Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-14

We nave naU an appalling uSIuOuStAa-
ton that the artificial creeds and dog
mas of the established churches Of Eu-
rope have been absolutely powerless to
prevent or arrest the treachery and
murder in which the war was begun
and the atrocious cruelties, bloodshed
and slaughter which have characterized
the prosecution Of it. Unitarians have
seen that in this great struggle the
church in Europe as a whole Is divided,
each National church supporting the
war-making power in its own country;
and they are convinced that the horrors
OF wan which has brought untold mis-
cry and ruin to peoples and nations
might have been prevented by an ap-
plication Of the simple principles Of
truth and justice, charity and human
ity. involving a decent and unselfish
regard for the rights of others; for
these simple principles of pure Chris
tianity are not only essential to the
highest welfare and happiness of the
individuals but indispensable to the
maintenance of peace and the preserva-
ton of civil liberty among the nations
81 the earth. But with a contemptuous
disregard Of all suggestions of prac-
tical Christianity, the CHASTITY struggle
has been continued under the influence
or inordinate greed and absolute mania
for dominion and power.
The powerful military dynasty which
precipitated this war has for a gener-
alton been cherishing the dream of a
worldwide German empire, surprising
In grandeur and glory all Others en-
pires in history. They have no proper
conception OF the equal rights and civil
liberty enjoyed by the citizens of this
Republic. They have no understanding
OF. or respect for, our democratic ideals
And they have become so obsessed by
the belief in their own supremacy
among all the nations of the earth that
their moral sense has become absolute
lE perverted respecting their solemn
oDlPatlons to observe the rights and
privileges Of other countries and other
peoples.
American citizens repudiate the mon
strous doctrine of the divine right Of
hlnss. and deny that any European
despotlsm has so monopolized the Vir-
tues or humanity that it has acquired
the right to dominate all the other ma
tons OF the earth, and they deem 1t a
solemn obligation which they owe to
their own country and to mankind to
engage In defensive war for the pro-
lection of their own lives and liberties,
ard the preservation Of government by
the people throughout the world.
But i'll the progressive DEVELOPMENT
OF civilization. Mr.. Judd's dream. of a
millennial day may be realized. 1t is
favorite theory Of scientists and pol
itieal philosophers, that the progress Of
society. analogous to that of nature
and life, Is not steady and uninter-
rupted. but rythmical. recurrent and
oscillatory. A nations progress wheth-
err towards improvement or decline Is
not constant but f1uctuating. Though
apparently retrograding in one decade.
the world may be found in the course
OF century to have made enlightened
and permanent progress towards the
realization of higher ideals Of life and
more exalted conceptions of civic right
eousness and duty.
The battle for freedom Is not lost,
and all the peoples Of the earth have
not become barbarians because one mil
itary despotism in Europe committed
the crime of the century by precipitat-
ing upon the world an unholy war
In 1861 the patriotism of our country
by the people and liberty under law on
this. continent, and in 1917 with Gods
help the patriotism of our country will
save and preserve government by the
people and liberty under law for our
selves and all mankind. And it creates
a feeling Of pride as we'll as confidence
to remember that in every contest to
maintain our charter of human rights,
ln <r1c WI ~, - =
heir of all the ages. has ever been full
high advanced" and eventually tri-
umphant.
We have no need to go back to the
nations Of antiquity for our stories Of
patriotism. Here in our own country,
on our own soil, out of the exploits and
sLfferings and sacrifices of our own
countrymen, have been as noble ex-
amples of patriotic virtue and heroic
self-sacrifice as the world affords. Here,
too the minstrel raptures'' have
swelled at the sight of their country's
flag and the sound of it's martial
music.
Gods In his Heaven,
Ais right in the world"
We shall see him in the watch-f1res.
OF hundred circling camps.
And read his righteous sentence
BY the dim and fiaring lamps.
''His day is marching on"
Another address of much interest
was that of Rev. Samuel B. hobbs of
Boston, field secretary for New Eng
land of the American Unitarian Asso-
citation, who spoke on the subject:
THE Moral Responsibilities of the
Christian People of the United States
in Time of War"
The last speaker of the evening was
DIR. Sylvester j. Beach, who gave an
interesting but brief talk upon the Red
Cross.
The conference will be continued to-
day with thre sessions, the first at Q
A. NJ, the second at p. M. at which
latter session will be held the annual
meeting of the Maine Unitarian AS
ISOLATION, and the closing session at
7.30 this evening. This concluding ses-
sion will open with an organ recital !
by DR.. Latham True, organist of the
First Parish church at Portland.