The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-06-01
GRAND ARMY VETERANS
Father CIeary Delivered : Patriotic Al
dress to Thorn Last Sunday
Evening.
his SUBJECT WAS "clvlc VIRTUE. y
True Patriotism viii Aim to Provide
What is Best For the In dlsldual
and Nation.

ACol dLucl Clcel1L O1SCOuloc " Clt
members Of the G. A. II. posts of the city
for whom he had prepared special serv
ices on Memorial Sunday. The subjec
"Civic Virtue" and it is needless to So,
that it interested not only the citizen sol
diers, but all who were fortunate enough
to be present to listen to his patriotic
utterances. The sanctuary was decorat
ed with the stars and stripes, and during
the services the choir sang "Columbia'
and "My Country" the congregation
Joining in the chorus.
After giving the veterans cordial
welcome and paying an eloquent tribute
to their patriotism, Father Cleary deliv-
cred a most eloquent address, of Which
the following is but a. brief synopsis:
Patriotism is commonly defined Glove
for ones country" 1t is well that all
lovers Of their country have clear con-
captions Of the practical meaning of such
devotion to the land of their birth, or
| of their destiny. The correct analysis OF
the meaning of patriotism is the devotion
which earnest men must have for their
country's welfare.
! Patriotism cannot mean that we are
simply to pledge our loyal devotion to
our country's material prosperity and in
vincible power We we'll may wish to see
our country strong and great among the
nations of the earth. But progressive, in
! telligent Christian civilization has ele-
waited men above the barbarous idea that
strength, invincible might, can make a
nation truly great, enduring and power
| full. Enlightened by the light Of Chris
tian principles, we know that Justice is
more precious than power and that a ma
TONS greatness consists rather In the
virtues OF it's people, than in the might
! of their armed battalions. The enforce
! ment CT rigorous law is not our highest
test Of enlightened and progressive civil
! lization. The best and surest test of en-
| lightened civilization is the voluntary
and intelligent observance Of equitable
and human laws.
The world has been governed too much
by unnecessary and annoying legislative
enactments, that tend but little to benefit
society and elevate it above the plane of
personal pleasure, profit or gain to the
few, who know how to turn to their indi-
yidual advantage the necessities of the
weak and dependent multitude. Society
is then only we'll and justly cared for
when the greatest good of the greatest
number is its only aim. Our patriotism
is put to it's most severe test not when
we are summoned by bugles call to
muster the nations manhood in military
array, to stem the tide of hostile 'invas
ion, or protect it's constitutional rights
against domestic or foreign foes. The
crucial test of any, peoples loyal love for
the land in which they plant their homes
and f1resides is their vigilant regard for
the country's happiness and moral we'll
being. The cry "To arms" to resist with
manly courage and daring assaults OF
armed foes ;awakens an easy response in
the honest hearts of bold and coura-
geous men. The grave perils Of war are
easily lost sight of when the sound OF
martial music fills the. air. 'Tis> only
when the smoke of battle has disappear
ed that excited men can see the sacri-'
fees that have been offered in defense
Of national honor. But the din and STIR
ring sound of war are needed to arouse
mems physical courage and impel and
lay the precious burden of their heroic
lives on their country's altar. 1t is grand
and glorious, as the pagans knew, to die
for ones country. .., .., .. .
Butsour enlightened Christian civiliz:-
ton has learned better motto, with
which to stir the honest hearts OF brave
and fearless men. And this motto is that
1t is nobler far to live for ones country's
welfare. The welfare Of ones country is
best advanced, not by the heroic death of
some of it's best and ;bravest sons, but
by the noble, honest, pure and upright
lives Of all it's citizens. The domestic and
social virtues OF a Christian people are
Of infinitely greater value, as founda-
tions for their natural prosperity, than
the proudest record for military yalor.
oi&i hof RI
his country will prompt him to bare his
bosom in it's defense in time Of danger,
but he owes it more sacred duty still,
and this duty consists in respecting its
law, and in preserving its honor unstain-
ed, when peace and prosperity gladden. |
the land.
The citizen soldier, whose memory we
honor with the nndying gratitude of a
nation, well bears our esteemed and rev.
erence. But he, after all, is not the best.|
and the highest ideal of the good citizen. f.!
He is in evidence that equitable princi- |
pies of social order have been violated !
and ignored. The soldier is present be- |
cause Of war, and war is the wild prod !
uct of wrong. War is the last and brutal
appeal Of injured people against injustice |
and wrong, and it is the merciless weap- !
on in the hands Of Ger vaulting ambi- |
tion to crafty it's base greed. Civilized |
man abhors war, and the soldier should |
find no place in an ideal state of civilized !
society," But as society has not reached |
this ideal state, the soldier is needed to |
protect and guard it against the assaults |
Of its foes.
The best and highest type of citizen, |
the type we all may we'll mould our lives
by, is the upright man, who performs his
part as an honorable member of the So
cial fabric, not under the compulsion of !
law. but because he. is conscious of his
to. the all-wise and all
powerful being who placed him In this
world. He is influenced by the right, not |
swayed by the expedient. Conscience
not gain, will be his guide. Honor is
dearer to him than life. He will not ac-
cept temporary advantage at the sacri- |
flee of his fellow mans rights. He will |
not wink at iniquity, that he might re- |
move, in order to reap some personal |
profit. He sp,lrns' the brides that vice
may offer, for fear of God, which is "the |
Of wisdom" fills his honest |
heart with horror of whatever is often
sive in Gods sight.
We Americans have been 50 generous |
ia praising ourselves that is has become |
somewhat difficult for us to admit our |
vices. We have taken such an optimistic |
view of our glorious country thato ma
tional pride feels wounded when we are I
warned against some Serious dangers that
menace our moral and social well-being.
We do not take kindly to good advice.
yKYo will not raailv forgive the mnnitor