Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-23
GOVERNOR MICKEY TO MEN
States Chief Executive Addresses a Large
Audience at Kountze Church.
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP is HIS TOPIC
Says There H. Mistaken Idea in the
Minds of Many tina Liberty
and License Are the
same.

Kountze Memorial church had no vacant
seats to offer yesterday afternoon when
Governor Mickey spoke on christian Cit
izenship," at a patriotic meeting under the
auspices Of tN Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION. The governors address partook
largely of the nature of a patriotic SER
mon, held the audience, which was COM
posed exclusively OF men. at close atten-
tion and several times was interrupted by
applause. 1t was preceded by a song and
prayer service. Special invitations had been
issued to Grand Army men and members
of the Union Veterans union, Willard and
Thurston Rifles. Omaha Guards and the
Loyal Legion, and each was we'll repre-
scented. The old soldiers, however, made
the better showing.
After the benediction had been pro-
nounced Governor Mickey stood at the
chancel rail and clasped hands with 200
men, including Mayor Moores and many
ether well known citizens.
Speaks with Feeling.
There we're times during the address when
the governor appeared to be much affected.
Particularly was this true when he was
describing that the highest service a man
can render to his brothers is to be their
servant, and declared that the only way
a man in public office could do what was
right is to try with all his might to ges
close to God, and to seek spiritual guild
ance with all earnestness. The voice Of
the speaker grew husky, and after he had
diverted the seriousness OF his words by
a well-turned bit of humor. many Of the
old soldiers covertly reached for their
handkerchief to dry their eyes. In part
the governor said:
These are days which forcefully remind
us of patriotism and of the sacrifices which
have been made in securing and perpet-
uating civil liberty in this nation OF ours.
During the past four weeks we have OBJ
served the birthdays of Lincoln and Nc
Kinley and today our thoughts turn to-
ward the Father of his Country and we
seek to gain some lessons from a life which
is a conspicuous example of the ~loftiest
patriotism and whose most enduring monu-
ment is the esteem and reverence existing
in the hearts of a liberty loving people.
ut was the Rev. Joseph Cook who said,
in 1884: we will never have an ideal re-
public until every active citizen is an &C
tive Christian and every active Christian Is
an active citizen 1 believe that this prin-
ciple is true. Every citizen should be a
man.; should love God, and should try to
make this republic what God would have
it and not what the politicians would
have 1t.
Patriotism is love for country and devo-
ton to its institutions and principles. In
earthly affairs it is considered one of the
highest traits of character. We strive to
inculcate 1t in our children and we cher
ish the memory of those who possessed II
in a marked degree. But there is another
country toward which we are all fast has
tening and Of which we hope to eventually
become accepted citizens. In fact, the
kingdom of God is established here upon
earth that we may all have the knowledge
of adoption into 1t.
Demand Spiritual Patriotism.
This heavenly country demands of a
spiritual patriotism, the counterpart Of
earthly patriotism. 1t would be of a
more intense and consuming character even
as the interests at stake are correspond
ingly more important. This patriotism is
manifested by knowing and doing the will
of our Father, which is in heaven.
There is a mistaken idea in the minds
Of many that liberty and license are one
and the same thing-that under the pretext
of personal liberty one may be justified
in giving free rein to his baser passions.
On this assumption is predicated the argu-
ment in favor of the saloon, the open Sab
bath and all other forms Of ~iniquity. 1t is
simply a case where liberty ID mistaken
for license. The only person who can en-
10y perfect liberty is the child Of God.
The true child of God has no desire to
do things which are inconsistent with
Chrtst's teachings and hence his liberty
of action is perfect and complete"