New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07
NAY GO THE WAY OF ROME
CIVIC HONOR NEEDED.
Justice WOOd5card Points ont amer
ica's National Dangers.

Speaking of the trend Of affairs in the ma
fion and declaring that the people are face
20 face with "a crisis whose results no man
knows" that they are threatened with the perils
OF money madness. of official dishonor and OF
the mob Justice John Woodward. Of the Ap-
peIlate Division of the Supreme Court. Second
Department, made strong plea for an uplift-
ing home life and civic righteousnessness, in
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, yesterday after
noon. He said that unless we soon attain a
keener sense of civic honor and q more aggres-
sive political righteousness we shall go the
sad way of Rome. The occasion was the an
nual memorial service of Brooklyn Lodge No.
D. B. P. o. Elks, and Justice Woodward was
the orator. The church was crowded. The plat
form was decorated with palms. evergreens and
immortelies. A fine musical programme was
given by a picked chorus and several soloists.
Bx-Sherif William J. Buttlng, exalted ruler,
presided. Thomas T. Hayden, the blind actor"
recited ''Thanatopsis," while the organ was
played softly in a minor key.
Justice Woodward said in part:
Ours is a democratic government. founded on
there more Of OstentatiOn or of enervating luxury
70 entangling diplomatic complications; yet we
chosen a road whose END no man can see IN no
country Il the Church strong in America,
murder and of robbery. No other land has so ex-
celent school system, so free press and so just
suffered SO much from the violence of the mob
citizen who, chosen to public office. proceeds to
plumber the community that has invested him with
in Office we have examples almost every day. You
most serious contemplation 1t is well look things
sQuarely in the face It Is well also TO recognize the
danger il be too late; Tor the remedy lies in our
own hands.
FACE To FACE WITH A CRISIS.
Every true patriot that is every man who has has
II - han a
lion Of the fact that We are face to face with a
which il is DIR supreme duty to meet like men
The age cries for men, for in no epoch Of our
vigorous and virtuous manhood 10 fight the nations
We not confronted with alien foe
neither are We enaGea Dy [ePeiioh he b S tlG
of The Republic. How shall We stem the money
1ReroMlag okeP 81 oi AZ 5 oq T5Ss sI are
the evils that suck the very life blood of our
national honor with deep stain.
The ballot is The ultimate remedy, but behind
the majority that rules in this republic to higher
q Reener sense Of civic honor and a more aggres-
sve political righteousness, We shall 90 the sad
way Of Rome.
REFORM MUST START IN HOMES.
The home after all, the anchor of our liberties
and the composite home always and everywhere
fore that shall save or destroy. Let it, therefore
be ne oeslanlng ana END OF our enaeay9r We
pie TO have a nober and higher ideal than that
vulgar display of ornamentals miscalled fashion
Ambition for comfort and for the rehnements of
life is in its place noble and uplifting desire
and this doubt largely is due the prosperous
condition OF the American worklngman- But its
abuse has wrecked the peace aud influence Of thou
Eanus OF American homes. and all because of that
lack Of perspective and of thar outrage of proper
zion which il the resultant Of defective ideal.
We need also (must / say it?) a higher standard
Of civic honor. Too often men divorce civic from
personal honor. Honor is honor. and. unlike an
apple, cannot be part rotten and part sound Never
have had such need Of wise leadership as to-
day.
True, the sun Of prosperity is shining above US
We have entered upon glorious a o
the great powers Of the civilized world We have
stretched a saving hand 10 the oppressed isles of
the Atlantic, and We have elevated them 10 the
freedom OF dignity and nationality. We have
Thrown a protecting arm around the langushing
Islands OF the Pacific and have promised them
Freedom and happiness. 50 long denied them We
have enlarged the sphere Of our influence in Eu-
rope, IN Asia and on the until to-day We are
haied as the foe Of tyrants and the friend Of the
oppressed. We stand ready, II need he 10 conquer
me wide world-but. alas like the great Alexander
We nave failed to conquer ourselves.
ne battle OF the future is within. is war
1are or the gCOd-a contest Of idealsP is fight
which none can shrk II behOOves US then 10 he
prepared. and 10 for the good as we see II
, or IN what hour The storm shall come no man
can sa}-yet come il viii. for not always does the