Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12
He reditary socfetics-Thcir Rnfson
d'Etre.
For the Dlspatch.)


There are bonds and obligations be-
tween the members of the human family,
which inevitably are universal, and as
they spring from our common humanity,
even those who deny the unity OF our
race admit the above statement between
those whom they regard as belonging TO
the same species.
The basis OF these bonds and obliga-
tons has been finely condensed In the
great ethical principle, ''the fatherhood
OF God and the brotherhood OF man."
Some who boast OF this as their leading
principle have perverted 1t, and, turning
II into a mere platltude, have erected upon
/ wild speculations and isms and istics
as dangerous as they are fallacious. Stlll,
under its guidance, there is in the world
4 vast deal OF noble, generous, and good
doing altrusism.
Just suppose there were faithful and
jealous State, national, and international
organizations OF the Sons and Daughters
OF Christianity; what effect would they
have upon the moral and religious con-
dition OF the world?
But the genuine altruism OF the world
Is true missionary Christianity, which Is
as universal as natural, philosophical
ethics. Its command to all its heralds
and adherents is to carry It's divine good
news 10 every creature throughout the
whole world. 1t not only fortiies "the
fatherhood OF God and the brotherhood Of
man." but elevates the latter, for whilst
II invites and encourages all Gods moral
and responsible creatures to treat him
az Abba, ii makes them brothers OF His
divine Son and Joint heirs with Him:
thus rendering it no blasphemy to COM
bine the brotherhood of man with the
her 80 Cod e. ha ,tnfxr
salism OF the ages to come. The ties of
our common humanity are weakened by
its very diffusion, and are smothered and
oyerridden by the narrower and more con-
centrated ones OF nationality and family
alliances. Those OF nationality are too
often narrowed and warped; and yet
there is an increasing and salutary spiet
Of liberallzing internationalism.
Great causes have been and will ever
continue to be strong and enduring bonds
Of union and sympathy among men, and
this. whether they have been crowned
with success or not. How closely and
warmly have some 'lost causes linked
together the hearts OF hosts Of men and
womeni
In the eyes of subsequent genera
tlons-of posterity-all who risked their
lives-their all-in these causes become
are related to them take pride in their
deeds and cherish their memories; and
the nearer and dearer this relationship
the more intense and jealous should be
their manifestations Of pride, gratitude,
and admiration.
Thus men. women, and children very
naturally and most properly form them
selves into organizations for the express
purpose Of perpetuating the memories Of
great events. and the noble and heroic
leaders and actors in them. and how
could they have "souls so dead as not
to feel Joy and satisfaction, IL their own
ancestors were among those leaders and
actors?
In these United States. now so ample
and glorious. there were some stirring
events during their Colonial period, which
may well cement the hearts OF many OF
those who are now living, and have al
ready done so. But their greatest cause
was their memorable struggle for fnde-
pendence which will ever demand the
most patriotic recognition and the most
lavish manifestations OF gratitude. Its
result, too, justifies the highest exulta-
ton OF success. Did any one now living
have an ancestor who contributed TO that
success, let him feel proud OF II, and
draw to himself all who are In the same
category, and unite with them in a
fraternal band to keep alive the memory
OF the past to foster good-fellowship and
good citizenship. and the closer study OF
those stirring events In which their fore
fathers bore their parts SO well. In this
lsudabls and patriotic work let their
danes and their daughters share all their
honors, their efforts, and their duties.
II has been generally admitted that
the formation OF these hereditary pa
triotic societies and what their members
have done In them have already advanced
historical literature and promoted the
study OF American history, not only by
individuals and communities. but In our
schools and colleges.
II may be shat there ~ an unnecessary
number OF such organizations. and that
seldshness and lf-glorifcation have had
too much to do with them. Still they
have done and ere doing enough good
to vindlcate their existence and merit the
cooperation OF ell who are entitled to be
enrolled in them The meetings Of their
sarge, representative bodies must be
greatly beneficial to the interests OF those
cities In which they assemble annually.
Orders for printing sent to the Dispatch
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