Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
BISHOP URGES
PATRIOTISM
HEAD OF DAVENPORT DIOCESE
APPEALS FOR ARMY AND
RED CROSS.

class in ST. Anthony's church in Daven-
port. Rt. Rev. James Davis, bishop of
the Davenport diocese made an appeal
to the members of the class and to the
congregation to rally to the aid Of their
country in the army and the Red
Cross. The address was given In the
church Of which Rev. Father j. w. Bull.
ger, formerly Of the south side, Is now
pastor. Bishop Davis comes to Ottum'
wa May 20 to confirm classes in the
three Ottumwa parishes and his re-
marks at this time when the Red Cross
is being organized in Ottumwa for the
entire county, will be read with inter
est.
Makes Appeal To Patriotism.
In the course of his confirmation ad-
dress in which he bade the newly
confirmed to be soldiers Of Jesus
Christ, the Rt Rev. Bishop touched up
on the present national crisis.
Our country Is now entering upon
a very momentous period in It's history
a period full of grave responsibilities
and serious obligations. These Obliga.
lions are resting on every citizen OF
the land and are binding in conscience
In this crisis there is but one duty for
all Of us - to stand by the nag.
"'Breathes there the man with soul
so dead
Who never to himself has said,
This is my own. my native land!'
Should Stand BY Flag.
eve have every reason to stand by
the flag of our country, for this is our
own, our native. and to some Of us,
our adopted land. Whether native or
adopted. we love it and are proud Of
It. Here, under its saving folds, our
homes are free, our affairs are free
The right to worship God according to
the dictates OF our conscience is given
and safeguarded to us by the Stars and
Stripes. 1t Is perhaps the only nag IN
the world that Is not tainted with the
blood OF religious persecution. And SO
we love It; we stand for 1t; we stand
by it; we are ready to fight for 1t. and.
If need be, to die for It. The gates Of
Castle Garden swing outward, welcom-
ing to this great country the oppressed
Of every land. assuring them or equal
ity and OF golden opportunities that the
rest Of the world knows not.
Urges Lads To Enlist
'1 don't believe that it is necessary
for me to appeal to the young men Of
this parish to assist their country in
this war and to defend the flag Go
down to the army station tomorrow or
to the recruiting Office Of Battery B
and swear that you will fight for that
great flag. swear that you will die for
1t If the occasion calls, for you owe
your life to that flag.
Join The Red Cross.
let no Catholic forget God holds
our beloved nation in the hollow OF his
hand and that he is ready to listen to
our prayers for safety and peace. Let
me urge upon the women OF this par
ish as well as upon all our Catholics
to join the Red Cross that wonderful
working for the allevia-
ton OF the miseries and hardships con-
sequent upon war. Bid your sons go
to the front, give them courage. not
sympathy It is glorious privilege to
send your son in defense Of your home
your country. Be true, loyal women.
BE patriotic. frown on extremes In
dress, in amusements: conserve the
needs and do your share
with the boys in khaki to keep our nag
unsullied."