The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-28
| Am an American.
by EMORY J. HAYNES.


That certainly is grand idea to be able to say
Il American citizen and know thereby tina
you are defensible in any quarter of the globe Re
call the proud boast of ST. Paul. rs it lawful to sourg
Roman uncondemned?" And the Fastening, cring
ing response of the Judge. Art thou Roman? Will
great price obtained | this freedom" And the
apostles response: But l free born" That is
he was Roman freeman by birth, not by purchase Of
his citizenship.
OF all our relations with foreign nations none for
moment approaches in value the protection by the
flag, of our citizens in all parts of the world One
who has never been away from his native shores can
not adequately realize its meaning Plainly stated, II
is sober and sufficient that life and wei
fare shall be absolutely inviolable away from these
shores. This is beyond what government does
for the citizen while home The fact that citizen
is among strangers and in distress is treated one
high plane of the financial ability of the govern
ment.
For the governments own sake whatever acts it
performs must be with the highest efficiency. The
nation can never be mean small, stingy, undignhed
At expense without limit it is an everyday occur
for some consul to stranded sick, or
afflicted American If. later on, friends reim-
burse the government it is expected to be done. But
all that is an after consideration.
The mighty fatherland puts its strong arm around
its children everywhere The idea is of the noblest
of civic order. it ranks with freedom. Justice human
rights. anything in the Magma Charta-
This assurance is the thickcst strand in the cord
of patriotism namely that country will protect
us from peril as wide the world. In return for
such protection we pledge united lives the de-
tense of our country
Therefore when an indignity is offered United
Stlte sailO in
is insulted.
Saluting the flag is a mere poetic apology. 1t
is nothing less than an apology to every OF us,
these united millions who compose the Union. 1t is
necessary reassertion that we are respected in
rights as a nation and that this sacred doctrine of
shielding the citizen is fully confessed by the party
injuring any of US.
If any one country can fout us, then all do
so. If we instantly resent injury 10 a handful
of sailors give proper notice all the world that
we love and will defend own
There never was. and never can be- the slightest
exception. And every dgnifed nation in the family
of nations acts on the same high rule
There is no other way OF insulting a nation that
equals abuse OF of its subjects. Words.
oraorica or printed attacks a nation. are harm
less vaporizing And especially in these later years
of free speech But indgnitics to the individual
tangible affronts. They must be resented at
1t is right. by every law of national ethics that
extreme indignation stirs when we picture
sailors. men enlisted in navy, marched to a prison
along the streets of Mexico. 1t is literally mpos-
Sibe to offer a more bitter insult. Not the con-
iscation of an American-owned silver mine would be
anywhere base an afront the living citizen
IS of more value than many silver mines.
The flag protects property to be sure, but il must
DE g.
nation abuse single American unchalIenged then
falls to the ground.
The very worst thing has happened to us. Nor is
his hysteria 1t is the camcst. the sobcrcst OF
'ertions. The President this. All his previous
policy melts like under the hot sunbeams OF this
greatest of meanings OF flag that protects its own
Here today. then stand looking up at the flag.
Does it protect u.s. Many OF us have friends travel
ng in all parts OF the world. Are they safe. if they
abide the laws OF those distant lands: Is the old
doctrine yet vrile? Or these travelling friends
'ut of every home almost and missionaries, and COM
nercia traveers-are these the unsafe because
hey Americans: Can they better flee to the con-
ulate of holder nation? Had they best claim
hat they English? Has it come to that that it
: dangerous to be known as an American away from
hese shores?
The President has shown that he reads Alright the
meanings of patriotism. The grave anger of an en-
ire nation speaks, and he knows it. All the GEN.
uries of civilized utter OUR verdict. Mexico |
must answer, that all the nations hear it. in apology
or wrong to American sailors. Nothing less than
UGH unequivocal answer will save our flag over our
leads 1t must be true that it is enough for any of
Is to claim 81 American" TO be safe in his |
lights the whole world around.