The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-09-22

We all know that when we hear the
inspiring strains of the Star-Spangled
Banner our hearts swell with love
and pride, our minds quicken, our
nerves tingle with exhilaration, our
enthusiasm is unrestrained, and we
are possessed of patriotism that
knows no fear of suffering or death.
1t is the call of patriotism; 1t is the
voice OF our heroes whose great
deeds in peace and in war challenge
our emulation and sustain us in the
face of adversely and death; 1t is
the creed of our nation that holds to
our duty. 1t has nervcd the timid
youth to wrench the fallen flag from
the grasp of the dying veteran and
lead fleeing army back to the
charge over the fields covered with
dead and dying, through the smoke
of battle, in hail of shot and shell,
without fear or pause, until defeat
was turned into victory and over the
field proudly waved the emblem of
the free and the brave.
whilst the national anthem sus-
tains us in battle, it is not alone a
battle song or symbol of war. When
used in war, it is but the expression
of che determination OF our people
to maintain our government and to
protect our citizens and our national
honor. We are not a warlike peo-
pie. We fear and oppose miliitarism
The destruction and suffering and
death incident to war do not appeal
With any pleasure to our magma
ton. but. on the contrary. cause us
the deepest grief. We believe that
war is relic Of barbarism and only
occurs through the ignorance. sell
tishness, or the inhumanity of man.
We believe that disputes between
nations can and should be settled as
are disputes between individuals
The trial by battle is a crude. cruel,
and expensive method for the ad-
iustment of national rights, and, un-
fortunately, is not always decided in
favor of the just cause. Until such
time as the civilized nations OF the
world are ready to cooperate with
us uneQuivocally in the peaceable
settlement OF disputes and protec-
tion OF national rights, we must be
prepared with force of arms to pro
tect our rights and our national
honor.
I'm these times OF our nations
peace the Star-Spangled Banner
strikes just as responsive a chord 1t
does not now express any warlike at
titude; II expresses our confidence
and our pride in our nation Now
its strains are the voice OF our peO-
pie in happy acclaim that we are at
peace with the world. Yes, fellow
countrymen, we are even more
proud Of our country for it's accom-
plishments in peace than in war. But
a few months ago our sister country
to the south was involved i'm internal
war, and most complex and delicate
situation arose, which gravely
to involve this country in
a long and bloody war. The states
and humanity OF our coun-
try won great victory. Peace was
established i'm Mexico American
citizens were protected; good feel
ing toward the United States was
created throughout South America:
the confidence of the world in our
good intentions toward all mankind
established; and a war that would
have stopped the wheels Of progress.
burned our people. and taken toll of
life from many a now happy family
was with honor averted. And now
the Star-Spangled Banner is the en-
bodiment of our peoples just pride
in this last great act of a great ma
ton
"Our mission of peace and civiliza-
tion is not at an end. No; the great
power OF the nation throughout the
world for peace and prsperity has
just commenced to be realized and
appreciated. All the great powers
of Europe are rent with a devastat-
ing and death-dealing war. 1t is i'm
possible for me to picture those hor-
rors. Even the meager accounts in
the press and the indirect effect on
our people most vividIy portrays to
our imagination the indesCribable
suffering. Yet, in the midst Of all
this chaos, devastation, and murder.
the American flag has protected the
American citizen Yes; IL has not
only protected the American citizen
but il has protected the noncombat-
ant citizens and subjects of even the
belligerent nations. All % the bel
ligcrents have naturally turned to
the United States as the great peace
power of the world to protect their
citizens in the countries with which
they are at war. and over every for
oign embassy Of the country Of its
foe waves the protecting folds OF the
Spaugled Banner. In London
where the mObilizing army was be-
ing reviewed, after the English band
had played God Save the King: il
struck up the Star-Spangled Banner.
amid the mighty applause OF a
friendly people. Nor were the Ger
mans less appreciative, for the mad
enthusiasm aroused by Die Wacht
am Rhein had hardly waned when
there was waited through the streets
Of Berlin the inspiring strains of the
Star-Spangled Banner. In Paris the
Marseillaise and the Star-Spangled
Banner were heard everywhere. and
our national anthem seemad IN raach