New-York tribune., 1907-12-22
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I'm GOD WE TRUST"
Placed on Coins as Prayer, Says
En-GoUermor L. Bradford Prince.

| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
| Sir: In the voluminous correspondence which
the proposed discontinuance of the words I'm
God We Trust has called forth I have not seen
any mention of the point which to me is the i'm
portant and controlling 1 refer to the
ingratitude involved in discardng the words at
| this time: ingratitude to God for past protec-
ton and blessings, and a virtual assumption
that the nation is now so strong that it is in
dependent of any heavenly aid. To those who
remember the circumstances under which the
words were placed upon coins this ingrati-
tude seems not only SELF sufficient and arrogant
but despicable
The nations life in direct danger. It was
assailed by a gigantic rebellion. Many of its
sons who had received its highest honors and
should have been its most trusted defenders
when the day of trial came had proved recreant
and had raised their hands against the country
which had given them place and power. Army
officers who had been trained by the country.
who owed their education and military knowl-
edge 10 the generosity of the nation, who time
after time had taken oaths of allegiance and
sworn to support and defend the government,
had shown themselves unworthy of trust and
were using the weapons placed in their hands
by their country in an unholy attempt to de-
stroy IT.
Not only was the life Of the nation in jeop-
ardy, but on that life hung the hope of free in
sttutions for the world Previous republics,
though strong to resist foreign foes. had fallen
when assailed by treason and rebellion from
within and if the great American Republic thus
failed it was death blow TO the principles Of
self government
No graver crisis confronted a people.
Many disappointments and disasters had weak
ened self-confidence till at last, strong in the
sense of right. but humbled by delay and de-
Tpar tna
expression, from the very souls of the people,
In God We Trust" It was not simply creed.
an expression of belief; it was prayer 1t was
an Acknowledgements that only by Gods blessing
on the justice Of our cause was victory to be
assured, and il was an appeal to the Majesty
of High Heaven to aid the right. 1t was a brief
paraphrase of the ringing words Of the prayer
which was used for four long years, Thou sit
test on the throne judging right and therefore
we make our appeal to thy Divine Majesty" and
those sentences of the iitany,
30 lord! let thy mercy be showed upon u.s.
AS We do put our trust in Thee"
And so. as an expression of this profound feel
ing in the hearts of the people. the words I'm
God We Trust" We're placed upon our coins.
The God in whom trusted gave us VIC
tory and peace and union.
And now, when we have grown strong. when
we boast of being a world power. when we de-
pend on great ships and vast armaments. when
in short We have outgrown fear and believe that
we can depend on the strength of own arm.
we are called 10 be ingrates. 10 forget the
debt OF gratitude due TO the Almighty in the
day of trial and TO announce self -sufficiency
in the face of men and angels by erasing the
words which were at once declaration of faith
and prayer for protection and practically as
serting that We longer dependent on the
power and the mercy of God. but viii depend on
our own strength and wealth
History. sacred and profane. is fun OF such
examples. from the days of Babel down. and
the sequels OF them all have been additional
proofs that pride goeth before a fall"
i. BRADFORD PRINCE
Santa Fe, N NJ. Dec. IL 1907.