Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-21

4
| that which the fathers of the nation
| endured when they laid the founda-
| tons of our free government. Theirs
was the duty of bringing the nation
| into being. of starting it upon its
course; and well did they perform
| their part. AS a result of their devotion
| to the principle for which this nation
stands, their children, and those who
day have enjoyed in prosperity and
plenty the priceless heritage Of ord
cred liberty under system of laws,
not being made by kings. but by them
selves. And SO we may well speak of
the founders of the nation as the Gre
ators of American liberty.
Our second great period of crisis
came eighty years later, and the work
which that period laid out for men to
90 was the preservation of those
into existence Through four long
years of struggle, of misery and blood
shed, they shaped their blood stained
course with devotion and show of
hero1Sm which will win the admiration
of generations vet unborn. Their work
was to preserve and keep burning
brightly the flame of liberty which for
more than three-quarters of a century
had attracted toward this western
continent the enraptured gaze of the
world.
The Third Crisis.
third crisis. In nearly all respects it
is far more serious and~more terrible
than either of the others. We have
been forced into the world war After
an exhibition Of patience under insult
and forbearance under injury such as
no great nation has ever before shown
in history, We have entered this ire
mendous struggle which for nearly
three years has devastated Europe.
and parts of Asia and Africa and
has claimed re X-iot
only from those regions where the
conflict RACES, but from every corner
of the earth. This is no war of our
choosing. This is no war into which
we have willingly gone. We could not
stay out of it longer and be worthy
to have a place in the family of ma
tons Not only has our dignity as a
nation been f1outed, and our rights
trampled under foot, but even the lives
of our peaceful people, not even ex-
cept1ng our women and our babies
have been sacrificed. The oceans of
the world, which from time inme-
mortal have been the highways of the
where all were free to come
and go and carry on their peaceful
in freedom from molestation,
have by the decree of the German gov
eminent been transformed into
German lake where none may sail save
by stealth and darkness. Our ships
and our people, sailing on these ocean
highways have been murdered without
warning, and far from apology or rep
aratiOn being offered we have been
told to keep off and to stay at home.
Primarily because of these things we
are engaged in the world war: but in
a. larger and deeper sense because the
attitude of Germany threatens the ex-
lstence OF the very principle upon
which this government rests the right
Of a people to the peaceful pursuit of
life and liberty under the protection
Of law. In the words of the president
we are in this war ito make the world
safe for democracy" That is the real
Of the war. 1t is a struggle
between two conceptions of govern
nent; between that conception of gov
eminent which finds the seat Of all
authority in the so-called divine right
Of kings, and that other conception
which has had its brightest represen-
-at1on for nearly a, century md a half
on this western continent and which
1nds the source of authority in the
free consent of the people themselves.
It is a struggle worthy of the nopIest
efcrt of this free people who know
he meaning and the worth of liberty;
md in carrying it to a successful issue
we shall accomplish not only the
preservation of freedom for ourselves,
put we shall have won it's blessings for
The peoples of the world.
Rev. u. Q. Bellerose rector of the
Sacred Heart church. at TaftvilIe fol-
owed Mayor Haggerty, giving an ad-
1ress in French. which was enthusiast
lcally received by the many French
speaking people in the gathering
Need For Recruits.
Sergt. Garrison of the First Regi-
nent, c. N G.. spoke of the recruiting
hat is being carried on throughout |
he country. He said there was need !
If men in the National Guard and ad-
Used the young men to volunteer be- |
ore the wheels of CONSUMPTION are |
set in motion. He said the |
song 81 Did Not Raise MY Boy to Be |,
Soldier is rapidly being replaced |
ny Il new song. America, Here is Ny |
Boy"
While the committee was awaiting
he arrival of Ex-President William H
Taft, Rev. FIR. Keeke spoke briefly re- |
,arding the patriotic spirit in Plain
ield. saying that one boy of fifteen in
IFS parish is already in the National !
Suard.
Ex-President Taft Arrives.
Ex-President Taft arrived almost on
chedule time and was afforded
earty welcome. Three cheers for the
ormer president of the U. S. were
-iven with a will. There was anoth-
T outburst as Rev. Keefe introduced |
Ir. Taft
There never was a time when there
7as need for patriotism as at the pres
mt, said Mr.. Taft. We don't feel the
var yet, he continued, but it is COM
ng; it is going to be a part of our
ives The war will effect the lives
f all of US We have undertaken the
7ar. The cause is a worthy one. We
idnt want to get into the war; we
yere anxious to avoid it. Mr.. Taft