The Mena weekly star., 1911-06-15
GIBBONS PLEADS
GOOD CITIZENSHIP
Beloved Head of Roman Catholic
Church in America Urges Sub
mission 10 the Laws--Is Given
a Big Demonstration.

Dleu at the flftn hcglmental Arm
DRY yesterday TO pay honor TO Car
dinal Gibbons upon the occasion of
the cardinals 50th anniversary of
his admittance to the priesthood
and the twenty-flfth anniversary of
his elevation TO the cardinalate.
Among the men foremost in the
affairs of the nation present were
President Taft, ex-president Roose-
welt, Chief Justice White Of the
United States Supreme Court who,
by the way, is stanch Catholic;
ex-Speaker Cannon, Vice President
Sherman, Speaker Clark, Ambassa-
dor Bryce and Governor Crothers of
Maryland.
Cardinal Gibbons Address.
II am filled with emotions of
gratitude by this extraordinary
manifestation on the part of my fell
low citizens, without distinction of
race or religion or condition of
life" said the venerable prelate in
opening his address, "and | am
overwhelmed with confusion by the
unmerited encomiums which have
been pronounced by the President
of the United States, the Vice Pres
ident, the Chief Justice of the Unit
ed States, the former President the
Speaker of the House OF Represen-
tatives, the governor of Maryland
and the mayor of Baltimore.
NEnnttnrnnn hnsfn nm a
your subject, not, | fear, as he is,
but as he should be. But your por-
trait is so attractive that it shall be
my endeavor to resemble it more
and more every day of the few
years that remain TO me. One merit
only | can truly claim, and that is,
an ardent love of my native country
and her political Institutions. Ever
since | entered the sacred ministry,
my aim has been TO make those
over whom | exerted any influence
not only more upright Christians,
but also more loyal citizens. For
the most faithful Christian makes
the best citizen.
Il consider the republic of the
United States one of the most pre-
cious heirlooms ever bestowed on
mankind down the ages, and that il
is the duty, and should be the de-
light of every citizen TO strengthen
and perpetuate our government by
the observance of its laws, and by
the integrity of his private life.
righteousness, says the Book OF
Proverbs, 'exalteth a nation, but sin
is n reproach to the people,.
III our government is destined to
be enduring, 1t must rest on the
eternal principles of justice, truth
and Righteousness, and these prin-
ciples must have further sanction
the recognition of a Supreme Being
who created all things by His pow
er, who governs them by His wis
dom, and whose experimenting
providence watches over the affairs
of nations and of men.
When the trainers of our inn
mortal constitution were in session
Benjamin Franklin complained TO
his colleagues Of the small progress
they had made after several weeks
of elaboration. He used those me-
morable words: We have spent
many days in fruitless discussion
We have been cropping in the dark
because we have not sought light
from the Father of Light to illu-
mine our understanding. | have
lived he continued, FOR many
years, and the longer live the more
convincing proofs l have that God
governs the affairs of men. And If
d sparrow cannot fall to the ground
without His notice, is it probable
that an empire can rise without His
n III orA M ...< AL
in the same sacred writings that
unless the Lord build the house. he
lab0reth in vain who buildeth it,
Thank God. the words of Frank
lin did not fall on barren soil. They
have borne fruit. Our government
from it's dawn to the present time
has been guided by Christian ideals.
1t has recognized the existence of
experimenting providence. This
is evident from the fact that our
presidents, from the first to the last.
have almost invariably invoked the
aid of our heavenly Father in their
proclamations. Both
houses of congress are opened with
prayer. The Christian Sabbath is
recognized and observed throughout
the land. The president Of the
United States issues an annual proc
inviting his fellow citizens
10 assemble in their respective |
houses of worship and thank the |
for the blessings vouch- |
sdfed to us as a nation.
1t is true indeed that there is no |
official union of church and state in |
this country. But we must not in |
fer from this that there is any an /
Iagonism between the civil and re-
lIglous authorities. Far from it, |
The church and state move on par
aliel lines. They mutually assist |
Dne another. The state holds over
The spiritual rulers the aegis of its |
protection without interfering with |
he sacred and God-given rights Of |
conscience And the church on her |
part helps TO enforce the civil laws |
by moral and religious sanctions.
Il fear that we do not fully real /
re and are not duly grateful for the
anxious cares by which our chief |
and the heads of the CO.
ordinate branches of the seyars.
nent are preoccupied in the dis
'harge of their official duties. And
hese cares are the price which is
laid for our domestic peace and
'omfort and the tranquility of the
When the traveller
n mid-ocean is buffetedxahout by
ne waves. he feels a sense of Sc
'urity because he knows that the
'aptain and his officers are at the
,ost of duty. So do we securely
est on our pillows because we are