The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-02-10

fres xerciise and to the
OF orr oonstit 1nustt treat all relii,sss
gions md the adhersnts of every religioh d
On = bssls of inn rtial equality. Onr
grand Cover ment il / not guilty of the 4
stupid blunder 81 tolerating any religi on,
sector denomination, but conscious Of
the blessing that reli ZION brings to every
people, it treats all, alike with respect
and with honor, and has special favor in !.
store for none. May that day never
dawn when the American people, un-.'
mindful 81 the firm reliance Of the faith
ers Of the republic on divine providence,
shall forget their respect Tor religion, the
snrest safeguard for authority and the
best barrier against license and social
anarchy. The proud title Of American
citizen Is the noblest that any citizen OF
the world can wear. Let no man prove
himself unworthy Of the honor by ignor-
ing the constitutional rights Of others,
the same rights he himself longs to enjoy
Our glorious government is strong. not
by the power Of armed men, but in the
devoted affections ofa free, q oontented
and 9 prosperous people. We enjoy lib
erty Of conscience, the most blessed boon
longed tor by civilized man. We recog-
ni2e no class nor creed distinctions; we
have NO criterion OF birth, of race or ma.
tion; the only criteri N that we recognize
is the criterion OF individual merit and.
of individual worth and We are ready to.
give to every man the credit that is his
due. Our faults and defects the great
people Of this united nation are able to
correct and amend. The republic finds
the only test OF good citizenship that it
requires in the loyalty OF its Citizens to
the constitution they are sworn to de-
fend, no matter under what sky they
were born. Our government f1;e.s pledged
q nations faith To protect the sacred
rights Of citizenship and has the author.
ity ana power to perform its whole duty
in Kidding our faar land, il necessary, OF
the foul presence Of those who are free;
dom's foes and tends against humanity
when they plot against American Liberty
Ihe courage, strength aud stability OF
this free republic were vlndicated before
the world wnen auarcny was led to the
soafoid few years ago inthe city OF
Chicago. Tho thrones Of the old world,
supported in their decline by battaiicns
of armed men, did not futiy appreciate
tine mighty strength OF thus nation of
freemen untA they witnessed anarcny's
fate, decideu by legitimate authority
tnas derives its enduring power from the
support ct freeGnmi truest friends.
Every American cltlzsn feels himseh &C.
ealreftn the enjoyment ct his iDsiienable
|lfignta and ADsruss only when every
other citizsn ia this fair land is protected
(by law snd sustained VI pubic opinion,
ins the exereass of those sacred rights
which our bright banner OF freedom de-
lends. Every citizens rights are men
nced Whsn his fellow oiJizsn's liberties
are assaiied. The strength OF govern
naent by the people, for the people,
lies in safeguarding the freedom and
rights Of all. NO man is safe from injus,,
tice wn1ie the psopl. permit the Aod-
gwen rights Of men to be ignored.
Two Influences in q special manner
menace the rights and prerogatives Of
American eitizensMp-oath bound con-
splracies against individuals and tho H.
quor saloon.
! Secret, Oath- bound associations of ig-
Iorant and unscrupulous men, after the
manner OF midnight assasslns, plotting
against the sacred and constitutional
rights OF their fellow men. aira their pois.
onsd arrows directly at the heart, the
life-source of popular liberty. They
must of necessity be short,Aved in
country like ours, but during their in
glorious existence they disturb fraternsl
relations and inftcs great injury upon
the sacred cause OF human freedom.
Those who encourage or support suoh
unlawful conspiraoles against the rights
Ut man, are no friends OF American lib.
erty, are disloyai to the land that gives
them shelter and are dishonor and
discredit to the American name. Our
constitution needs no tinkering, it stands
for human equality. IF any onange is
needed" as George Bancroft has we'll
said, lit is in ourselves, that we may
more and more respect that primal law
This government is capable of guarding
1t own welfare, and does not need the
secret plottings Of blatant demagogues
and mock patriots toprotect it against
going to dangerous extremes in granting
equal rights TO all. Those who are dis