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Show Rector of the Catholic University at West Point. BISHOP CONATY of the' Catholic university, was invited to address the young, Catholic cadets and officers of-ficers at West Point on June . His speech points out the duty of all loyal citizens, and the soldier's place in preserving the integrity of the nation. na-tion. Between him and the Catholic priest, who is a : soldier of the cross, he draws a parallel. He said: "At all times society has needed the strong right hand of its loyal and devoted de-voted citizens to protect itself from those .who rebel against its just laws, interfere with' its progress or attempt to destroy it. Religion, as the voice of God from whom comes all authority, has never failed to preach the lesson of duty to the state,' even wh.en that duty demands the sacrifice of one's life. The High Priest Simeon of old commanded his sons to go out and fight for their nation, promising that help from heaven would be with them. There is something of a similarity between the two vocations of the priest . and the soldier. Both are called to an absoluteness abso-luteness of duty; both give an undivided undi-vided life of service; both are devoted to an ideal; both are for God and for human kind. The priest is primarily for the spiritual, while upholding the civil. The soldier is primarily for the civil, while acknowledging the spir itual. The one is the right hand of God, and the other the right hand of the state. Both are for the highest Interests of society through, authority and order, both are pledged to obedience obe-dience and ready for the self-denial and privations which service demands. The life of the soldier, the success of the army, are based on the principles and philosophy of authority, which has its success in God. Unity comes through discipline and the aims and purposes form a unity through which the absolute abso-lute obedience by which alone success in spiritual or social order can be reached. " 'Theirs to do sytd die.' Theirs is not the question why.' "Wars, being necessary evils, if evil in any sense, demand the bone and sinew of a nation to preserve its rights and liberties.. Religion, though its mission mis-sion is peace, lehds its aid, sympathy and consolation. The rector of the university uni-versity thus depicts the scenes: "We all realize the dreadful terrors of war, and our humanity pleads for peace and brotherhood: but, unfortunately, unfor-tunately, rights must often be vindicated vindi-cated amid the clash of arms and the din of battle. The loss of human lives, the tears of widows and orphans, the devastation of homes, the ruin of industry" in-dustry" and the destruction of harvests terrorize the heart. The evil result cannot be overestimated nor too loudly deprecated. Yet time may give again new lives, the wheels of Industry may turn 'again and other harvests ripen into plenty; but, if liberty is lost, if nationality vanishes and tyranny oppresses, op-presses, the evil is still greater and the loss is well nigh Irreparable. The soldier is like a 6trong physician who In time steps in to prevent a last and final 'collapse. Our rights must be defended, our liberties preserved, our country tnd sanctuaries saved. If these be lost,' all is lost. Religion has always stood for peace, yet it has also blessed the standards of battle and has given its blessing to those whom justice jus-tice and principle have called to Avar against, tyranny and oppression. Religion has always honored the soldier sol-dier and prayed God to bless him-Moses him-Moses called on the God of armies to help' Israel with victories. David went against Goliath and ,the Philistines, and Judith against Holofernes under a diyine inspiration. : Machabeus, by God's will,' resisted the enemies of his people, and offered sacrifices for those who fell in battle. With." CRiist came peace and in Christianity war found a mollifying and restraining influence, which was destined to rid it of much of its barbarity and bring more of humanity hu-manity into its methods. The soldier was recognized as an agent of authority. author-ity. It was of the centurion of the pagan army that Christ said: "I have not found such faith in Israel." St. Augustine calls him a minister of the law and a defender of public safety." He points out how the soldier in obedience obe-dience to his commander's orders faces the enemy in battle is like the true Christian whose 'life is a continual warfare. That if the knight of battles is a good Christian, he will be a true soldier. i "Life in the revealed word Is called a warfare. To battle for Christ is the expressing of man's duty to live. Self-denial, Self-denial, privations, struggles mark the way to virtue and the soldier's character charac-ter finds its counterpart in obedience to the laws of God which is the nar- j row way which leads to eternal life. Despite ideals, evils come in the sol- j dier's life and abuses result from the passions and ambitions of individuals and of states. Let us hold to the ideals and God's blessings .will descend upon ua and good will prevail The good soldier sol-dier should be found in the good Christian obedience to God, which is the sure way to obedience to civil authority. au-thority. Be brave and loyal officers, but first of all and always be brave and virtuous men. Love, honor and duty, manliness and truth, integrity of life and hone:Vy of character. Do not dare to do wrong, but always dare to do right. Love your God and your church, and you cannot fail to love your country and your vocation. He directs attention to West Point, which sent forth as brave soldiers as ever fought for their country. It should have an inspiring influence on all military students. "The traditions which entwine themselves them-selves around this academy are noble and inspiring. They tell of good, great and brave men whose names are written writ-ten honorablycm the roll of the world's heroes. They were Christians, gentlemen, gentle-men, scholars and patriots; leade'f; of men, captains of great armies; men with humanity in their hearts, full of forgiveness toward the foe, full of sympathy for erring brethren, fearless in battle and loyal to country, yet always, al-ways, anxious for peace and brotherhood. brother-hood. Young men, you are called to follow them. There are places on history's his-tory's scroll for you and great deeds await your doing. Grant. Sherman and Sheridan, yet live in spirit to do through you as great honor to our country at our country's call. You are called to service and the devotion of your young lives is demanded. This land of freedom,', the noblest of all republics, re-publics, the blessed among nations, the guardian of human liberty, our own beloved country looks to you for protection pro-tection in the hour of dangre. Her lands are fertile, her people and her laws are one, her industries move the world, her riches bring comfort and happiness to her citizens; but her greatest political gift is that of citizenship citi-zenship in a republic where the people rule and where man's rights of conscience con-science are safeguarded by law. Y'ou are the defenders of law and order against anarchy and disorder." His conclusion was directed to the Catholic youth whom he was specially addressing. He gave them encouragement encourage-ment and invoked on them and the republic God's blessing. "Your mission," he said, "is a noble one. God grant that you may always be true to it. Your Catholic hearts are full of love for your country, which safeguards your sanctuaries and guarantees guar-antees your citizenship. Your church blesses your lives sworn to obedience to your country's call, and' bids you realize that you should be model officers, offi-cers, faithful and loyal Catholics. May God bless this academy and its instructors. in-structors. May they continue to send out into the military life of this country coun-try men of high purpose, who value honor and duty, who love God and their fellow. men, noble types of American Amer-ican manhood, true to the Instincts of liberty, and devoted to Christian ideals. May God bless our 'epublic and its defenders!" |