The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-11-30

tainly intoierant religion. VI all the
passions and opinions which have
crept into the world, there is none
so despicable. SO detrimental, rs If a
man. a moral being, is SO arrogant
as to say co his brother: You are
wrong, L am right; you mnst come
over to me, do as do, or you must
suffer.
Such arrogance is nothing else but
the result of gross ignorance, OF vain
self-conceit, Of false confession ana
iu-practice. And yet, even In our
days of progress and enlightenment
we often see in many countries how
men are suffering nnder the pressure
of a dominant church and establish
ed religion.
RECENT MAssACREs.
Call, for instance, to mind the most
recent massacres, the great suner-
ings demonstrated III Russia, in
Servia and Bulgaria, the hatred OF
different denominations. 1t Is
genuine child of narrow-mindedness
and intolerance, which can thrive
only in an atmosphere in which the
progress of culture is at standstili.
Such an outgrow:h of religious
hatred and fanaticism appears i'm
possible in this our country, where
free religion forms the rule OF life.
For though narrow-nindednes evil
disposition, racial and religious
hatred l;ngerin the hearts OF some
people whose eyes are blinded
against the grand actions OF the
principles which place the American
nation in the trout of all nations,
and break up the harmonious pro-
gress of affairs upon this free soil;
vet, the doctrines Of those would-be
patriots find No sympa,hy, no CO.
operation.
The true American citizens do not
share the sentiments of those work
ers in darkness. They are and will
always be for a liberal government,
without distinction of their religious
opinions.
Such is the countrv Inhabited by a
weli-minded people. filed with men
W ho labor industriousty. act honest
lyand pass their lives uprightiy. Such
is the rise and growth Of civilization.
With just pride we may point out
the superiority Of American thought
and activity in all departments of
life. Who would not feel highly
gratified in being an American citi-
zen-native or naturalized?
A SACRED PRIVILEGE.
Who does not deem it sacred
privilege to have happy home
within these States of real unity?
Free aud open to all honest men
a welcome refuge TO the unjustly
oppressed under whatever sky their
eyes first saluted the light of day.
IF we open the book where the his
tory of the American people is re-
corded, we cannot but at every turn
of it's pages be deeply Impressed by
the wonderful growth aud course Of
American life.
People of the most different ma
tionaEity-descen and kinship, with
the greatest variance in sentiments,
dispositions, interests, habits, affec-
tions and characters-have settled
In this harmonious unlOu, to take up
the cause of humanity and liberty,
to fight under the glorious flag Of
freedom against despotism aud in
tolerance-to establish peace, equal
ity and happy social relations among
all who have chosen this continent
as their permanent abode.
What wonderful material, political
and social development of human
life is recorded in the annals of the
American people! The most vivid
dreams Of poets, ancient aud modern.
whose hearts in vain lonaed for the
recognition Of the principle Of broth
erhood and equality among men,
are here fulfilled andirealized.
Milten's words: Give me the
liberty 70 know, to think. to believe
and to utter freely according to con-
science, above all other liberties" !" is
deeply rooted in the Americ an S
heart, with whom to have freedom,
is only to have that which is abso-
lutely necessary tn enable him to be
what he ought TO be, and to possess
what he ought to possess.
Thus. there is no point Of contact
between politics and religion. in this
land of freedom 8 far as legislation
is concerned.
RELIGION ASD PATRIOTISM.
Religion and patriotism are blend
ed together in the unique sentiment
that fnds its noble expression in the
celebration Of the Thanksgiving day.
Let us. therefore. "n this day, set
apart for expressing our FEELINGS Of
gratitude toward the Divine ProvI-
dence. that has raised the American
nation to this lofty station; let US
turn our thoughts toward heaven
sand let us pray: We turn to Thee.
Heavenly Father. with a heart over
flowing with emotions Of gratitude.
We thank Thee for the lofty station
that the American nation holds
among all the nations nf the earth.
Thou hast made this country so great
aud prosperous. Thy loving Father
hand has guided the American peo-
pie through manifold trials and
struggles aud made them strong and
mighty. To Thee W. owe peace aud
tbe progress Of culture aud refine
iaemt. We thank Thee with our
whole Soui for the iiuIlrner bile hene