Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-24

GERS of the government are trustees; and
both the trust and the trustees are created
for the benefit of the people.
How can it succeed? by the mere ma
chinery OF laws? BY cold enactments
upon the statute-books? BY simple legis-
lative acts and resolutions? Oh, no!
code Of rules, of course. is essential; 1t
is the starting point in the formation Of
civil government, and il carries with il
the authority TO enforce the observance Of
these rules But unless there is behind
these governmental trustees a moral force
to sustain them, however earnestly they
may strive 10 fulfil their trust they VIII
be weak and impotent. This moral force
must be rooted in religious sentiment.
Without proper respect for religion every
social or governmental fabric that has
ever existed has gone into decay. When
the restraints which are thrown around
men by moral feelings springing from
regard for a higher law than mans law
are thrown aside by a people, they no
longer respect the code Of rules adopted
for their well-being. and they snap every
cord that binds and confines their vices
and revel in sin and crime.
The fathers of this republic founded
this system Of government of ours upon
the principles of morality and religion;
they believed that good citizenship
could only come through moral habits,
and good government only be maintained
and our institutions perpetuated upon
the basis OF religious sentiment
The great and happy nations to-day
are those where immortality Is de
nounced. and affairs 10 the living God
are erected everywhere, and churches
thick point their spires heavenward in
the crowded cities unpretentous towns
humble hamlets, rural recesses, ana
mountain Businesses. When you strike
down religion you destroy the support
img-column of every government where
virtue is priced, society is pure. human
rights are respected. and human liberty
is enthroned. 50. then. Mr. Chairman
people are governed when governed we'll
in the language of the toast not by me
chanism. but by religion.
THE SPIRIT OF LOYALTY.
Coming now TO the consideration Of the
second subdivision OF the toast / sup
pose the word loyalty. which is used, Is
intended to signify patriotism. If a cOun-
try or government had only the self
interest of its subjects to depend upon
for its safety and security, then, indeed
would il rest upon a foundation Of
sand. If selhshness controlled a people
and no higher motive than personal gain
actuated them, no nation could exist ana
retain its autonomy for any considerable
length of time. 4 citizen who serves
his country because his service is pro
fitable to him will prove as false to
it as Judas to his Master when he is
called upon 10 make some sacrifice. \
soldier who fights only for pay Will de-
sort 10 the enemy as soon as the Jingle
Of more lucre reaches his venal ear.
The maintenance and perpetuity of a
nation has ever depended, and VIII ever
depend, upon the patriotism Of its peo-
pie, and the best citizen OF a country
is he who best loves his country for
his country's sake; whose welfare Is his
first concern. and who i'm the sincerity
Of his heart can exclaim, Perish my
name; perish my fame; but let my coun-
try liver
it was this spirit that called forth the
soul-nspiring, never-dying words of Nir-
/ ginia's ilustrious son in the old church
on yon classic hill that drew from the
/ pen OF her son whose name is immortal
/ a declaration of principles emblazoned in
/ golden letters I'm the temple of republi-
can freedom, and that save strength and
resolution to her peerless son as he led
/ the American armies to victory and
wrested the Colonies from the thraldom
! of British tyranny. Ii was this spirit
/ from which sprung the defiant cry MIL
/ lions for defence, not one cent for tri
butte" 1t was this spirit that prompted
! the great soldier and hero whose mauso-
! leum is at Lexington 20 resign his com
mission in the United States army and
draw his sword for his native State; that
commanded the college professor whose
name is upon every tongue In every
cline to leave hs chair and classroom
/ to do and dare and to die amid a blaze
Of glory for the land where he first saw
the light and the thunders Of Heaven
first rolled above him. IL was this spirit
that inspired the private soldiers who