Newark post., 1914-03-11

MEETING
A tendance Doubled---Stirring
Address On National Ideals

The community meeting held IN
the High School building on Mon
day night, was pronounced, by the
large crowd present, a great sue
cess. The adjoining room as well
as the big school room was filled to
the limit, with happy, neighborly
people, in fraternal mood. The num-
Der in attendance had doubled
since the first meeting. A mus
ical program with which the even
ing began was thoroughly apprec-
lated Selections were rendered
by Mrs. J. P. Cam, Misses Raub,
Poole. McNeal and Burnite.
The speaker Of the evening,
Caleb E. Burchenal, of Whining
ton. gave a stirring address, filed
with lofty patriotism and whole
some American ideals. The speak
er spoke with an earnestness and
sincerity that gave his words I'M
usual force and interest.
Mr.. Burchenal announced his
subject, National Ideals. Just as
individuals have characteristic
traits and ideals, so have nations,
the speaker declared, contrasting
by way of illustration, the strictly
honest financiers Of China and the
disreputable ones Of Japan; refer
ring to the pleasure-loving French
people, the bull-fights of Spain, the
beer-drinking of Germany; to the
ideas of the Romans, which permit
ted them to applaud as they wit
messed the death struggles of hui
man beings, and the patriotism Of
the Greek mother, destroying her
own offspring in order to rear a
hardy race of countrymen. We as
nations think alike, act alike, ac-
cording to the moral standards Of
the nation. What seems right to
one, is wrong to another,-we mea-
usre according to our national
ideals.
Mr.. Burchenal showed how the
moral standards of nation change.
Two generations ago the country
was filled with people who actually
believed there was no harm-that
it was really right to own slaves.
The churches,-and the church
represents the people whose con-
science is most quickened on moral
subjects,-had among their men,
bCrs earnest men and women hon
estly differing to a degree that re-
suited in a division of the church.
In our own day the moral standard
concerning watering of stock, etc,
is in evolution. The same is true
concerning the liquor question and
ideas of democracy. There is abroad
IL the land new idea of democracy
1t is reflected by the people them
selves in their tendency not to Sc
lect men through delegates, but at
the primaries, and in such measures
as the Initiative and Referendum.
We are steadily moving toward |
more democracy,-and our ad-
vance must be along the lines of
public education.
The speaker referred to the i'm
portance of individual influence
and the part each one plays in the
lie of his community. Our boys
and girls carry with them thru life
as their ideals, the ideals of the
community. If we stamp on the
life OF one community good
thought, it broadens and broadens
until we find stamped upon the
United States, with it's 9O,OOO,OOO,
and finally upon the world.
The speaker paused here and re-
Peated the inspiring story of
Stonewall' Jackson, the poor boy
ool the mountains Of Virginia, quot
ing the words Of Lee, Had Stone
wall jackson been living, the Con-
1ederacy would not have fallen.'
as an illustration of the power of
one mans life.
In discussing the elements that
measure !, against community ideals.
MIR. Burchenal referred to the COM
merclal interests as power
that retards reform. Since vice
pays, money is oftentimes against
high standard Of morals. Men
.ion was made of the place of New /,
ork City IN our national life,
which IS serious condition when
we realize that 50 per cent of the ,
population of that city is foreign ,,
porn. The average visitor to our
country sees New York and believes
Pc has seen America, not pausing
70 realize that there are more Jews ,
nere than in Palestine, more Ital-
ans than IN Rome, and SO on in ,