The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-11-20
! ARMtsTlcE DAY

At high school exercises in Mankato
on Armistice Day, Rev. Robert Hughes
spoke as follows:
At the invitation of the American
Legion, it is my privilegeatO say few
words to you about the Importance of
the occasion we celebrate. Two years
ago the news of the signing of the
Armistice brought joy to the hearts
of the people Of this Nation. 1t was
the signal that the horrors and cruel
ties of war had ceased, and the people
of this peace loving nation accepted
with joy the glad tidings. @&
When the events of our times shall
have become history, posterity will
read with justifable pride the record
of the part America played in this
great war, which was fought at least
by Americans, for the God given gift
of human freedom.
Prolonged neutrality under repeated
insults and most aggravating outrages
proved the nations love of peace.
Triumphant victory proved Americas
ability to conquer mighty and merci-
less foe. Conspicuously these two
facts shall stand forth on history's
page proclaiming Americans brave,
peaceful and liberty loving people.
America went into the world war
and fought for the self determination
of small nations,-the sublimest poll
teal principle ever conceived by the
mind of man.
With pity we heard the groans of
devastated Belgium, we. sympathized
with bleeding France and encourag-
ed England fighting with her back to
the wall. 1t was only when this grand
principle Of freedom for universal
mankind rang out through the length
and breadth of the land that the
fighting spirit of America was stirred
to action. Then, and not till then, did
the Nation mobilize her forces, and
put forth her supremest effort. That
grand principle, the right of every Ma
ton great and small to live it's own
life, was the shibboleth which sweet
ened the sorrows and sacrifices of
War; Under all the trying circum-
stances of the cruel struggle it sustain
ed in our brave boys the spirit which
brought victory to their. arms.
The war is won. The victory is
ours, but what has been accomplish
ed? If the war was fought to make
the world safe for democracy, are the
brave boys, who donned the khaki and
CALAMITY fought, satisfied they have
reached their objective? How have
the victorious nations kept faith with
those who fought their battleso Suf-
fering ireland, groaning under a per-
secution seldom equalled, but never
surpassed in the most barbaric times,
asks England, what answer can she
give to the shades of those who fought
and died for the freedom of universal
mankind, because they, heard her
promise, and believed the principle
| worth the sacrificed Nor can this
Country l1onorably 1shirk its respon-
sibility for the fulfillment of that
promise She is a party to that con-
tract, and stands committed to it's full
| fillment, because she was the first to
proclaim the principle. If the world
| GRANTS AluCll d ldl SAdl III solO1y
of the victory, we to-day commemo-
| rate, it also holds her responsible for
| the benefits victory should bring.
Every American citizen, worthy Of
| the freedom which we by the grace of
God enjoy, hates oppression wherever
found, and by whomsoever practised.
Love of freedom, not the narrow self
| ish kind; but freedom in it's best and
broadcast sense is the very breath and
life Of true Americanism. It was this
| spirit which animated our heroic fore
| fathers to unsheath the sword and cut
in twain Impressions chains. In this
spirit did the founders Of the greatest
/ republic the world has ever known lay
the foundation of our grand and glor-
| ious nation. Let us show our ap-
probation of their bravery, their wis
dom and. generosity by maintaining
that same spirit as our richest inner
itance.
/ + = -e r,