The sun., 1919-02-17
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CATHEDRAL DEAN !
APPROVES LEAGUE
Or. Robbins Of st. Johns Ad-
dresses Sons Of Rev
olution.
AS WASHINGTON STOOD
prelatc Gives Credit Equally
to American Born and
Newcomers.
AS WASHINGTON STOOD

A. the twenty-ninth annual service OF
IN. Sons OF the Revolution commemora-
uv, OF the birth Of George Washington,
hold in st. Bartholomew Church yes
terday, tho Very Rev. Howard Chandler
Robbins dean OF the. Cathedral OF st.
John the Divine, expressed the convlc-
ton that II washington were alive to-
day he would favor Americas entry into
the League Of Nations.
Or. Robbins prefaced his sermon with
. reference to the participation by Sons
OF the Revolution In the great war.
We should not be proud of our So
cisty," he said, IF IL were q society OF
sntiauarians living only in the past. But
SIS members OF our New York branch
are serving with the coiors. There are
those who have given their lives. And
there are others, like that great patriot.
theodore Roosevelt, who have given their
sons, flesh and blood dearer to them than
their own. The old stock Is still there.
SACRIFICES OF the New stock.
THE new stock can be seen too. How
often do their names figure In the cas-
uaity sts-unprunounceable almost. but
no longer alien. The war has welded us
into one nation as never before. WASH
ington planned for this unity"
Then DR.. Robbins turned his attention
10 the League OF Nations basing his
Washington
within tho last snres days." he said,
''vc have been reading OF a step that it
would not be too much to say IL a turn
ing point in the history Of the world. 1t
commits us to q new departure in the
procedure of our Government What
would Washington have to say OF It, "a
indicated in his Farewell Address?
I'VE turn 10 dt TO ascertain what. under
~ew conditions. living Washington
would say of II. This involves risk OF
going TO It with precon0eived ideas.
Political critics often use the Farewell
ADDRESS in that way, tearing from 1t
..ngo phrases to hurl them at their op-
ionents. We must remember that the
greatest warning In 1t Is against too
great spirit OF party.
zone OF Washington's great objects
IN the address was to explain and justify
his foreign policy, particularly his re-
tusal 10 let this country engage in an
other war with England. He saw that
another war with England would involve
untold disaster for this country. He
saw our interests would be furthered by
resuming as soon as possible good rela-
tons with the mother country.
In Line with Washington.
In that respect the advice OF Wash
ington holds good to-day. No two coun-
tries have greater common interests
than. have the two peoples OF English
speaking blood. English liberalism ha,
never been hostile to this country. WASH
fnston Is hailed to-day not only as the
father of this country. but OF the English
commonwealths. A good understanding
between Great Britain and the United
states is not only desirable, Il is essential
20 League of Nations.
What about entaneiing foreign al
liances? This Is the organization of ma
tons on a new system to do away with
entangling alliances ana the old and dis
credited system OF the balance OF power.
Washington's supreme purpose was to
free the United States from the danger
and compulslon Of the balance OF power.
lie dreaded lest this country should be-
come a mere satellite OF n European
system.
"The United States Is no longer in any
danger OF becoming satellite OF any
European group. 1t Is strong enough to
take its place as the leader in this
league to abolish the old system OF
checks and counter checks. I do not
see that there is one word In the Farewell
Address to dissuado us from this great
and noble enterprise.
Would 1t be just to betray the great
st hopes now stirring in the hearts OF
men by Withholding American support?
Hero Is no question of cost. A great
nation is asked to pledge its material
resources and its moral strength to a
plan that is designed to end war"
BtshoP Greer Conducts Services.
The members of the society occupied
Eighty pews in tho centre OF the church,
marching in behind their historic stan
dsrds. Men and women representing
oozen of the most prominent historical
organizations filed the church. The ser
vice VAS conducted under the direction
Of the Rt. Rev. David II. Greet. Bishop
q the Diocess OF New York and chap
lain Of the society. Assisting him were
The following clergymen:
The Rev. leighton Parks. u. D., rector
~ St Bartholomew's Church the Rev.
Arson Phelps Atterbury, the Rev. Edwin
Walter Colloque. the Rev. Frank War
field Crowder, the Rev. Howard Dufiield.
the Rev. Percy Gordon. the Rev. Archt-
haid Romaine Mansfield. the Rev. I'd