The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-25
BUSINESS PATRIOTISM
IS OUR GREATEST NEED

/ manded imported goods and have fall'
ed to develop our own industries. Last
year we imported from the countries
now at war almost one billion dol
lars worth of merchandise. We have
added to their wealth and their power
instead OF our own. And why? Sim.
ply because our people have become
fascinated by the word Imported
Contrast in your mind for mo.
ment our attitude regarding the de-
veloping of home industries and tho
attitude of the German people. Lot
the people of America assume toward
America the German attitude toward
Germany and our trade will dominate
the world. And why?- Because our
resources far exceed those of any
country. Let us remember that wo
now have an opportunity for build
ing up the industries in this country.
not only supplying our wants. but
supplyig the wants OF the people OF
other countries.
Incidentally the people of our coun.
try should know that the people
across the line in Canada have caught
the new patriotism, and are demand
ing that so far as possible their mer.
chants and jobbers handle no goods
that are imported from the country
of an enemy. This will In all prob.
ability result in scores of industries
springing up in that country. These
people do not object to buying goods
produced and made in the United
States, and IL we will but seize our
opportunity we will surely reap q
great profit.
So Americans who take it upon
themselves to urge the people about
them to demand American products
should remember that they are do
ing their part in helping to establish
American supremacy in the world,
and that they have a right. to feel that
they are patriotic. Made in Amert'
ca" should be a trade mark that would
carry our merchandise into every
port in the world. But we should
realize that the making of such a
trade mark of value the world over
we must begin at home. Let every
American citizen, whether he be maur
woman or child, insist on American
products.
Another phase of this subject that
should be- understood by the people
OF this country is the obligation to
their own town. The American peo'
ple should learn that support OF the
local community by the people of the
respective communities throughout
this country is, in the truest sense, ma
tional patriotism. Our local commuu'
tiles as we have them, holding our
people in groups and centers, are the
safeguard of our nation.
The same spirit is working to cause
people 10 send to our large cities for
things that they can get at home ina
has in the past caused people to De
mand Imported" goods, And an IN
teresting thing about It Is the fact
that business mon in foreign coun'
tries understand this spirit OF the
American people. Just before wal
was declared between the European
nations one OF the great department
stores IN PaflB Nuomt hni -,
partment store, not manufactured be
gan flooding the eastern part OF oul
country with direct to the consumer
mail order catalogues. They knew
the mania that our people have fol
buying goods as far from home as
possible, and they were getting read,
to take advantage of this tendency
on the part of our people.
The man who really appreciates hi
home town and his local communit!
is not going to make business o.
buying the necessaries Of life that ht
uses elsewhere and thus helping Z
build up some other city and commun
fly besides his own. Il Il II.
10 NJ sssS a ~ =
1sS