The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-05-14
PERFECT CITIZENSHIP
THE PERIL OF DEMOCRACY
II Requires Delicate and Constant
Care. but the Evolution OF Hu-
manity Is in That Direc-
tlon-other Speakers.

Cleveland, May i3.-NeaTly 400 OF ths
leading business and professional men
OF the city attended the annual banquet
Of the chamber OF commerce at the Hol-
lenden this evening. The guest Of tho
evening was Archbishop Ireland. all tho
Others in attendance being members.
After the banquet President W. II.
Warner after neat speech. outlined
tho achievements and prospects OF the
chamber and announced the toasts.
Senator NJ. A. Hanna responded 70 tho
toast. Observation-Disclosures and Conn
mercial."
Archbishop Ireland spoke upon The
Sure Foundation OF a True Citixen-
ship lie said In part; The great
ness of America Is her democracy.
America. as no other nation. honors
manhood. consecrates its rights and
gives IL the freedom To develop its pow
ers and satisfy its ambitions. America
Is the nation OF the people. governed for
the people. by the people. and to become
one of the people of America II sufices
| tn be a man.
In this country all men are equal in
citizenship: there Is no civil or political
privilege for the few: there IL no civil
on political inferiority for the many.
The peril of America II In her democra-
cy. i have myself the fullest faith In
the democracy OF America. because I
have faith In the people OF America and
because the democracy of this country
has. amid terrific trial. proved its right
and power TO live. ! have faith. too. In
the future democracy OF the world. be-
cause the manifest evolution OF humans
! ty is towards that end, and the being
Who moves humanity makes no mis-
take.
Il admit that democracy requires del.
icate and constant care. and that its
safety will he the reward only OF never
ceasing vigilance. Whence will come tn
democracy the potency OF morality
With reverence | pronounce the sacred
word-conscience.
Conscience ruling. Americans will be-
a law-abiding people. for Righteousness
commands obedience TO law and pro-
claims that the law of the nation is the
law OF the supreme government OF men
and OF nations. Almighty God. Amcri-
cans VIII respect the rights OF their fell
low citizens conscience bids them know
that no one lives for himself alone, and
that society with its rights and institu-
tions IN OF divine mould.
"A nation withuot conscience Is a ma =
"
earth Is rid OF II, the better Il II for hu-
manity, nothing good or great can como
from IL.
The brightest page In our history
sprung from conscience. Americas Inn
mortal heroes. heroes OF valor. OF pa
thence. heroes Of charity and OF virtue
In days OF peace. were inspired by con-
science. Conscience led Americans to
redden with their blood hundreds oc
I.r.l L.. .al.
and indivislble and to make her banner
one OF freedom for all the children oe
her soil.
There are moments when ones
heart stands still before the thought oe
what might come N Americans be-
trayed their citizenship; OF what might
come To America herself. In whose des-
TIMES are wrapped up our hope and our
love; OF what would come to liberty in
the whole world. since liberty for other
nations reads her triumph. or her death
In the triumph OF death OF liberty In
America.
An election day In the land. Twelve
millions or more OF voters will In a few
hours have pronounced Judgment upon
the affairs OF the great nation. Take
away conscience on election day: let
voters. like the populace OF old Rome.
scramble for food and pleasure: dem-
ocracy VIII nave given up the ghost
and either an imperator' will trampis
upon American liberties or anarchy Will
give the land its lurid flames.
What viii foster conscience In this
citizens OF America? | answer. reli-
gion-the sense of a supreme ruler. rul-
ing the whole universe from the tiniese
flower TO the mlghtiest sun. ruling man
and aggregations OF men. rewarding
and Furnishing. Patriotism Is never so
potent as when IL Is identified with re-
ligion.
The crisis for democracy will coms
when comes the crisis for religion. Evil
days for America are those when ag-
nostlcism and materialism are preach
ed throughout the land. when man Is
told that he IL but a piece OF mechan-
ism which no free will controls: that he
Ii but a grain of dust. tossed up for 4.
while In the air soon TO be driven back
into the common heap. having no re-
sponsibility. no hope. save what clay
and stones around him have. The enc
mics OF religion are the enemies oe
country and OF democracy"
The other speakers were ]. G.. W.
cowles. ex-president OF the chamber.
and President G. r. Thwing OF Western
Reserve university.