The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-06-20
Patriotism and Religion.

From the St. Louis Globe Democrat
The eloquent Memorial Day ad-
dress of Archbishop Ryan is timely
and valuable contribution to the lit
erature of patriotism. 1t presents in
a forcible way the important fact that
this is Christian nation, and that our
political success is largely attributa-
BILE to religious influences and asso-
Citations. There is nothing palmer
than this in the history Of our country.
No intelligent person can read the
story Of the origin and development
of our institutions without being i'm.
pressed by the constant evidence of
moral and spiritual energy in the ad-
justment of material and practical
affairs The vivifying force that came
here at the start was of q religious
nature, and it has never ceased to be
controlling factor in the shaping of
destinies. It was the urgent desire
for freedom to worship God according
to the dictates of individual con-
science which brought the original
settlers across the Atlantic from diff
ferent parts Of Europe. They were
wise enough to know that there could
be no genuine religions liberty with
out policical liberty also, and the two
were practically founded together 49,
ALI historians and statesmen agree
in tracing American republicanism to
the compact signed on board the
Mayfower by the sincere and resolute
exiles who had fed from the accumu-
| lated expressions Of civil as well as
spiritual tyranny. That manifesto
| was the basis Of all that followed and
all that now exists in the way Of
| national progress and greatness.
1t is easy to see that process Of
| gradual evolution nodded the prevail
ing early conditions into opportuni-
ties for the realization Of the hopes
and purposes Of the fathers. The
results that ensued were in sense
foreordained and inevitable. It may
be that those pioneers Of civilization
builded better than they knew in the
respect that they had no adequate
conception or the possibilities Of the
situation, and did not dream what
would ultimately come to pass; but
the great fact remains that they made
no mistake in their general principles
and left no chance for failure in the
accuracy Of their methods and the
fidelity of their proceedings. They
were religious men in the first place,
and they never forgot their obliga-
tions in in that relation. But they
were not merely religious enthusiasts,
with minds narrowed to one thing.
Their religion was the kind Of an i'm
pulse for improvement and conquest
that led them quite as matter OF
course into the work Of establishing
form Of, political government; and
they chose the only one under which
they could have succeeded. We know
now that separation from the mother
country was certain in the very nature
of things, beyond any expedient Of
compromise; and it is equally sure
that the convictions and tendencies
which made such result unprevent-
able were inspired and nourished by
the religious temper Of the people,
which asserted Itself at all times and
in predominant way.
There are those who, while con-
ceding that religious influence may
have done much for us in the past,
insist that we are now able to get
along without it, and that other
forces have enteryened to serve us
| more advantageously. This feeling
is one Of the grave dangers Of the
republic. It is true. as Archbishop
Ryan says, that if Christianity should
be rejected tomorrow, the public