Arizona republican., 1912-02-12
THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
 DISCUSSED BY BISHOP J. W. ATWOOD

Address given in st. Luke's Church, Prescott Sunday. February Il. pre- liminary to the admission of Arizona to Statehood. by the Rt. Rev. J. W. Atwood, Bishop of Arizona
 And before Him shall be Fathered all nations St AIatth. 25. -.
 Coming here on the eve Of the birth day of the most illIIstrious. as we'll as the most loved and revered of Amcri- can Presidents and citizens which is cCincidpnt with the birth Of a new commonwealth. I have chosen for my subject the Spirit Of American Democ- racy, which should be interpreted as Freedom. Fraternity. and Peace
 In a few copies. still yxtant of the unfinished work of a great English historian on the title page may be read that his history Ot the period of civilization which he is tracing, enls with the downfall of the American Re public. Such was the dire prophecy, with no doubt of its speedy fu.iillment. which penetrated the mind Of the his torian and his European contempora- ries in the early years of the evil war.
 
 of many a despairing and cowardly soul in our own land. who seemed to lose faith in God and the Divine mis- sion to fulnl. to which He had sum- moned this nation when He called it into being.
 The greatest of all debts which this country owes to Lincoln is this; that iI the darkest hours. surrounded il may be with timid and doubting coun- seIors. harassed by friend and foe alike his mighty faith in God anu country never wavered. but his great. loving. strong and tender soul - saw with increasing force and meaning the vision of the united and redeemed and purified nation: even though. like Moses he stood alone with God and apart from his fellows. upon his Mount Pisgah. anl could only look with long ing eyes over into that promised land which he himself could never enter, but which his labors, with the divine guidance. were destined to give for a rich possession to his people.
 The supreme faith and charity and peace Of the man is shown in his final message to his people only d few short days before his tragic death "Fomly do We hope. fervently do we pray. that this mighty ScOurge of war may speed fly pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled up by the bOndmen's two hundred and fifty years of unrequitel toll shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword. as was said three thousand years ago. so still it must be said that the judgments "f the Lord are true and righteous al- together" With malice towards none. with charity for all. with firmness in the right. as God gives us to see the right, let Us strive on to finish the work We are in. to bind up the Ma tons wounds. to care for h.m who shall have borne the battle. and for his widow and orphans. and to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves. and among all nations"
 This deep sense Of responsibility for the whole country. for loyal and re- bellious citizen alike. which increas-
 
 face of Lincoln while it left it's rich imprint upon his great heart. made him like Washington. incapable of bit terness and revenge. and through it's purgatorial and cleansing fires sank the partisan in the patriot. who loved his country better than party. who em- i braced the whole land in his mighty arms and would fain recognize. if pos sible. no geographical distinctions of North or South. East or West. no di- l visions of class in rich and poor. learn | cd and ignorant. or even of race and | privilege. - The great truths 0f liberty. frater- nity and nationality. taught long ago ir the precepts and sacrifices = Wash ington, and the fathers of the Repub-