Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1912-01-11
THURSDAY, January II, -. 1912
OLE PLACE AND DUTY.

When the new world was discov-
cred, almost at the same time devout
men OF all creeds in Europe, hailed
the discovery as divine, as supplying
the spot where at last true religion
would flourish, and the ignorance,
cruelty and superstition of the old
world would no longer haunt the
souls or chill the energies, or be the
Instruments OF cruelty and tyranny
in the hands of constituencies men.
They did not claim thata any special
creed or dogma would rule, but that
the lives and acts OF men, being no
longer restrained by what is dark
and base, would eliminate in estab-
fishing a code OF morals under which
mortals might progress, and which
would be acceptable to God.
Two hundred years ago Samuel
Sewall called our country New Je-
rusalem, and said OF it: New Je-
rusalem will not straighten and en-
feeble, but wonderfully dilate and in
Vigorate Christianity in the several
quarters of the world; in Asia, in
Africa, in Europe, and in America. "
Then he broke out in a kind of rhap-
sody.
Lift up your heads o We Gates,
and be We lift up We everlasting doors,
and the king OF glory shall come in. ;"
We think the fathers had the same
idea when they framed the constitu-
tion, and while providing that the
church should keep its hands out Of
poitics-for they had seen in Europe
the wrongs and tyrannies that fol-
low when there is a union OF church
and state-still they were careful to
insure absolute liberty for all forms
of religion under the law.
And these lessons from the past
ought to come home to us when each
new year comes in. There is too
much crime in our country. Why?
Are we all doing our duty as citizens;
what guard are we keeping over the
criminal elements in our midst?
What watch are we keeping over the
conditions Of the poor, lest through
necessity they become criminals?
There should be a guardian for
every ward OF the city, who should
be paid for his services, to report the
condition OF every poor family, and
the manner OF life of every suspicious
family, to the authorities every week
This would not cost nearly as much
as many people believe, and it would
save a world OF distress, prevent
great deal OF crime and add mater
ially to the comfort and good name
Of the city. And could every town
and city be thus watched and pa
trolled, the tone of the whole land
would be swiftly exalted, for in a
republic, much more than in mon
archy, the condition OF the units
makes up the character OF the whole.
Our people at home ought to keep
up with the influence which our coun-
try is perhaps uncOnsciously making
upon the world.
There would not be an effort on
the part of the strongest men in
China, to model a government after
ours, had not Admiral Dewey planted !
our flag over Manila. 1t is the light |
Of that flag that is shining on and on
over the mainland of Asia. That is
why Japan is protesting against a
republic there; behind the acts OF
Russia in Persia is the fear OF what
that same flag may do if permitted
to shine upon the iceberg OF ignor-
ance and Intolerance which has
chilled central Asia for twenty cen
turies.
And we at home should keep up
with Destiny and give to the flag a
more impressive majesty as each
new year comes around.-Goodwin's
Weekly.