The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
FATHER MacCORRY, in an Eloquent Lecture
on individuality" Eu1ogizes Father
Yorke.

million truths? VIII one drop OF ink OBJ
scure the sun? There are some I know who
never make mistakes. The dumb, dull sheep
that plods hindermost in the flock can never
be accused of indiscretion; but the one who
with eyes alert and keen pioneers to better
pastures. 1t is he who must bear the judg
ment If mistake be made.
Oh yes there those who never make mis-
takes, know. But let them not be glorified
by the distinction There are pin-headed crea-
enough to bestow even helpful generous,
whole-souled mistake upon the world. Why.
the very mistakes OF honest men have been
triumphant stepping stones in the world s
progress. There are men who see no more
value in a good. sound. conscientious error
than the Indian sees in the gold mine beneath
his wigwarn. I tell you confer a mistake
candidly, good naturally, sincerely upon the
world is in itself a notable performance. All
that for the sake of the arguments without
conceding the facts. But what I am maintain
ing now is that be a man and II means to
sion home. Are there not those who under
God owe the triumph OF their faith on this
might OF the pen of Peter Yorke. and who
now. that tmmensities OF waters defy retort
have projected the slanderous venom and the
fang OF calumny and the traitors sting.
All. that our memories so soon should fall
sully and besnirch the fairness Of his fair
name, yet would every board in these old walls
shout out his praise triumphant: would re-
bound the slanderous tnfamy and drive 1t back
to the reptile teeth from which IL Kissed.
Would abash and confound and cover them
with shame.
An yes be not deceived. It means to die
For Joseph a pit, for Daniel a wild beasts
den. for David dethronement and exile. for
John the Baptist wilderness and the execu-
toner's ak. for Peter crucifxion, for Paul the
Philippian dungeon for Christ the Cross. for
the sons and daughters of the King since the
world was made, fire and persecution and the
sword.
Let me practically, apply this thought Of In
dividuality now. and I am done. Such men as
/ have described tonight required first of
all in politics by our country. In public life
we need to-day. perhaps more than we ever
needed. men who will think for themselves. act
for themselves, be above reproach. The science
of government has been bedraggled until it
ree1se y,1i+b moral turDi+1,la- bTiherv giides
through the council chambers OF the nations
softly as a sliupered page-its lecherous
hands plunged deep in its well-hlled sack
The machinery of American politics to-day is
constructed OF a thousand wheels. and the cogs
Of these thousand wheels play into the cogs
Of a greater wheel, and the great center wheel
has for its tire n railroad track. and when 1t
moves 1t sets in motion the other thousand
smaller wheels which go to constitute our poll
teal mechanism
An. I tell you. our country needs to-day
about dozen men who first and last and all
the time hold the cause of country dearer than
the cause of life-men like Theodore Roose-
Welt in New York who serves his country 10y
ally disinterestedly, heroically-alilke in pri-
vate life, in public office the field OF
hIood-a man who in every phase of his event
ft,I career bas ever dared 10 do right standing
out bravely. grandly, defiant, against the
clamor of the goddess for the cause of his
countrys weal-the first Governor in the his
tory OF the Empire State to ascend the chair
of power without pledge or oath to party or
friend n.
ity of such men as that in the backbone of the
American Government to-day Perhaps not
here-how could know? | am but a stranger
within your gates. They do say that here the
cause of justice never waivers: that its sun
blazes full orb ever in the sky. They do say
that here q public office is ever regarded
piousy as a public trust. They assure me that
the palm of the office holder here is ever rest
ful-impervious to persuasive consideration or
stimulating pelf. They do say, and protest
much that the law here in favor of public
morality and public veal is religiously and
road prrrf T4foe
able man: so are they all-all honorable men
They tell me this-it must be Why should
thew deceive me? Am I not but a trusting
stranger within their gates?
But yet I would fain set me grand and lofty
ideals for the young men whom I address to-
night. In such an hour as YOU know not the
enemy may plant his tares among the wheat
The clouds of political turpitude may one day
dispel the ha'~e that now hover so lovingly
above the heads of those in public trust Then
in those dark DAYS would I have the young men
of this city and ssoCiation blaze out like
stars amid the night-patriots. soldiers heroes
all honest men in q world OF dishonesty; up
right citizens in a world = frivolous preten-