The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-08-21
CARDINAL GIBBONS
ADDRESSES MASS
MEETING IN N. Y.

New York, Aug. 20.-James Cardi-
nal Gibbons delivered an address be-
fore a mass meeting at Madison
Square Garden last night, as one of
the features Of the Catholic Week
program Of the American Federation
of Catholic Societies.
He said in part:
"You live IN a republic where there
is liberty without license, and author
ity without depotism; and where the
civil rulers hold over you the aegis
of its protection without interfering
with the God-given rights. of con-
science.
In view of the signal blessings you
enjoy, it is your duty to take an ac-
tive, personal, vital interest in the well
fare Of your country. You should
glory in her prosperity, and be con-
eerned at every adversely that may
befall her. You should hold up the
arms of those who are charged with
the administration of public affairs,
as the children of Israel held up the
hands of Moses while he interceded
for them before the Lord.
"The inspired word of God enjoins
this loyalty to country and reverence
for its rulers. The religion you pro-
fess demands this fealty. The consti-
tutions of your respective societies
uphold it; and l am sure that there
is not single fibre of your heart
which does not pulsate with a genuine,
undivided love for the republic and its
sacred traditions.
81 venture to say that every mem
Der of your society is loyal citizen.
Every citizen patriot; every patriot
a soldier; every soldier a hero; and
every hero would be a martyr, to die
if need be for his country.
There are some pessimistic proph-
cts who are in the habit of predicting
the downfall of our republic. They
are more frequently heard on the eve
of a presidential election. I have
been listening to these dire forebod-
ings for over fifty years, but on the
morning after election, we find, the
prophets sounded a false alarm, that
the country is safe, and that the gov
eminent is transacting business at the
same old stand.
'For my part, I have an abiding
faith in the endurance of the republic
| might base my hope on the intelli-
gence and patriotism of the American
people. | might base my confidence
on the wisdom of our statesmen anC
the heroism of our soldiers. l might
place my reliance on our standing
armies and dreadnaughts. And surely
these are all elements of strength
to be reckoned with.
"But, my friends, if the republic
IS to endure, it must rest on u strong
err foundation than the intelligence
and patriotism o. our citizens, thu
wisdom of our statesmen, the heroisn
of our soldiers, cur armies and dread
Inaughts. 1t must rest on the eterna
principles of truth and justice an.
4 righteousness, and downright honest,
in our relations with foreign nations
l. must rely in cur firm beiiet IN al
overriding Providence who creates
/ all things by His power, governs al
things by His wisdom, and who con
:. trolls the affairs of nations as wei
as of men.
'I have lived for many years, AM
a the older l grow, the more / am con
WINGED that a supreme power inter
venes in the affairs of mankind. Fo
if a sparrow does not fall to tn
ground without His consent, how cal
we hope that an empire will ris
without His consent.
"This is the spirit that has marke
the history of our nation from Wash
ington to Wilson. It is a gratifying
!, fact that all our presidents frol
first to last have never failed t