The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-26
President Emphasizes the Need of Civic
Righteousness at Open Air Missionary
Meeting in Washington.

give the hest that your minds have got
10 IL also
Il want 10 call your attention to
something that is especially my business
for the time being. and that is your busi-
ness all the time. or else you are unfit 20
be citizens 81 this republic. In the sew
enth hymn which We sang In the last
line. YOU all Joined In singing, God save
the state DO you intend to merely sing
that or 10 try 10 do it? If you intend
merely 70 sing &c. your part in doing Il
will be but small. The state will be
saved IL tho Lord puts IL into the heart
Of the avetage American so 10 shape his
life that the state shall he worth saving
and only on those terms
CIVIC RIGHTEOUSNESS
we need civic righteousness The
best constitution that the witness OF
man has ever devised. the best institu-
tions that the ablest statesman In the
world ever have reduced 70 practice by
law or by custom, shall be OF no avail IL
they are not viv;fied by the spirit which
makes "A state great by making II hon
est lust and brave in the first place.
II do not ask YOU n practical believers
I'm applied Christianity to take part one
way or the other in matters that are
merely political
There are sides OF questions about
which honest men can and do differ very
greatly and very intensely, about which
the triumph of either side may be com
patible with the welfare OF the state--a
lesser degree OF welfare or greater de-
gree Of welfare-but compatible with the
welfare % the state. But there are GER
tain great principles such as those whi. n
Ctomwel would have called funda-
inentels concerning which no one has
right 10 have but one opinion Such
a question - honesty. IL YOU have not
honesty in the average private citizen or
public servant then all else goes for
nothing. Not only the honesty that
keeps it's skirts technically clear. but the
honesty that is such according 10 The
spirit as well as the letter or the law
the honesty that IL aggressive. the hon
csty that not merely deplores cor
ruptIon-but that which wars against Il
and tramples Il under foot.
AGAGNsT WRONG IN EVERY SHAPE.
Il ask FOR that type Of honesty ask
for militant honesty. for the honesty of
the kind that makes those who have II
disconteuted with themselves az long as
they have failed 10 do everything that in
them lies 10 stamp out dishonesty where
evil can be found in high place or in low.
Il ask. then. that our people feel quick
ened within them the banning indIna-
tlon against wrorz in every shape which
shall take effect I'm condemnation and es-
pecially an condemnation of that wrong
whether found in private or public lifs a.
tho moment, Surely in every movement
for the bettcrmcnt % our life We have \
special right 10 ask rot merely support
bat leadership from those 81 the chcreh.
We ask that you here 70 whom much has
been given viii remember that from you
rightly much will be expected IN return.
Tf ~ ~
in pleafant places. Each ~ us has been
given one talent h-e. ten. and each " us
"a in honor bound 80 use that talent on
those talents Alright and 10 show that a.
the end he is entitled 30 the praise as
having done well as faithful servant"