The Irish standard., 1907-03-02

The one hundred and seventy-fifth
anniversary Of Washington's birthday
was the occasion Of q notable celebra-
tion at the Peoples church, st. Paul.
The affair was under the auspices Of
the Sons of the American Revolution,
and the audience room was filled, with
many children in the gathering.
The chief feature Of the program was
an oration OH "The American Repub-
lic'' by Archbishop Ireland, although
the singing Of "The Star Spangled
Banner" Hail Columbia" 1.-The Stars
and Stripes Forever and "America"
by a chorus Of children ranged along
the balcony rail was an inspiring and
pleasing feature. The little boys and
girls sang with much effect. and Or
the singing Of America" at tho close
of the program the audience Joined i'll
swelling the volume but not drowning
out the childish voices.
Judge John Lay Smith Of Mi1111e-
apolis, president of the Minnesota So
ciety, presided. Rev. Maurice D. Ed
wards Of st. Paul gave the invocation
and Archbishop Ireland pronounced the
benediction. The room was hung with
flags in tasteful array, and hanging
from the pulpit was a silken flag which
could we'll be regarded as q replica
of the flag made for the infant republic
by Betsy Ford in her humble Pl1iladel-
pllia home, for the flag displayed on
Washington's birthday was made by a.
granddaughter of Betsy Ford.
The program was preceded by a half
hour organ recital by Jason E. Wait.
Archbishop Ireland's address was
down on the program as an oration,
but it was more a sermon on patriot
ism than anything else. 1t was mas
terful, scholarly, thoughtful, cvidenc-
ing a clear insight into the duties and
obligations of citizenship in the Amer
lean republic, and pointing the way for
the conscientious discharge Of such
duties and responsibilities. 1t was an
address which will bear careful peru
sal for years to come.
The speaker led up to his conclu-
sions by outlining in d mastery man.
ner the essential principles on which
the American republic was founded.
He dealt at considerable length with
the purpose Of the trainers Of the Con-
stitution, pointing out how they sought
to preserve civil and political liberty,
how they sought to prevent liberty i'll
order and order in liberty. They real
lied that it was necessary to recog-
nize the dignity Of manhood, and this
could be best done in a democracy.
Democracy recognizes and conse-
crates the dignity of manhood; guar
antees equality of rights and opportu-
mites. Under the reign Of democracy
one man is not born a patrician or q
feudal lord and another plebian or IL
serf. Every one is born man. IIc
who today is the poorest and hunblest
citizen may tomorrow be the highest
and most honored OF the nation.
Democracy is civil liberty, the own
ership of ones self, and vindicates for
every member. OF the community the
fullest liberty compatible with the well
fare of all. Democracy is political lib
erty, the palladium Of civil liberty, the
guardian of all the other blessings with
which it enriches nation"
The speaker pointed out how the
principles of democracy are safeguard
ed in the Constitution, how the SUI
preme court is the great bulwal1 Of
civil and political liberty. how that
court is safeguarded from the. caprice
or whim OF even the people themselves.
"The Constitution Of the United
States safeguards liberty, it establishes
OIL a, secure and enduring basis the
sovereignty of the people. The pro-
visions Of the Constitution are such
that at all times the people remain
the masters ,and, officials, legislative
80 go.