South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-07
EXALT VIRTUES,
ELIMINATE VICE

"Our virtues must not blind Us to
the existence of our vices" stated
Rev. ]. n. Greene in his sermon on
THE Virtues and Vices OF South
Bend" at the Civic Sunday services
at the First Methodist Episcopal
church Sunday morning. He SAID,
I'VE have vices of which we are
not proud. Cities are like men IN
that they have little chance 10 I'M
prove unless they recognize their
weaknesses. There is a legitimate
sense in which we may speak OF
city's faults 1t is not in the sense
of a knocker,' but Of constructive
criticism"
In speaking Of the Civic Sundays
services he said:
In issuing his proclamation set
ting this day apart as Civic sun
day our mayor has appealed TO the
churches OF the city to assist IN
creating a better civic spirit. The
appeal is a merited recognition on
the part the churches play IN move
ments looking to the betterment of
the community. In such a move
ment as is now on, the churches VIII
do their part in helping 10 make a
larger and better South Bend.
I'm view OF the great opportunity
facing South Bend we are asked 10
take invoice Of our civic stock ana
become boosters Of the city as never
before. This is therefore, the time
to ask what virtues we have that
may be exalted and also what vices
we have that ought TO be elimin-
ated. If we are TO be real boosters
we must have something worth
boosting. And ones ardor is very
likely TO become dampened by the
existence of defects so glaring as 10
be embarrassing.
Many Virtues.
south Bend has many virtues TO
be proud OF. Nestled on the banks
Of the Hoosier Hudson, the charm
ing st. Joe, she is like Mount Zion
beautiful for situation. Ours Is
CITY Of splendid churches. housing
the various denominations in as fine
ecclesiastical working plants as can
ne found i'm any small city. We have
good schools well equipped and ef-
6cientlv manned. We have manu-
featuring interests OF such fame as
10 give south Bend a good name the
world round. We have a city of
s,1en5id homes abounding in com
fort and convenience. We have a
( high grade class Of people. and these
I are the deciding factors in any
citv's merits. There is here a spirit
OF hospitality, Of generosity and OF
I culture.
south Bend has her defects
I some OF the roads leading into the
I city are fearfully and wonderfully
made. our railway stations belong
10 another age and are a standing
argument for a modern union sta
I ton Some Of our citizens need &c
/ be exhorted not 20 transgress 50
many of our aesthetic laws. Lawns
neglected. old wagons and carts
piled up in public places. boxes and
I barrels in front yards, ash heaps 1T
public view. dumping grounds or
prominent thoroughfares detrac'
/ painfuIlv from the merits OF our
city.
Immoral Conditions.
/ Immoral GOuuAAAOES III tNaAAAAe a.
our city bring shame 10 our respect
/ able citizens. South Bend is better
/ in reputation over the state than she
/ is in reality at home. Such violation
/ Of law as we witness here would be
expected in Terre Hagte, but ~
\ South Bend il is inexcusa bic. II
may be a little difficult 20 determine
I just where the blame for this con
+ dition lies, but il Is evident thai
while the city administration and
T the prosecutors Office are conduct
ing their political sparring match
the city is suffering unduly from
their folly There is no reason VIII,
1 a serious and determined effort e
enforce the law can not meet with
success. The city police are not L
I blame They will naturally do wha'
they think powers higher up eNpec
them 10 do.
In stimulating a civic spirit w
ought 10 exalt an ideal OF city life
\ which has as large a place for the