New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-26
THE FLAG A SUBSTITUTE?
MEANING OF THE LAVISH SHOW OF THE
NATIONAL COLORS QUESTIONED.
A READER OF THE TRIBUNE ASKS IF SHOUTING
FOR OLD GLORY AND DISPLAYING 1T rs
LOVE OF COUNTRY OR NOT.


FOR OLD GLORY AND DISPLAYING 1T IS
LOVE OF COUNTRY OR NOT
The publication Of Male Cynics" letter In
recent issue OF The Tribune has not only devel-
oped the fact that he Is not alone in his opinions,
but has shown that 60 further in
their aversion 10 lavish displays OF the National
colors. Among the letters Of protest
one from John c. Havemeyer. who recorded his
objections to flags schools In Sundays edition.
and who now proceeds to question the motives Of
flag worship Mr. Havemeyer has written tho
following letter to The Tribune:
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIT: Now that the flag is being displayed so gen,
orally by rich and poor, young and old. men and
women, learned and unlearned. virtuous and
that thinking peopl, should wonder why it Is
done The nnversality awakens inquiry and even
men to Substitution. and are PROMPTED to inqure
II the flag may not be used as substitute Tor
difficult. Substitution is common.
There is a demand for substitutes In time of war.
There is consta Mt search for substitutes In food
fabrics. mechanics and the arts. There is an at
tempt even 70 employ substitutes for wha' he
that the flag. instead Of being universal eX-
for H. We O. should accept this Suggestion with great
caution But the importance OF me question ON voin
pels consideration We can answer II only by
thorough analysis in these times would be un-
The time for such analysis was before the war be-
gan There was philosophy in the captains sug-
Knees that the time to pray was in calm weather
But think may rightly assert that there is ono
element which "a Indispensable TO true patriotism
and that is interest In and desire to promote
the welfare OF our fellow -countryinen II wan
to determine the merits OF the constitution OF a
country, the wisdom OF law which has beeh
enacted Is contemplated ask. What will he its
The dictionary defines patriotism as love Of
H %hch da snn not "Gh sny the
people who live in II. Therefore II appears 10 me
that man who Is pa'T RI h WIN nrn and Women
and children around him DO the people VINO wv
and war nss' mean oy ,' hnse with nag
upon II. a man or woman who wear a i nag
includes n genuine philanthropy? Suppose now
that n man shouts himself hcars" when me nag
Is alluded TO- or It's glories set forth and yet IS
employing women to whom he pays starvation
wages while the profits ~ his business are largc'
men: or that his daily fc Is one % seIhahm"ss' arg
that he takes no interest IN INC Strus ,s
he Is making drunkar,ls or encouraging and DC
velopng taste FOR gambling. Is such a nan ~, IN
nag substitute? And are there not thousands OF
unreasoning superficial and selfish mon ana women
oniv for themselves and whose exhibition OF IN"
nag IS simply sham and without sisii'i'dn'' -
TO LET th.re b. a new and higher movement. Ie'
tho Daughters ~ the Revolution, inS',aI ~ ar1
terch that real patriotism includes tho effort 20
bring comfort and peace 70 GLOW MI ~,
low men tho rescue - tho aiming ana d'ETnor'
,1 Lfii,, manifestations 10 the widow and orphan;
ali ~ vvnich win prevent crime and promote good
citz .nship Lot them strive 10 sccur" ih' pas'lH
81 i,u,e ,h,t deserve obedience ard respect because
~ arc .oultabie and antagonizc and expose
brS nn-e costl~ standard 81 patriotism Let ~
u',hr Goc.ive onreelvcs nor be deceived by tn
uso or flags or anything el-c as SUBSTITUTE, ~
our own patriotism bc genuine and practical. am
donna nd from others true No as ~! h''S'"''''
and foundation element. Yours truly.
New-foTk' May - JOHN G. HAvEMEYER