve of our great patriots one
hundred and sixtieth birthday anniversary
we are reminded that he, who was first in
war. first in peace and first in the hearts of
his countrymen,' WIS a careful husbandman
OF the nations great principles. We are liv-
1.g to-day in tile midst OF. the fragrance
and truitage of this devoted mans conse-
Grated enCeavor.
Religion and patriotism are twin virtues
The religious man who is unpatriotic is to
that extent irreligious. The patriot who is
lrrellgiOus lacks to that extent truest 10y
atty. There ore let the Stars and Stripes be
untuTled in this temple of God; let the tread
be heard in these aisles of men who at
sacred affairs have taken solemn vows to de-
fend the Republic, and let the people of God
supplicate heaven most sincerely for the
protection and preservation OF the Union.
Origin of the Sentiment.
But whence the idea of Liberty? What
was the origin of this sceptered sentiment
this majestic pOwer-which is knocking at
the doors of the nations of the earth, aNd
whose torches are tightening the harbors of
world? Surely Rome did not bequeath it to
Us. Rome did not recognize any personality
but C9sar-the citizen lost his individuality
i'm the masses. When Constantine ex-
changed the muddy Tiber for the deep blue
waters OF the Bosphorus he tenaciously
retained ali the romD and splendor
OF the crown and scepter. GuZot
q =
tribes, which deposited this principle
in the cradle of modern civiliZa-
ton Yes, but that was not all. for Bethle-
hems Babe had lain first in that humble
cradle. Modern liberty had its origin when
rne veil OF the temple was rent in twain
and the spirit OF God came forth to trans
form the individual from one of the herd to
the temple of the living God.
'Our ideal Republic has many virulent
and vicious enemies, and must be indefati-
gably protected against these ubiquitous
foes Our individuality is attacked. An
attempt is made to wrest from us that which
gives to us our identity in the galaxy of
nations Nothing is working so successfully
in this direction as practically unrestricted
foreign immigration. NE time has come,
not for prohibitorv legislation, for we want
still to invite to our shores the faithful, hon
est labOrer of any cline, but we must pro-
tect ourselves against the filth which is
daily dumped INTO our cities.
Where the Danger Lies.
1--WE cannot assimilate the heterogeneous
elements and in little while must fulfill the
prophecy of European nations that this
Republic cannot perpetuate itself, because it
cannot manage itself We must not permit
IN this country a little ItaIy, ora little Bohe-
mia, or little Spain, or a little China. Those
who accept our hospitality must learn our
language, read our papers and cultivate
loyalty and love for our principles of gov
ernment.
"Our great weapon OF defense is endang-
ered-the ballot DoX. The ballot is the citi-
Zen's sword. 1t must be handled deftly and
sagaciously. The peril which here faces the
bepublic l. the power of Tdmnfany rings,
political bosses and City Hall combinations
IN all our great cities, Transforming indi-
Vldual voters into most obedient automa-
tons. Political parties occupy an indis-
pensahle place in democratic form OF gov
ernment but the very ends of such orgari-
cations are defeated unless principle is
always paramount to partisanship."
The speaker closed his earnest sermon
with description of the nations best de-
tense, which he said was a nan-brave
loyal, vigilant pTayerful and righteous. The
ideal citizen must be cons istent Christian
citizen.