Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-27
Palais Royal Ct and 18th Streets. e. e.


for the people. Its best and hottest inter-
ests are protected and safeguarded by the
ma jesty of the law. the only earthly SOW
ereign to whom the American freeman pays
homage; protected and safeguarded by the
love of country and pride OF citizenship,
merged in the single expression: American
patriotism.
I'm this patriotism Of the masses lies our
country's strength and conscious or
this strength. often put to the test
and never found wanting, America may
view with calmness and composure any ma
tional or international difficulties as they
have arisen and may still further ARSE
even the economic and Industrial problems
awaiting their solution and adjustment.
However troublesome they may be they 40
not present as alarming and dangerous an
which our people. or part of our people. suf-
fer, may be righted by the people them
selves. They are at once plaintiff, jury ana
Judge, the ballot being the means by which
they may seek redress and obtain every
right and privilege guaranteed TO each
American citizen under the Constitution.
1--WE undoubtedly have our faults. which
may be termed national; faults like our
fast and hurried mode of living, and work
ing and enjoying ourselves, SO often con-
trasted with the easy go-as-you-piease
manner In which they live in the countries
whence we came. Yet it Is fact that
American tourists abroad return homewaro
with hearts ever more aglow with PRIDE
and patriotism, glad and happy to set foot
cnce more upon the soil of their country.
queen among all lands, country without q
peer
And what is thy occupation?' In other
lands on the answer to this query depends
mans standing In the community as Well
his chances for success and advance
ment. Not SO under our democratic form
of government. Here. men most prominent
in science. art and literature. in finance,
politics and statecraft have risen from OBJ
security. Here the bootblack has become
millionaire. and the poor boy employed on
canal boat the chief magistrate of The
nation. Here the question. What Is thy
occupation does not affect our estimate
of the worth and character of a man, nor
his success or failure in life. Whatever
ones occupation. and be 1t the humbicst
and lowliest. 1t affords livelihood to tho
industrious, and to the ambitious may be
tho stepping stone to future distinction,
honor and glory.
And Of What People.
''This leads us to the last query of our
text: OF what people art thou?" The
question of what people art thou. of what
nationality and religion. has. from an
American point of view. as little weight in
forming an estimate of ones worth or use
fulness as the question what 10 thy occupa-
tion.' Today all the people of this wide
land. north. south. east, west, join hands
under the glorious banner of the stars and
stripes. However widely and inimically
apart may stand the German from the
Frenchman, the Englfshman from the IRISH
man in the countries whence they came.
here under the common national emblem
they gladly clasp hands for the promotion
of the best interests of the country of their
adoption. The Protestants, the Catholics.
the Jews, II they be true Americans, on a
day like this feel themselves lifted above
narrow distinctions of dogma and creed in
the consciousness of the same divine bles-
sings received in the past. the same hopes
for the future and the same solemn duties
and responsibilities as citizens Of a great
common country. equally dear and precious
to all! And let me say II earnestly and en-
phatically that the mooted race question
bearing on the rights Of the colored man.
the only one on which our country seems
divided, can and eventually must find its
solution on the lines OF American patriot
ism. justice and righteousness, and the
great fundamental religious principle Of the
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood Of
mani
THE prophet of our story could not es-
cape the task God had given him to per-
form. Also to US has been assigned great
and solemn duty; the duty Of good citizen
ship with all that Is implied therein. None
dare escape 1t: none can escape 1t without
injury to himself and others. Let us then
foster grateful spirit as we ponder the
queries of our text and let US be dutiful
praying with the penitent prophet: I will
sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of
thanksgiving; will pay what have vowed.
salvation Is Of the Lord" ~