Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1917-06-01
rArnER coNRol oN cIvlo pUrY

Let every one De subject 10
higher powers. For there is no
power but from God, and those that
are ordained of God. Wherefore
be subject OF necessity not only for
wrath but for conscience sake. =
St. Paul, Rom.
The words of St. Paul to the
Romans and the Christians of the
early ages are the words OF the
Catholic Church to her children to-
day in our national crisis.
The words OF St. Paul tell of
duty to country and nation. The
country is the common family. 1t
rules over each particular member.
The individual requires for his life
and welfare, the protecting hand of
civil society; to civil society, there
fore, the Individual must be sub
iect; for its life integrity and honor
he must be ready to make sacrifice
of his personal veal even unto
death. This is the ordinance of
Cod, who wills that men live to-
gether as in one family, and hold
the general interest Of the family
superior to personal interest and in
dividual life.
The duly elected president of this
Republic is the ruler of the family,
its official spokesman and leader.
When he commands or acts, it is
the whole organism that speaks or
acts, and then he speaks with the
authority of God the Supreme
Ruler OF Nations. And so l say
to-day the words Of St. Paul, Let
every one be subject to higher pow
ers. For there is no power but God,
and those that are ordained of God.
Wherefore be subject of necessity
not only for wrath, but for con-
science SAX" st. Paul, Rom.
Our social family. our country is
the United States Of America !;
America speaking we listen to the
voice of God, we obey, we follow
with alacrity and for conscience
sake.
To-day the leader of the Ameri-
can nation speaks, we listen with
respect and follow wherever he
leads.
The President of these United
States believes that the honor OF
this nation has been challenged, he
has taken solemn action for its de-
fence. Even as things are we live
in a supreme moment in the history
of the United States. That the war
we now witness may soon end we
hope and pray. We want no blood
shed or sacrifice Of human lives,
we would repel the shades of s0ar
But the hour has come. The leader
of our nation has decided that it
has come. Now we are ready for
every sacrifice.
America is the land of free dis
cussion of individual liberty. We
may say what our social duties and
interests call for and require. But
now individual liberty, individual
discussion must cease, because
through its lawful representation
the nation has spoken and acted
Our self interest must be silent, and
naught else be in our minds and
hearts but the nation to be cher
ished and obeyed
| speak particularly to Catholics,
because we are in a Catholic
church, and because patriotism for
them is dictate OF our religion no,
for wrath but for conscience sake.
Because we are Catholics we must
be FIRST and foremost in the sacred
duty of patriotism, and first and
foremost they are from every State
of the Union telling the President
that we are with him to-day, we will
be with him tomorrow, we will be
Win MN 10 the emu.
Here and there in America in
dark and foul corners it has been
said that Catholics are not loyal to
America, that America cannot be
trusted to them. This lie has been
refuted again and again by the
quick and ready sacrifices of Cath
olics on the altar of America. To
day we defy the men who belle us
and challenge them to equal us in
sacrifice, to be as quick as we are
to rally to the call OF the President
of the United States, to be as will
ing as we are to pour out Our blood
that the Star-Spangled Banner will
never go down in defea%
Since the call for volunteers for
the defense OF the flag has been
rung out, though Catholics are but
one-hfth OF the population, over
half The number that has responded
profess the Catholic faith. : They
are the products OF our Catholic
schools throughout the land, where
love of God and love OF country are
the first principles instilled into the
child's mind.
Where now are the defamers OF
the church, the Guardians OF Lib
erty, Menace readers and mud
singers. Had they rallied to their
country's cali as our Catholic boys
there would be no need for con-
scription.
Well it is for America that there
are millions of Catholics among her
sons. Well will it be for America
if all who are Americans be as
loyal as those who repeat daily 81
believe in the Holy Catholic
Church"
America is composed of men and
women many of whom are by birth |
or recent descent are in sympathy |
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