The record-union., 1893-04-29
AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY"
An Interesting Dissertation Thereon
by Rev. F. F. Jewell.
Qualities That Go to Make the True
American Citizen - Wherein
They Are Lacking.

The lecture of Rev. F. F. Jewell at the
Sixth-street Methodist Church last even
ing was a very able and entertaining one,
although the audience was not large. The
subject of the lecture was 1.-The Ameri-
can Sovereign" and the theme was
treated very philosophically, patriotic
ally and eloquently.
Mr.. Jewell defined the term sovereign
as applied to Americans to mean a great
deal that is not always exemplitied in
the character of the average American,
and the lecture contained considerable
severe comment and just criticism.
Commencing with the time of Wash
ington, he commended the improved
spirit OF democracy of the people as ma
ton, and compared the dignified and
courtly attitude assumed by Washington
to the far more simple and unostentatious
demeanor of the later Presidents.
He pictured Washington as being aus
tere and reserved in his authority, conde-
scending TO greet but few with easy rec
ognition, and rarely shaking hands with
the common people. lie referred to the
modern Presidential receptions, where the
Chief Executive of the Nation, plainly
attired and unostentatious, could be
dppIOdCllGO anu SAdhCA Ny bIC
hand.
The speaker saw in this the proper
spirit, which placed American manhood
upon true level, and drew the inference
that American sovereignty was not found
in political preierment. In this vein he
took occasion to review the characteris-
tics OF the American Nation to show in
what true sovereignty existed.
He touched upon the evils of an unre-
stricted Immigration, explaining how the
Pilgrim Fathers came to America to pre-
serve their principles and gain civil and
religious liberty; how in time the colon
les on the coast of the Atlantic had estab-
lished these principles, and how, when
they needed strength and support, in
vited the people of all lands to come
hither.
In time it seemed that America had be-
come neutral ground, and its hospitality
abused beyond its digestive capacity, like
the small boy who, overgorged, suffered
great pain, but couldn't say exactly what
| caused it, His hospitality he likened to
the farmer who would invite his friends
from all directions to come and betake of
his stores until he would be overwhelmed
and impoverished.
Mr.. Jewell deplored the tendency of
Americans to adopt foreign customs,
ideas and fashions, and told q humorous
anecdote of an uncouth American farmer
who went into a restaurant where he was
rendered bill OF fare printed in French.
he examined 1t from top to bottom in a
vain endeavor to find something he could
read and comprehend. Failing in this he
resolved upon revenge. He happened to
recall from his school memories few
Latin words, and when the waiter ap-
peared he assumed his most imposing
tone and asked:
| Have you got any ad valorem per
capita?"
The waiter in establishment replied,
No; there is none on the list"
Got any multum in parvo, then ?''
| The waiter, rather dazed, answered that
there was none of that either.
well, then," exclaimed the farmer,
bring Ine some E pluribus unump'
| The waiter by this time was greatly
confused, but managed TO say that article
was not on draught, either.
Have you any soupY'
"Oh, yes" the humbled waiter replied,
1--WE have soup"
well, then," calculated his guest,
bring me some soup, some bread, some
| meat and some coffee, and take this thing
away" intimating the bill of fare
The lecturer dwelt upon the social and
| political conditions, finding much to
criticise and much to stir patriotic eulogy,
| he reviewed the power of the mighty
dollar" and regretted and denounced the
lncllnatlOnS OF Americans to bow down
and worship the power of money.
| He likened the aggregation of capital in
the hands of a few to large reservoirs of
wealth-not unlike the reservoir of water
above Johnstown, which breaking de-
stroyed the valley below.
His comments on machine politics.
from ward primaries to the National con-
ventions, were severe. He thought
Americans did not exercise sovereignty
at the polls. In many places they did
not 60 to the polls and vote for their men
and principles, but went to the polls and
were voted by the machine.
He expressed himself strongly in favor
of woman suffrage, and believed the day
of reform would be when, arm-in-arm.
women marched to the ballot-box with
| their husbands.
The true sovereignty of Americans. he
held rested in their freedom from all rule
or bossism, and in their intellectual in
tegrity TO the spirit of the Constitution
and democratic equality.
The speaker delivered very patriotic
and powerful address, and proved him
self master of clear and forcible Ian
guage, never hesitating for words or cor
rect comparisons. He also introduced
many amusing anecdotes, and was fire.
quently interrupted by applause and
| laughter.