Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-30
SOME NATIONAL PERILS
As Pointed Out in Rabbi Storms Thanks
giving Sermon.
The Many Blessings Which the Ameri.
can Nation Have Good Cause to
he Thankful For.

Gay was held yesterday at the Eighth Street
Synagogue. Rabbi Stern preached a SER
mon appropriate to the day. He said that
while the observance Of Thanksgiving day
Ii not provided for in the festival calen-
dar Of the Jewish faith, yet such observ-
ance Is as truly religious as patriotic. He
called attention to the causes of thanks
giving on account OF material blessings.
Surely" said the preacher, I'VE cannot
be callous to such evidences of divine IA
vor and mercy, even now that the country
Is passing through prolonged financial
and commercial crisis, affecting more or
less seriously the interests of all classes
| OF society. For We feel assured that our
ineNhaustible national resources, wise leg
islatlon and the energy and intelligence of
the average American citizen will combine
to restore matters to their normal condi-
ton.
And this hope will be realized the more
speedily and permanently the more jeal-
ously We guard and the more courageous
ly We exercise the highest prerogative, in
which. as nation, We particularly rejoice:
The power vested in the American people,
by means of the ballot. to right all
wrongs and foil any attempt to tamper
with the rights and privileges of a free and
sovereign nation.
1T is indeed no little cause for rejoic-
ing and thanksgiving today that within
recent years the people, at various occa-
sions, have availed themselves of that
power In the service Of good government,
with signal success. The recent over
whelming victory won by the people of our
great metropolis is of national Importance.
1t has proved conclusively that IL the peo-
pie are in earnest, right Is might and that
vile corruption and high-ha nded violence
must come to GRIEF before the righteous
wrath Of an outraged community of free
men.
"One hundred and eighteen years ago our
fathers espoused the cause of freedom, of
civil and religious liberty, saying with the
prophet: BE thou betrothed unto me for
ever; betrothed through Justice and right
eousness.' The pledge has been faithfully
kept by their children and children's chill
dren. 1t has proved fruitful of blessings
unspeakablc. both material and spiritual.
1t has bridged us safely over threatening
dangers and difficulties, and wrought for
us salvation. 1t has inspired our nation
to rise, for Its defense, to the heights Of
true valor heroism and self-sacrifce. and
cement with her life blood, the union Of
states and of hearts, so that, looking back
upon our past history and achievements.
We may indeed greatly rejoice in the
Lord, who hath clothed us with the gar
ments of salvation. covered us with the
robe of righteousness, as bridegroom
decketh himself with a garland, and as a
bride adorneth herself with her jewels
Proftins by Experience.
"And we may further say that the fu-
ture safety of our republic depends on our
ability and willingness to profit by our ex-
pcriehces Of the past. The second century
of cur national existence will determine
the pernanency of our republican form of
government, deciding whether the corrupt
ing and disintegrating elements lurking in
the dark will be permitted to assert them
selves, or whether American freemen will
so live, think and act as to cause right
eousness and praise to spring forth before
all nations Our text points out the way
in the words as the earth bringeth forth
her growth, and as the garden causeth the
things sown therein to spring forth Dill
igent labor, constant care, eternal vigilance,
are the virtues of the successful husband
man. Poisonous weeds may infect the most
fertile soil. Suffer them to take root,
spread and flourish, and there will come a
poor harvest, or no harry est at all. And so
eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Poisonous weeds have crept into our body
polite. Corporations without souls.
trusts and monopolies, have too long been
permitted to encroach upon the common
rights and interests of a long-suffering
people. A fails ballot, pure politics and
promotions in the public service according
to merit have been decried and sneered at
by the machine politician and spoils hunter.
Unscrr pulous dema gogues have diligently
infused spirit of sullen discomfort into
the minds of honest laboring classes, coun-
selling acts of lawlessness and violence to
righten supposed or real wrongs. And still
new anu udH-
gerous growth has sprung up of late. more
to be dreaded than the Russian thistle
that er gagged the attention of our last
Congress. 1t Is that spirit utterly foreign
to American ideas OF personal and re-
ligious freedom, which. recognizing one
dominant or would-be dominant religion,
would openly or secretly take hostile meas
ures against another creed, sowing the
seed of prejudice and hatred between man
and man, and aiming a fatal blow at the
fundamental principle of our government
religious liberty, separation Of church and
stated
National Conscience Aroused.
These are some of the dangers that yet
becloud cur national sky. some of the weeds
that must be removed from the garden Of
our national prosperity with strong, de-
termined hand, and by the united efforts of
a wise and righteous nation.
THE prospects of ultimate success were
never brighter than today. The national
conscience is aroused. Victory has perched
on the banner of reform. in the very
stronghold of corruption. The lesson is as
simple as 1t is encouraging. Let the de-
famers of our national honor, here and
abroad, hold their peace who are wont to
make the SWEEP ping assertion that in these
United States politics and corruption are
synonymous terms. The fact that the
lovers of good government, Independent OF
party lines. have carried the day by SO
vast a majority Is an eloquent refutation
of that frivolous assertion 50 often made
and thoughtlessly repeated.
May we then, reviewing the past with
thankful hearts, look into the future with
hopeful confidence. and may every sue
ceeding year multiply the causes for
thanksgiving in our midst
For this end let strive and labor,
honestly and faithfully joining hands and
hearts-nO as Jews, or Catholics, OF Pro-
testants, not as German Americans, or
Irish Americans, or Americans to the
manor born, but simply as citizens. united
and one in our love of country. and ready
and willing to advance our common irt-
tercsts, respect and uphold law, order and
Justice, and protect in his inalienable. God
given rights the lowliest citizen OF the
land"