The San Francisco call., 1897-01-19
ESTEE TALKED
( TO THE Y, N, /
metropolitan Temple Filled
by an AppreciatiVe
Audience.
He Took for His Theme The
Groundwork OF Our Lib
critics"
Many Prominent Members of the
Catholic Fraternal Order Were
Seated Upon the Platform.

"a AAS evening Was utlINGIGQ W 4OAAs ~"
M. Estee of this City, whose theme was,
1.-The Ground work OF Our Liberties"
A number of musical selections were
rendered during the evening. The first
was a piano prelude by Miss Marie
-Glorgiani, a vocal solo by Mrs. f. L.
/Wratten, followed by cello solo by DR..
a. T. Regensburger.
All were heartily applauded and each
was followed by an encore. Miss Marie
Giorgiani also play piano postlude.
The stage was strikingly decorated with
National flags and the cross-em blazoned
banners OF the Y. NJ. /. Two large grace
fully draped silken flags formed a central
BACKGROUND. Delicate white cheesecloth
covered with silver stars and caught up in
loops extended round the whole front o1
the platform, just below a row of small
potUed palms placed where footlights are
usually seen.
On the stage were some thirty men
prominent IN the Catholic fraternal order.
Among them were: Father Peter c. Y orke
Colonel James Smith, president of the 7.
M. l. of California; John Lyncn, the ex-
president; John Green, president of
Council No. 4; PeGer Kretz, president
of Council No. l; DR.. J. H. Morrison,
James ODonrel, James Larkin, John
Duddy, Chas. Cain, Frank 1. kierce, John
Callaghan, John Mclaughlin, r. J. Tobin,
P. Hyland, J. Brien, DR.. c. A Glover.
H: J. Cuells, R. a. Miller and Joseph
O'Donnell.
Sonre opening remarks were made by
Colonel James f. Smith, who as president
OF the evening and as president OF the
Y. N. I. briefly outlined the purposes OF
the organization.
He then introduced the Hon. NJ. NJ.
Estee, who, greeted by frequent applause,
spoke in part as follows:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t
has been said that "to gain an empire is easy
and common; to govern ii well is difficult and
rare Indeed" However this may De- the bir,h
and Childhood OF a nation is period OF great
and profound peril. The creation OF a new
government by free men is always perilous,
because the conflicting and varying opinions
OF people who think for themselves, the uncer-
talnty OF the result, the danger TO the indi-
yidual who rebels against established au-
thority-all conspire TO make the first steps
toward statehood full OF danger and grave
with doubt.
The American Government was a growth
not hurried creation. 1t did not spring into
existence in moment OF eXuberant patriot
ism, nor did the battles of the Revolutionary
Wsr, so bravely fought and won, alone estab-
Lsh this Republic.
The isolation and the solitude of life in the
yoiceless woods made the early American set
Tiers self-reliant. They mad little or no gov
ernment.. They needed none. They were ac-
customed to 40 restraint and knew no law but
self-pFeservation. They soon began to feel
u.
knew that in unity there was strength; and
while but few of the colonists aspired TO Ma
uonal Independence, all OF them claimed to
be, and really were, independent The people
OF the colonies were more opposed to foreign
rule than TO the kind OF rule they suffered.
From the beginning new conditions con-
tronted them. They were compelled TO meet
these conditions by physical and intellectual
efforts, which were unparalleled in the his
tory OF that age. Thus from necessity they
became inventors OF new systems OF govern
They a nv the uao1ppt
OF England, not by its aid, and they thus owed
no debt OF gratitude to the English King, and
when the ties which bound them were finally
severed they separated without regret
Even before the Declaration OF Independence
they had some experience in selt-goYernment,
foT they commenced at an early date to no d
colonial congresses. In 1854 the first of these
congresses was held at Albany, in the State OF
New York, seven colonies only being repre-
seuted. And the holding OF these congresses
was continued from time TO time until IIIbi
when the Declaration OF Independence was
made The war OF the Revolution was then in
evitable.
No living man can appreciate the dangers
that confronted the American people after
zpeace was declared. Up TO the adoption of the
constitution, there was no National executive,
10 Federal judiciary, no means OF raising
money except by con nIribuuon of the States and
no power to enforce equal contributions. Final
ly the Colonial Congress recomme nded the
States to send delegates to q convention which
should revise the articles OF confederation
and report to Congress and the several Legis-
latuTps such alterations and provisions therein
should when agreed TO in Congress and con-
fTmed by the States render the Federal con-
stitution adequate to the existence of Govern
ment and the preservation OF the Union. This
convention frs amed the National constitution.
The first National Congress met in New
York in 1889. II was a memorable occas ion
in American history. 1t was opened with
prayer and 1t is reported that the stiffness
which pervaded the vast audience gathered
around the few represen tatives who met there
u Olegislate for the first time for the American
2NRtton was aWe-lnSpiring. Old men wept
Fwith JOY. Washington stood calm and serene
IS aways, immObile in countenance and su-
Mteme in conviction. He had the great honor
sal addressing an American Congress for the
first time President and he was the only
President who ever personally addressed the
Congress OF the United States He carried
with him TO that lofty position, not only the
love and affection OF the Continental army.
but the confidence of the whole American
people. Neither sectional nor local stIifes
could touch the universal confidence which
the people reposed in him.
The changes since then have been so mar
velous, our increase IN wealth and popula ton
has been SO great that the world wonders at
the phenomenal growth of this Republic, a
growth due lar-ely to the TACT that ever since
the adoption of our constitution this country
has been the beacon light OF liberty and thus
attracted TO our shores bold, hardy race of
men as immigrants. 1t has inspired no wars
for conquest, but to-day, through its wise and
peaceful counseIs, 1t controls the govern
mental policy of the western continent The
Monroe doctrine has thus become the doctrine
OF peace.
The United States was made one Nation by
the constitution, and yet the question whether
American nationality or State sovereignty
should hold the mastery occupied the public
mind for many years. This was largely due to
the fact that the American colonies (afterward
the States OF the Union) maintained local
governmentslong before the Union was ce-
mented together into one Nation by the con-
stitution. The people has thus become at
teched to their State before the United States
was in existence. For the first seventy years
of our constitutional his tory the problem OF
State sovereignty, or State rights, was the
cause of most of the political divisions among
the people. Some leading statesmen claimed
TO owe their first allegiance 10 their State and
not TO the Nation.
The prea mble of the National constitution
sets this matter, however, at rest. 1t is the
imost splendid phrasing OF national principles
Athat man has ever devised.
I'VE, the people of the United States, in
Vrder to form a more perfect Union, establish
JSstice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
ior the common defense, promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings OF liberty 10
ourselves and our posterity, do orcain and
establish this constitution tor the United
States of America
If that declaration did not make nation
nothing could.
To, secure the blessings of liberty in its
dnGf ans fha nrfv, ,afp Nae