South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-01

Army of the Republic ordered that
this day be set aside for the honoring
/ Of the soldiers who had fought and
| died for their country. Whether
| those who have gone be buried in
marked graves or in the bottom of
| the Potomac, II matters not for we
honor and respect all the same.
I'VE are all familiar with the events
| of the war from the time that the
! flag was insulted at Fort Sumpter until
/ the Gay that Lee surrendered at Apo
mattOX, and so 1 will pass by them
I to a consideration of the QUESTION:
which arose when the nation was
! threatened. 1t was then that blot
! appeared on the country's escutch-
con. The Declaration Of Independ-
ence. that greatest document next to
| Gods word, sets forth that every hu-
man being was entitled to life, liber
/ ty and the pursuit of happiness, and
I yet there were in this country some
human beings who were not enjoying
that freedom. 1t was for that reason
| that Lincoln issued the call TO arms
which found a response in the hearts
of men from every walk of life.
Fought for Humanity.
THE men who went forward in re-
Spouse to that call went in the cause
OF union and humanity. That war
was indeed a war for humanitarian
purposes and we are paying our re-
spects today to the remnants of those
noble men of America who went forth
to sacrifice, If need be, their lives on
the altar of their country. 1t was the
honor of their flag that required such
a sacrifice.
The civil war was one of the great
est wars that had ever been fought.
We must give the southerners credit
for having felt entirely justified in
/ Oh urhi
lieved TO be just. They held the state
above the federal government. while
the north declared the federal gov
eminent to be greater than the state.
During all that war there was only
the true spirit of patriotism to urge
the soldiers on and no feeling of en-
nifty between the soldiers themselves.
The soldiers of the north were fight
ing for freedom and justice and the
upholding of the constitution, and
Lincoln, a profoundly religious man,
believed that God had placed his ap-
probation on the cause.
Lincoln Not COnquerOr.
After the war Lincoln did not take
stand as a conqueror, but as a man
filled with kindness, charity and truth.
He pleaded with the conquered to re-
turn to their homes and their daily
work and to cultivate patriotism. 1t
has been proven how Americans have
cultivated patriotism.
True patriotism must be founded
in the love of God. Race and creed
all disappear when true patriotism
comes. Patriotism means not only
love of country but love for our fell
low men. In the civil war there were
leaders born of foreign parents whose
AmericaniSm was quite as true as that
of those leaders who were born OF ma
tive parents. There is a wonderful
future before this country where the
best of every land has come to be as
greatest country on earth.
I'VE ought to all be solely Ameri-
cans. We may have a love for our
fatherIand and our mother tongue,
but we must remember that our one
duty is to be true TO all the laws Of
the adopted country. This is the land
of the free and every man has a right
TO worship as his conscience dictates.
1t is not patriotism to attempt to re-
tard or to injure ones neighbOr If he
is not of the same creed or nationality
as we are. Every foreigner, whether
great or small. is entitled to all the
rights provided for by the cOnstitu-
ton.
War Often Necessary.
Look over the ocean if you will
and see the greatest war that the
world has ever known. We do not
know but that we will be brought in
TO that war. despite the prudence and
wisdom of our president. / am a be-
lever in peace, but / do not believe in
peace for peace'S sake. 1t Is not ne
cessary that we should be called upon
to humiliate ourselves. There are
times when war is necessary, just as
il was in 1861, and if the time of war
should ever come again 10 this cOun-
/ try, l want to see every foreign born
youth spring to arms as readily az
would the native born youth. You
may be called upon TO face the coun-
try from whence you came, but never
theless remember that this is your
country and that YOU owe all 10 it.
christianity is the same today as
it was before the European war til
is on the evil tendencies of ourselves
that we must place the blame for war
and not on the work of Christianity.
Let US continue To live here in fTater-
nal charity and love. for America isl
! indeed the gem OF the ocean and the
| land of the free" We can serve our
country best by serving God. Be 10y
al. noble children of Amberica and
stand back OF the president who. as
has been proven by that great dOCu-
ment recently penned by him. is a
Christian man working in the interests
OF justice.
ITO you men OF the Grand Army Of
I the Republic who are living examples
of sacrifice, I extend my best wishes
and pray that you may live long 10
teach our children the precepts of pa
triotism. When at last YOU join the
Grand Army OF Eternity YOU may re-
ceive the crown which you so nobly
/ deserve"
GARDEN CLUB TO MEET