Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-29
LOYALTY, AMERICAS
REASON FOR THANKS
Bishop Russell Praises Pa
triotism at Annual Pan-Amer-
lean Mass at St. Patrick's.
CARDINAL GIBBONS SPEAKS

Before q distinguished gathering of
diplomats of South America and high
government officials at the annual Pan
American mass in st. Patrick's Church.
10th and G streets, this morning, Ri.
Rev. William T. Russell, Bishop of
Charleston, S. c., declared that if the
present war results in the binding to-
gether of the nations of the world to
safeguard peace in future this might
we'll be the inauguration Of an inter
national Thanksgiving day.
at cost the best blood of this coun-
try generation ago to cement the north
and the SOUTH" said Bishop Russell. of
the best blood of the present must be
shed in order that there may be one
nation safeguarding the peace Of the
world, then their blood will not have
been shed in vain, and this might we'll
be the inauguration of an international
Thanksgiving day"
The bishops sermon. in which he
their country in its present need, came
rs a climax to one of the most impress
sive Thanksgiving services ever held
by the Catholics of this city.
The presence of large group Of uni
formed men in a designated part Of the
church added a military touch to the
scene. which gave the mass a unique
aspect this year.
Cardinal Gibbons brought the mass to
. close by bestowing his blessing on
the assemblage.
Tells of Bond of Friendship.
After telling of the bond of friend
ship which has grown SO strong be-
tween the United States and South
America. in observance of which the
mass is celebrated, Bishop Russell
turned to the one question before this
country.
ton. In the exercise of authority which
has been vested in them by the Consti-
tuition. call upon the citizens to arm
Tor the defense of the nation. every
man Is bound to respond. Theirs not
70 reason why, theirs but to do or die
For II every citizen had the right to
decide this momentous question for
himself we should be reduced to a
state OK anarchy.
ut matters not who the head of the
nation may be-Catholics. Protestants,
Jewe. unbelfevers. or even in other re-
spect1 prosecutors of the church, for
the time being they are the agents Of
God In preserving the social order, and
they must be obeyed.
ON this our national feast Of
Thanksgiving we have cause to be
Rrateful to God for the spirit of LOYALTY
70 the best interests of our country
which Is manifest throughout the land.
1t is gratifying to see at this crisis
In our history that Catholics have rec
ogni1ed their duty. One third, at least.
OF the American Army and Navy is
made up Of Catholics. Yet we are only
one-aixth Of the whole population. why
10 1t that we have furnished twice as
many A. our proportion to the whole
population would demand? We cannot
attribute this great disproportion to
eny ehoice In the drafting. still less to
any Partially on the part of the gov
erufnent
Stood Physical Test.
'.rhe only explanation is that catbo.
tics IN greater proportion have stood
the physical tests. They were found in
greater proportion free from those dis
eases which destroy virility and make
men unnt to serve their country in
their country's need. They are first in
war because by clean lives they were
first in peace. They are not frst in the
hearts OF their countrymen, neither do
they ask or expect it, but 1t will re-
douno TO the honor and credit of our
country; X now in the conduct of this
Mer ana IN future enjoyment of peace
their fights to life and liberty In the
exercise of their religion shall be rec
ognized without stint and safegui rded
by their country"
Five minutes before the mass beoan
the clergy, richly robed, left the rectory
and marched into the church, headed
by the altar boys and the chancel choir
AZ tne END OF the procession walked
James NJ. OBrien of st. Peters Church
Very Rev. George A. Dougherty- vics
rector OF the Catholic UNIVERSITY and
rev. N: J. Riordan of the immaculate
Conception Church.
Inside the church the mixed choir
chanted Gounod's march, PRAISE We
the Father" with full orchestral ac"
compartment. A special musical pro-
gram was rendered throughout the
As the procession reached the sane
tuary the celebrant, Rev. James
Smyth, mounted the altar and hepan
the Solemn nigh mass. He was assisted
by Rev. F. J. Hurney of the Shrine NJ
the Sacred Heart. as deacon, and Rev
F. x. Cavanaugh of the Catholic I'M.
versity, subdeacon. Rev. Martin p
Egan OK st. Patrick's was master Of
Illuminated the Flowers.
Scores of candles illuminated the sor-
ers and ferns banked high on the ,,,,r
and blended richly with the sweentne
robes of the clergymen who filled r..
sanctuary. Cardinal Gibbons sat beneath
a red canopy at the left side of the altar.
Inc pillars OF the church were draped
In the hags OF the South American na
tons. intermingled with the Stars and
Stripes. to signify the bond of friendship
between the Americas
In the front pews of the center aisle
| surrounded by the flags of their 70.
spective countries, sat the diploma,s 90
South America. as follows: ~
Ambassador OF Brazil and Nine ia
Cana, Ambassador of Argentina and
Mrs. Naon. Ambassador of Chile and
Sonora de Zaldivar. the minister of costa
and Sonora de Calderon Minister 81