Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-04
RELIGION is RESPONSIBLE
Attributes Development of This
Country to Influence of Christianity.
CONSTITUTION THE GREATEST
In Grafton at District Building This
Morning He Compares It to
Sermon on the Mount.

country to the quickening influence of
the Christian religion. and declaring that
Americans need not fear for the future
for the reason that the finger of God is
writing their history, Justice Thomas H.
Anderson Of the District Supreme Court
course Of patriotic exercises conducted
this morning in front of the District
building
Justice Anderson discussed the epoch
lined the causes and results of them. and
declared that this republic of one hundred
| millions of people. representing the most
stupendous reservoir of human energy
in all history. has but fairly entered upon
her matchless career. He compared the
Constitution of the United States to the
Sermon on the Mount, which. he assert
ed, Is its only prototype.
Prior to Justice Anderson's address sew
eral hundred persons gathered in front
Of the District building to listen to
musical program by the Marine Band.
which began at $40 O'Clock. Members
Of the joint committee of the Chamber
Of Commerce and Board Of Trade. which
arranged for the safe and sane" cele-
bration. occupied seats at the top of
tho District building steps. The only
other feature OF the exercises, in addition
to Justice Andersons address and the
selections by the Marine Band. was the
reading of the Declaration of Independ-
ence nv E,-neaf Cichner
Refers to National Growth.
Commencing his address by referring
| to the fact that Americas two great me-
mortal days are the Fourth of July and
| the Goth of May, Justice Anderson re-
ferred to the national growth which
took place between the events making
these dates dear to all Americans. He
told of the test Of the nation, which
came with the civil war and Of the re-
building that followed the destruction
resulting from the long strife between
the north and south.
The third epoch in our history. he said
was the war with Spain. 1t only re-
auired. he pointed out. some just occasion
to arouse the public conscience and bring
us face to face with our manifest destiny
as a Christian nation.
The occasion came when the oppres-
stve hand Of Spain was laid too heavily
upon Cuba.
In placing an Interpretation upon the
various epochs the District Supreme
Court member said:
Il have thus briefly sketched the
eventful years that lie behind us, to
| the end that we might see. with clearer
vision. II possible. that we are not here
by the mere accident Of history-that
this priceless heritage is not ours, by
the mere fist of our own power. nor by
the mere fiat of our own power. nor by
as divinely chosen people to work
out great and glorious end
IF you ask what are the chief in
fiuences entering into our national life.
that make this republic at once the
wonder and admiration of the world. l
answer. they are to be found in the
republic the streams Of human progress
received into their sluggish currents
for the first time the quickening in
fiuence and dynamic force of the Chris
tional patriotism. Grasp this great
truth and you grasp the mystery-if
mystery there be-of our marvellous
growth and power
Speaks Of Great Leaders.
have been given America Justice An
Lincoln and Mckinley the nation has a
trinity Of names that will live for all
time and be the inspiration Of their
eountrymen throughout all generations.
Referring TO the problems OF the
future, Justice Anderson said that the
wisdom and common sense of the peo-
pie may be trusted to rightfully and
timely settle, them. He spoke at length
nin0 10
declared so far transcends other con-
situations that 1t has come to be
model after which the organic laws OF
other enlightened governments are
being framed
Its highest purpose. he said. rs
the general welfare of the people. and
it is therefore constructive rather than
restrictive. Hence 1t follows that
every undertaking that has for Its OBJ
ject the advancement OF civilization
and the betterment of the people,
whether by the state. by individuals
or by organizations acting under an
scope of the public welfare clause of
the Constitution, and is entitled to our
loyal support. uninfuenced by party
afiiliations local prejudice or denomi-
national doctrines or differences.
I'm thus directing your attention to the
scona and purpose of the national Con-
stitution, 1 would reawaken your inter
est and stir up your minds 70 q nlsner
liberties 1t so far transcends all other
constitutions ever devised by the wit OF
man that 1t has come to be the &C
cepted model, after which the organic
laws Of other enlightened governments
are being fashioned, in order to meet the
eyer-increasing demands OF the people
for larger liberty and the right 10 par
ticipate in the making and execution OF
the laws under which they live.
First Organic Law in History.
1T is the first organic law in the
history OF mankind hased on natural
Justice, and. therefore. its only prototype
is to be found in the Sermon on the
Mount. the worlds first and greatest
constitution.
ut is under the safeguards Of this mar
velous charter of liberty that our good
ship of state. greater In power and
moral influence than the combined dread
noughts of all the navies OF the world
| for more than 100 years has held her
| course. until the thirteen stars, lighting
up the field of blue Of her glorious flag,
nailed to her masthead in 1850, have
multiplied to forty-eight in 1911"
Justice Anderson concluded his ad-
dress with an appeal to all Americans
| to love and respect the law. Destroy
| the citadel of the law. he said, and
| liberty would perish.
| "As the harmony Of the universe Is
alone maintained by obedience to the
| immutable laws of God. SO the har-
mony Of the world. and the peace and
happiness Of mankind. can only be es-
| tabl!shed and maintained by obedience
| to the laws and due respect for the
| courts. whose duty it ia to wisely and
| jastlv administer them" he concluded