The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1917-06-06
CATHOLICS DECLARE
FtALTy TO NATION
Thousands Join in Great Patri.
otto Observation-Disclosures.
bic Men In Service.

Thousands OF Catholics IRON
Washington and vicinity and from
points as far away as Baltimore
gathered around the Columbus me-
mortal statue on the Union station
plaza to give public expression to
their patriotism. There were pat
riotic addresses hymns and patriotic
songs by the assemblage.
Men high up in official life at
tended the services.
Bishop Charles Warren Currier,
bishop Of Cuba, delivered the patri-
otto sermon.
Patriotism Matter of Deeds.
Patriotism is not a matter of
words, but of deeds, Bishop Currier
said. The man who tries to derive
unlawful benefits from the country
misfCrtunes, no matter how much
patriotism is on his tongue or how
he waves the flag. is as much NAL
efactor as he who openly tramples
her laws under foot.
Patriotism is wonderful thing.
However, let us try to understand
its nature better" he said. 1T does
not consist in false pretenses and
hypocritical protestations. Although
based upon a genuine love OF self, it
abhors selfishness and fails not to
put the public before the private
good. To derive unlawful benefits
from the country's misfortunes, to
enrich oneself at her expense, to
pervert her public Offices for the
sake of private interests, to seek to
destroy her liberty-all these things
sound the death knell of patriotism.
1T is indeed a satisfaction to be-
hold how much self-sacritice the
present world war has evoked here
and abroad. The sacrifice of COM
fort, of fortune and of life that We
must applaud in our day amply
counterbalances the breezy selfish
ness We may discover in some quar-
tiers. If there is anything calculat-
ed to draw down Gods blessing
upon our country it is our charity to
the poor sufferers across the sea
victims of this terrible world war"
Those who believe that the cOun-
try has not the same patriotism az
in the early days when I'VE were a
homogeneous race" he said, have but
to look at the flags flying every
where, with the expressions OF 10y
atty, men pouring their treasurers
into the lap of the nation, and,
what is more marvellous, the peo-
pie have, without complaint, impos-
ed upon themselves the greatest sac
rifice that can be demanded of them
the law of CONSUMPTION"
People Owe Much to Country.
The people owe to the country adj
vantages too numerous to mention.
the bishop continued.
Look at Washington" he said.
1T belongs to us. Its public build
ings are our buildings. with doors
wide open; its libraries, its facilities
are ours. could not begin to
cnumerate the advantages that We
derive from the United States.
Should not these command our graf
ttude, excite our love, and arouse
our patriotism?
Catholics have always shown
their patriotism and their devotion
to country, ready to head off any
invasion. whether it was represent
ed by an invincible armada or by the
hosts of the crescent. True to the
principles that have always actuated
them from the days of the Theban
legion down, they honor their coun-
try's flag, they follow it into the
jaws of death. with cannon to right
Of them. cannon to left of them,
cannon in front of them, for they
know how to die.
IF the entrance of the United
States into this conflict will in any
way contribute to hasten the day Of
peace, and, above all, minimize the
danger OF war in the future, the
treasure spent will not have been In
vain and the blood of our American
manhood shall not have been vast
ed.
lie. US humble ourselves before
an offended Deity and bow beneath
the hand that smites us. II we ever
needed days of public humiliation
and prayer We need them now. We
must make use of every possible
means of protection. organization,
finance, weapons. But if the God
of armies is against US our efforts
are in vain. Unless the Lord build
the house, they labor in vain that
build it, Let us remember God