Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-07
PATRIOTISM POLHTCS.
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS CONTRIBUTES AN
ABLE PAPER UPON
Ths.Prineiplss Of Good Citizenship in tie April
Number Of he ~NoTth American Re-
VisRe-A Very Comprehensive Al
staci Of the Article.

not abdicated nor abridged on becoming a
Christian prelate, and the sacred character
which profess, far from lessening, rather
increases. my obligations 70 my country.
in an answer % those who affirm That
churchman is not qualified TO discuss pOll-
ties. BY reason OF his sacred calling which
removes him from the political arena.
would say that this statement may be true
in the sense that a clergyman as sucn
should not be a heated partisan OF any
pOlical party but IL is not true IN the sense
that be Is untitled by his sacred profession
for discussing political principles. His
very secluSiOn from popular agitation gives
him vantage ground over those that are
in the whirlpool OF party strife, Just as they
who never witnessed Shakespeare's plays
performed on the stage are better qualified
70 judge Of the genius Of tue author and
tue literary merit Of his productions than
they who witness the plays amid the en-
vironmont Of stage scenery.
IL is needless 70 say that / write not
merely as a churchman, but as a citizen;
not IN a partisan, but patriotic spirit; not
in advocacy OF any particular party, but IN
vindication Of pure government There IS
a moral side 70 most political questions;
and my purpose here IS TO consider the eth
ical aspects Of politics, and the principles
of justice by which they should regulated.
Every man IN the Commonwealth leads
a dual ife-a private life under the shadow
Of the home, and a public life under the
agis OF the state. AS father, husband
or a son, he owes certain duties 70 the fam
ily; as a citizen, he owes certain Obliga-
tions 70 his country These civic virtues
are 81 comprised under the generic name,
patriotism.
PATRIOTISM MEANS LOVE or COUNTRY.
Let a citizen from Maine meet a citizen
from California on the shores Of the Bos-
phorus or on the banks Of the Tiber, they
viii, at once, forget that az nome tney
dwelt three thousand miles apart State
lines are Obliterated, party differences are
laid aside, religious animosiues, II such
had existed. are eXunguished. They warm
~ clasp hands, they remember only that
thew are fellow American citizens, children
OF the same mother, fellOw-dwelers in the
same land over which floats the star
spangled banner.
Patriotism implies not only love OF soil
aud Of fellow citizens, but also. and prinCi-
pally, attachment 20 the laws, Institutions,
aud government Of ones country; hlial adj
miratiOn Of the heroes, statesmen, and men
Of genius, who have contributed 10 its re-
nOWn by the valOr Of their arms the wisdom
of their counsel, or their literary fame. 10
includes, also, an ardent zeal Tor the main
tenance Of the sacred principles that secure
10 the citizens freedom Of conscience, and
IN earnest determination 70 cOnsecrate his
life, If necessary, pro arts e focts, IN defence
OF altar and hreside, OF God and Father
land. Patriotism is universal sentiment
OF the race:
sBreathos there the man with soul so dead
Who never % himself hath said.
'rhis is my own, my native iand"'
Love Of country shows itself in the citi-
zen BY the observance Of law and the good
use of political rights, and in those that,
for the time being, govern, by justice and
disinteredness in their administrator
Ministers Of religion manifest their patriot
ism, not only as citizens, but also as Spir-
itual teachers and leaders Of the people, by
intoxicating the religious, moral and civic
virtues. and by prayer 70 the throne Of
God for the welfare Of the land.
The Catholic Church IN our country is
not unmindfui of this duty. Aprayer com
posed BY Archbishop Carroll 70 beg Heav-
ems blessing on the land and its rulers,
masterpiece OF hturgical literature, is re-
cited every Sunday az the solemn service
in some parts OF the United States, and
notably 10 the Cathedral at Baltimore in
which the custom has never ceased since 10
was introduced by Balrimore's first Arch
bishop, over one hundred years ago.
LoYE FoR THE STAR sPANGLED BANNER.
Patriotism finds outward and, so to say,
material expression, in respect for the tag
that symbolizes the country, and for the
Chief Magistrate who represents 10. Per-
haDs 10 is only when an American travels
abroad that he fully realizes how deep
rooted is his love for his native country.
The sentiment Of patriotism, which may be
dormant at home, is aroused and quickened
in foreign lands.
The sight Of an American flag flying
from the mast Of a ship in mid-ocean or in
some foreign yort, awales nnwonted emo
ton and enthusiasm
lows COUNTRY NEXT To GOD.
Next TO God, our country should
hold the strongest place in our affections
Impressed, as we ought 10 be, with pro-
found sense Of the blessings which our sys-
TEN Of government continues 20 OeStOw on
Us, we shall have a corresponding dread
lest these blessings should be withdrawn
from US. II isa sacred duty for every Amer
lean 10 do all ia his power 10 peTpetuste our
civil institutions and TO avert the Dangers
that threaten them.
The system Of government which obtains
IN the United States is tersely described m
the well-knOwn sentence: "a government
Of the people, BY the people, for the PEG
plc,n which may be paraphraSed thus:
are ruled by the representatives Of their
own choice, and for the benefit OF the peo-
PIE themselves.
Our rulers are called the servants Of the
people. since they are appointed to fulfu
the peoples wishes; and the people are
called the sovereign people, because il is by
their sovereign voice that their rulers are
elected.
The method by which the supreme vii,
81 -
This is the oracle that prOclaims their
choice. This is the balance in which the
merits Of the candidates are weighed.
The heavier scale determines az once the
decision OF the majority and the selection
OF the candidate.
And what spectacle is moro sublime
than the sight Of ten millions Of citizens
determining, not by the bullet. but by the
ballot, the ruler that is 20 preside over the
nations destinies for four years
"a weapon tha. comes down a. still
AssnowiaSes fall upon the sod;
Brt executes freemau's will
As lightning does the viii OF God:
And ron It's force nor doors nor locks
Can shield you, It's the ballOt-box'
DEBAUCBERY OF THE BALLOT-BoN.
Our Christian civilization gives US no
immunity from political corruption aud
disaster The Oft-repeated cry of election
frauds should not be treated with indiffer-
enoe, though, ia many instances, no DOUBT
IL IS the empty charge OF defeated partiSans
against successful rivals, or the heated
language OF party press.
But after ell reasonable allowances are
made, enough remains OF a substantial
character 70 be Ominous. lnevery possible
way, by tickets insidiOusly printed, by
t'cOlOniziug.n repeating and persona
ton, - frauds are attempted, and too often
successfully, on the ballot. / am informed
BY a Trustworthy gentleman that, in GER
tain localities, the adherents OF one party,
Shile proof against brides from their POI
cal opponents, will exact compensation