The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-07-08
GOOD CITIZENS OF
A GREAT COUNTRY
Was Theme of Patriotic Ad-
dress by Rev. II. Dutill at
Methodist Church.

A patriotic service was held at St.
| James Methodist church last Sunday
night. The pastor had arranged for
special music and special address, the
address TO be given by layman If one
could be secured. Failing to get the
layman, Mr. Dutill delivered the address
himself rather than give up his special
| service.
Mr.. Dutill'S theme was "Good Citi-
zens of Great Country" and he said in
part:
"At the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, the 134th anniversary of
which we celebrate tomorrow, no proph-
ct was farsighted enough to see the pres
ent greatness of this nation. A
This nation is Gods latest gift to the
world, and its development seems like a
development of the Divine plan for the
welfare of the race. Notice some OF the
marks of our material greatness. In our
saving banks the common people have
on deposit 13,4O5, ,709. Our 100000
miles of railway, connecting the various
sections of Our far-reaching domain,
have an annual revenue of 5000, 900, 900.
But our true wealth is in our 100000
of people. True wealth is in manhood.
Whoever seeks the welfare of this
great population, is the true friend OF his
Countrywide PATRIOT. The real sig
nificance of the Fourth of July is found
in the perpetuation of the declaration of
the right of all to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness Our schools, fra
ternal societies, and our churches show
themselves the patriotic organizations.
they claim to be by their persistent con-
tention for these rights. But there are
enemies as well as friends to think about.
Whoever or whatever seeks or tends TO
the degradation of manhood, is the
enemy of our land. Here are some of
the things that threaten to degrade us:
Disregard for the sanctity of the home;
disregard for the Sanctity of human life;
the fierce passion for money-the love
OF money is still the root of evil.
'Judge Hall of the U. S. District Court
of New York, in recent speech, said,
AN habitual, incorrigible enemy of So
ciety should be Solemnly adjudged to be
put 10 DEATH He was speaking Of un-
punished crime, of mob violence and
the like. | name one incorrigible enemy
of society, the source of gross crimes as
well as the arch-criminal, for the speedy
execution of which all good citizens
should strive. If | should call together
the young manhood of our country,
strong, glorious young manhood, and
sion of our fair land, they would offer
themselves as one man TO go to any place
and suffer unto the death for this same
land; and yet an enemy threatens, and
yearly destroys 100000 citizens. II |
should assemble the young womanhood
of our land, fair and pure and beautiful
young womanhood, and tell them an
enemy threatens to enter their homes
and drag them to ruin, they would be
moved TO make any sacrifice to fight
back such foe; and yet such foe is in
our land doing that same dreadful work,
and thousands annually go from purity
TO shame. If could get the ear of 3O,-
000, 900 church members of my country,
and like some prophet of old before
Jerusalem tell of the threatened invasion
of our land, we would leave our pulpits
and our pewS and hasten TO strengthen
the hands of those who fight; and yet an
invasion of all that is holy is on--the
enemy is here If could meet in their
halls the II 600, 900 of fraternity men and
point TO threatened overthrow of our
liberties by an incorrigible foe to all
they stand for, they would be reminded
of their obligations, and join the great
army in defense of our land. And yet
that enemy more than threatenS-it is
entrenched in our midst and under the
protection of our flag. ItiS the legalized
saloon, and against this foe all our fra
ternal orders and all our churches and
all our best citizens have pronounced.
81 have stood in the midst of our
saloon cursed cities and seen the smoke
of the torment OF the damned in ruined
homes arise seemingly forever. My ears
have heard the cry from worse than
widowed women and orphaned children.
And have sworn eternal war against
this incorrigible enemy 10 good citizen
shin"