The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-10-26
A STRONG ADDRESS
ON LIBERTY LOAN AND FOOD CONSER.
VATION, BY REV. McGUIGAN AT ST.
JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH SUNDAY.


Day in the churches and in response
to the call that the Liberty Loan be
presented in all the churches of Car
roll county, Rev. McGuigan, pastor of
ot. Johns Catholic church delivered
The following address on the Liberty
Loan and Food Conservation:
The Church, even when a Caesar
wOuIu cnoKe 1t at birth, taught respect
for civil authority, because in his ia
vor the Divine founder had silenced
the cynical queStlOner OF mans civic
duty. In civilizations struggle for
the mastery OF barbarism, its most
potent asset was the church's stand
for rightful authority. The rise and
fall or governments have ever been
attended by the steadying hand Of
the church to re-establlsh society in
full possession OF its needed powers.
An immoyable figure in the rapidly
changing events of the day is Mer-
cier, the churchman, proclaiming to
the world the rights OF his sovereign
nation. 1t is then but a sequence in
the natural development OF history
that our government should look to
the church for cooperation and sane
leadership i'll the tremendous under
Facts, you have in myriads. The
gaping headlines of daily and week
ly press, the full page ads, the warn
ing finger from bill posters and shop
windows, inform you with persistent
urgency of the governments appeal
for your loyal support. A DemOc-
racy is calling now for volunteers not
for army and navy but for ungrudg-
ing service at home, for united,
practical participation of every citl-
zen in the conduct of the country's
affairs. If we fail in this crisis, shall
we not announce to the world that
we are not governing ourselves at all,
that democracy is but theory and
that a people called sovereign, lacks
the heart and soul of freedom?
It is my firm belief that we are
worthy of our exalted privilege. The
necessity of faring advertisement,
soul stirring appeal and whirl-wind
speech-making parties convince me,
however, that we have not realized
our personal responsibility.
There is associated with the word
Patriotism so much of flag raising
and blare of trumpets, so much of the
hero, conquest and victory, that the
simpler, hOmespun elements often
times escape notice. That christian
charity which teaches us love of
neighbor, consideration OF his place
with us in society, willingness to as
sist him in need, JOY at his prosperi-
ty. a tendency to join with him in
helpful works, generosity of disposi-
tion and self-sacrifice in common
cause, underlies the character of pa
triotism. The charity which reaches
out beyond the confines of home and
community and state and embraces
mankind from the north borderland
to the gulf and from ocean to ocean
is American patriotism. Its sincereSt
outward expression, is self devotion,
willing service for the common veal,
the dedication of our personal posses
sions to a general good.
The cheerful yet determined look
ing body of young men who left us a
few weeks ago aroused our admira-
ton and approval. Is our appreci-
alton so distorted that We value our
money more than the lives OF our
fellowmen? Then fraternal charity
and patriotism are dead. They are
buried in the ceSspool of t1agrant sell
fishness A man with the Vestige OF
a human nerve must experience some
thing of the sensation of the yellow
cur if he is boarding the resources
the country needs to bring our sol
diers home safely.
We are not asked to give of our
savings. If we even think with the
pride of Paul, the Roman, Il am an
American citizen" we shall under
stand that in purchasing a Liberty
Bond, we are lending to ourselves
with unqualified assurance OF full re-
turn with interest. Our patriotism
consists in choosing this form OF l1T
vestment rather than another or in
making the effort to save when we
are inclined to squander.
Besides the element of charity in
patriotism we may listen profttably
to the claims Of justice. Do we not now
feel keenly the pressure OF federal
appeal and demand, simply because
apart from election day, the national
government has entered with our
lives but remotely? The govern
ment agent is a stranger to US on ac-
count of the undisturbed freedom we
have enjo!ed in following our own
course OF action. We are in debt for
the happiness and the opportunity
that has been ours. In justice we
should make return with unquestion-
ing readiness, for the benedlctlon OF
liberty.
See your banker, or if you do not
lay claim upon one, seek an acqualn-
tance and choose the method best
adapted to your circumstances for
the purchase of a Liberty Bond. Don't
lag, don't wait for someone else tC
act. If you earn or have an income
you can buy a bond. Buy in the first
banking hour, tomorrow, and let eV-
erybody know that you have bought
The second subject which we have
been requested to consider is the one
of Food Conservation.
The principles according to which
we shall discover our duty in this
matter are identical with those in
cluded in our previous discussion. 1t
is our duty to accept the govern
ment's position and to comply with
it's injunctions. For a people &C
customed to penance, to willing pr1-
vation of lawful things for high
purpose, to self-restraint and self
mastery, the request for meatless
days and wheatless meals arouses nc
night mare of dreadful horrors. Oul
easiest course is to follow the specific
suggestions of the authorities anC
leave argument to the student of sta
tistics. We jump into the millions
and billions so suddenly nowadays
that our minds are whirl before we
have begun to grasp a subject. We
are told that one meatless meal in q