The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-03
DIR. DIX UPHOLDs OUR WAR.
The Rector of Trinity Parish breaches =
Patriotic Serm ron.

Patriotic Serm on
The Rev. Morgan Dix at Trinity Church on
Sunday preached with the American flag fiy-
ing high above the churchill OF people to
whom he talked. and the sermon Of the rector
Of Trinity. whose Bishop is an antl-lmperalist.
breathed the patriotism in less martial tone OF
Gen John A. DiI's immortal order: III any
man dishonors the American flag shoot him on
the spot" DIR. Dix gave his unqualified support
to the Admin lstraton In its conduct OF war
whose high purposes are understood OF the ma
tions. he said. and he permitted his plying
contempt to be seen for those who would with
draw from real responsibility and withhold
their aid from efforts tending to the enlarge
ment OF the general hope OF the human race.
DR.. Dix euloEized Dewey for hts moral worth.
his heroism and his modesty and drew atten-
ton to the point that in the Dewey celebration
there was no division among the people. who
showed unity OF sentiment In their reception
Of the Admiral which was not an outpouring OF
mere hero worship nor Rlorifcation OF an I'M
Just war.
There are things which elevate tho people.
and things which demoralize and corrupt" he
said. Mere hero worship 10 one OF the things
which deprave and depress. and sympathy
with Il bloody war Of aggression and conquest
for wars sake Ia another. Now. be 1t noted
and will not all right minded folk note this p
that the people have neither been worshlpping
nor applauding an unjust or unholy war. And
the great point to be made to-day is
this. that the scenes OF the past week do
not IMPLY the dishonorable worship OF mere
world hero. Our brave soldiers are now fight
ing. It Is true. but they are not fighting out a
war OF conquest. nor are they engaged in
censurabe and unjust strife. The position in
which the nation now finds itself IL not one
which it sought. nor is it one " hch it desires to
I l,,II ~ NJ ,-lA -,
Gated with safety and due regard to solemn
| obligation.
The civilized world comprshends our posi-
ton the verdict OF mankind is that the work
which We have in hand Is one which we annot
| lay aside. and it must go on until those ends
| are accomplished for which we are contending
| In honesty of purpose and in LOYALTY to the In
terests Of the human race. l cannot imagine
| how any one can read that chapter in our his
| tory in which the scene is laid In the far of
| East without feeling that some unseen and
| mysterious power has been and is at work con-
Quoting. compelling certain end which must
be accomplished. and by peaceful methods IL
1t were possible. but II not peacefully. then by
the whole force of the powers OF the state.
| We are working toward the emancipation
| Of the races in bondage. not for foreign con-
| quest. not for the repression OF any legitma ate
aspirations. not for the subjugation Of an in
| telligent people. who know their true interests
and are able to attain them. but for freedom.
for education in the act OF self-government.
| for stable institutions and the repression OF
the enemies OF progress and light.
| This celebration Of the past two days has
had double meaning 1t goes to honor an il
lustrious servant OF the state: it also goes to
show that the people are at least loyal to high
principle and set on supporting the Govern
ment so long as tho Government is right.
Could we have decorated our sacred edi1ce
with the national colors and have flung the
flag to the breeze II we had deemed the war
still going on an unhoy war-a war Of unjusti-
fable aggression. a war frauRht with disgrace
to the starry standard which floats above our
| heads?
For one I believe that the motive which
impels US to pursue the course on which We
have entered Is n pure motive. needing no
apology. calling for no defense, but founded on
reverence for the principles which go to ale
viate the condition of inferior races and en-
large the general hope OF the human race.
May venture to predct-take the country
all through-that none Of us will see the day on
which the people will withdraw from that
which they accept as a grave and terrible and
a real respon sibility. and. by falling short OF a
duty to modern civilization. and to an inferior
race unex pectedly thrown on our hands, in
curing tho derison Of other nations and Of
mankind