The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-09-02


differs In several essentials
from citizenship In other countries,
and some peculiar duties arise from
the difference which require special at
| tentlon now when our institutions are
receiving n general re-examlnation and
are subjected to special strain through
the attempt at expansion.
An American, having a great coun-
try, has wide relations In his patriot.
ism. He loves something great, which
Is important In the character OF
people. When a man must fix his af-
fections on the small It tends to be-
little him. One is measured by what
one loves. With our vast and opulent
domain, we need never be ashamed of
the object of our affection, but can be
enthusiastic for our country without
seeming ridiculous; which n Belgian
or Portuguese can hardly be.
The first characteristic Of American
citizenship Is confident pride of coun.
try that goes parallel with love of
country, a pride that is well founded
and honest; so that an American feels
n satisfactory self-respect as an Amer
lean. and seldom gets anything but re-
| spect from others. He cannot be easily
ridiculed, and he need not be sensitive
about foreign opinions. A seoffer who
| would laugh at the United States is
like the simpleton who would ridicule
the sun. Owing to our size, we are
not often challenged to fight for our
country, even In words, for most an
| tagonlsts seem unworthy of us. Only
| three or four nations are ever COM
pared with ours, and we need not fear
the comparison then. The American
can accordingly indulge generous
high-mindednes toward the world
without the usual temptations to jeal-
ousy which characterize small peoples.
A second feature of American citizen
ship springs from the fact that we
are n growing country. Great as we
are, we expect to be greater. Our eyes
are turned to the future and our pride
Is founded on hope. 1t matters much
whether one is on the rising or de-
clining side in his feelings, whether
his enthusiasm Is swelling or re-
ceding tide. Americans are in the line
of the worlds movements, going In the
direction In which things are enlarg-
Ing. Our country Is to take part in
nearly all events that are to come,
and to act with the whole world as an
arena. We have career before us
rather than behind us, and enter on
battlefelds yet to be won. We are in
the line of permanent movements, too,
and not of mere episodes. Our acts
must have an influence that Is to grow
with the enlargement of the country
and of the worlds civilizations; so that
In making history, we are not building
a fabric that is soon to fall, but one
that will grow for centuries.
! A third feature of American citi-
zenship results from the fact that our
country represents liberty and equal
ity, SO that in being proud Of our coun-
try we are proud of something good.
In taking up the cause of the United
States one takes up the cause of right.
Most countries represent tyranny or
some form Of inequality, SO that their
citizens. to be patriotic. must be un-
Just. In Europe they are committed
|
the Hapsburgs, and stand for the ag-
grandizement Of privileged classes.
We stand for the equal rights of all
the people; and nothing can be better.
Americanism Is sum of virtues,
standing for principle. Our flag has
a meaning Of which we approve. 1t is
demorallzing when ones national senti-
ments are in conflict with ones private
convictions. The liberals of most for
eign countries are disaffected toward
their national institutions, so that many
of their best citizens live not In the
spirit of their country, but In hope Of
revolution. In America, on the other
hand. loyalty Is virtue; the good are
committed to our institutions; and to
be more of an American Is to be n
better man.
Another circumstance affecting Amer
lean citizenship is the fact that our
country represents progress. The tra-
ditions Of our fathers have little weight
when pitted against our common sense.
The worlds best ideas have chance
to be put into practice. Thought and
activity are alike free. Old machin-
cry, old opinions, old institutions are
constantly passing away, and we are
In country of revision. Americans
are accordingly Independent and ag-
gressive. Instead of being led peo-
pie, chained to precedent, they search
for the unknown, rather than try to
recall the forgotten.
The first duty of American citizen
ship Is liberal patriotism. Nor is this
feeling Of magnanimity for land and
numbers alone. American patriotism
must be love not of race but Of many
kinds of people-of English, Germans,
Italians, Irish, Scandinavians, Afri-
cans. Chinese, Indians and Tagals. 1t
must be cosmopolitan. American pa
trfotism comes near being humani-
tarlanism.
A more immediate duty of American
citizenship, and one appealing directly
to the individual, is to apply our prin-
ciple of equality to our business and