The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-14
The Need of Patriotism.

The Need of Patriotism.
Last Wednesday evening, at the
dinner of the Loyal Legion at Del
monico's, in New York, Archbishop
ireland delivered an grafton on the
Duty and Valus Of Patriotism
which ought to be read by every
American. OF all the discussions of
this theme that we have heard his is
the most accurate, eloquent and genu-
inely patriotic. Something OF its lofty
temper and liberal tone may be CLEANED
from the epigrams culled from it in
another column; but apart from these
gems Of sentiment and rhetoric, its
practical treatment OF grave present
problems makes it truly memorable.
The archbishop plants himself squqrely
on n platform OF unwayering faith in
the Republic of America:
New conditions, indeed. confront Us:
new periiS menace rs, in Il population Dor.
drriGs on the huudredth million and pre-
pared quickly to leap beyond this figure,
IN phlpJoric and unwieldy urban con.
giomerations, IN that unbridled luxury of
living consequent on vast material pros
perlty, which IN all times is dreaded foe
10 liberty. It were reckless folly OF our
part to ueDy all force TO the objections
which are put 10 us. + . But | have
tuith in the providence OF God and the
progress Of humanity. will not believe
thar liberty IL not a permanent gift, and
It were not, IL America fail. / have faith
in TIE powerful and loyal national heart
OK America, which clings fast to liberty,
and sooner Or later rights wrongs and up.
roofs evils. have no fears. Clouds cross
the heavens; soon a burst Of sunlight dis
pels them. Different interests of society
are out vi Joint with one another, and the
social organism is feverish: it is simply
the effort toward new adjustments; in a
little while there will be order and
peace. Threatening social and political
evils are near, and are seemingly gaining
ground: the American people are conserv.
atly,ly patient; but ere long the national
heart is reused, and the evils, however
formidable be their aspect, go down be-
fore the tread Of al Indignant people.
Coming from this broad platform to
u consideration OF the methods OF ward.
ing off discernible coming evils, tue
archbishop contends FIST that there is
danger in the Ignorance OF voters. "As
n rule, the man who does not read and
write lntelligently cannot vote intslli-
gently. Americans need to have laws
IN every state which will punish, as
guilty Of crime against the country, the
parent who nsglects TO send his chill
dren 10 school" Another danger is in
corrupt morals. "A people without
good moralsis incapable Of sslf-sovern.
ment. At the basis Of the proper exer,
else Of the suffrage lie unselfsduess and
the spirit OF sacrifice. A corrupt man
is selfish; az appeal to duty finds nc
response in his conscience; he is incapa.
bic Of the high-miudedness and gener,
Gus acts which are the elements OF
patriotism he is ready to sell the coun
Try for pelf or pleasure. Patriotism
takes alarm ct tho spread OF intemper,
aNce, lasciviousness dishonesty. perjury
for conutry's sake it should arm against
tho!c dire evils all the conntry's forces,
its legislatures. its courts, and, above
al Else, pdniIC OplulOu'
Continuing, the speaker said
Empires and monarchies rely upon
wore and cannon; republics upon the cit.
liens respect tor law. Unless law be sa,
cred a free government will not endure.
Laws may be repealed through constitu.
tional means, but while they Rre inscribed
on the statute book they should be OBJ.
served. The lowering Of the dignity OF
law, by de- d, teaching or conniyance, is
treason. AuagcGicGl explosions, mob
riots, lynChings, shake tide pillars Of the
commonwealth; other violations of law.
the determined defiance Of municipal and
state authority by the liquor traffic, the
stealthy avoidance Of payment of taxes
aud OF custom duties, scar the conscience
and beget Il fatal habit Of disobedience.
Alaw-abidiug people only is worthy Of lib,
Srly and capable Of guarding its treasures.
The suffrage is the power Of life OF death
over the state. The one licit motive in its
use Is the public veal, to which private
aud party interests should be always sac
Tiiiced. The voter making misuse of the
trust deserves to DO disfranchised; the
man who weaves schemes to defraud the
popular will, deserves TO be prescribed
The public official is appointed for tht
peoples good, and is sworn to work for it
If he prostitutes his office, legislative OF
executive, to enrich himself or his friends
he has sold his country for gold and b,
is a traitor. The distribution OF Office OF
administrative power must be based OIL
fitness; the spoils system in politics in
syitably leads to public corruption, treach
.rous and unsafe administration and the
ultimate laundering OF the ship OF state.
Finally, as the highest expression O.
wisdom in this most notable address
we beg our readers to read with car,
the calm aud superior manner in which
Archbishop Ireland dismisses current
attempts to incite hurtful strife amopp
followers OF different faiths.
Storms are passing over the land, arts
ing from scctarian hatred, and nativist Of
foreign prejudices. These are scarcely Il
he needed; they cannot last. Day by day
the spirit OF AmericaniSm wakes strong
narrownes Of thought and uureasonint
strife cannot resist its Influences. Thi,
country is America: only they who art
loyal TO her can be allowed to live under
her dag; and they who are loyal to hel
may enjoy all her liberties and rights
Freedom Of religion Is accorded by tn,
cobstllutlOu' TellBiOu ID put OUTSIDE SJatC
action, and most wisely 30; therefore, tn,
religion of the citizen must not be consid.
cred by voter or executive officer. The
oath Of allegiance TO the country makes
the mar a citizen; If that allegiance is not
pienary and supreme he is false TO his pro
f%ession; il it is, he is an American. Dis
ordinations aud %segregations In civil OF
political matters, on lines OF religion. Of
birthplace or Of race, or Of language-and
add, or OF color-is un-AmericRn and
wrong. Compel all TO be- Americans, il
soul as well as in name; and, then, let thu
standard Of their value be their American
citizenship.
In this day Of soothing political fer
m~entaticn, materializing in rank ebul-