The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-12
PlFFLE AND PATRIOTISM.

last SUNDAY sun q Los hnReies
correspondent boldly Haunted a bill
Of particulars Of Americas wealth
and followed II with a few ardent
words about our heroes and the flag.
Such impertinence should be re-
buked, repressed.
Are we to ignore the lofty senti-
ments of the American order OF Hush.
Scuttle and Run? Or of the ladies of
the Women's Strict Neutrality League.
or Of the numerous other %organiza-
lions and individuals Of the ultra
violent peace and piffie school? Hear
their appeal:
Don't wave the flag. or salute or
cheer II.
Be silent on u independence and
those who achieved IL.
Cease praising Washington. Lin
coin, Grant and other "militarlsts."
Stop referring to American honor
and It's defence.
Don't forget the new national hymn
"Never, Never BE a Soldier"
Under no circumstances mention
the Lusltania massacre.
Have a care, speak softly, and above
all, hush!
We must not offend our powerful
b%elligerent friends, for they are armed
and aggravated-especially Germany.
And we must say nothing that sug-
gests or encourages national spirit
and patriotism, for these sentiments
are evil, u%nneutral INT may possibly
lead In the end to war.
Patriotism has long been defined as
love of country. the noblest sentiment
that can animate the citizen. But
this IL wrong. 1t has recently been
discovered by certain Americans that
patriotism Ii selfish. vicious.
Some Americans have heretofore
regarded IL as an honor and a duty
to suffer and die, II necessary. for
, their country. This is nonsense. Al.
| Americans first duty IL to himself,
the individual, and next TO the big
broad world. the Brotherhood of Man.
Be a world citizen. Make no sacri-
flee for your country.
Such is the patriotism of the peace
and pifle school. and here is some
more OF IL:
War must cease. Everybody agrees
to that. II the United States will
disarm, all the other great nations
/ will. How many agree to that?
The first law of nations and nature,
self-defence, must be repealed. Love
OF personal ease and safety must be
placed above love Of country. The
preservation Of the republic must be
subordinated TO the preservation of
peace with foreign nations.
What Is Il port or W more or less,
or n little territory now n then.
or an occasional cash tribute, among
friends? We have more than we need
anyway. What IL the horrors of Bel
| GUM should COM to our women and
hlldren? We would recovc from 1t.
Other nations have done so.
National honor Is a national myth.
National defence is n national crime.
Peace must be preserved by moral
suasion, not by war. Hence forts,
navies, armies must go. This will be
accomplished by the simple process Of
first dissrming the United States.
Thus the whole problem is solved.
Nothing left to be done but TO do il.
So easy after all!
AS a non-combatant nation our
safety would be assured. Europe has
recently demonstrated this. And no
nation would have the heart to at
tack us. There is still pity in the
world for the helpless.
Witness China. the most populous,
the most peaceful and most defence
less nation on earth. and yet very.
very happy.
China has been frequently assaulted
and robbed of harhors and territory.
Did she resist by force OF arms? Not
at all! Did she go to war over
Japan's recent demands? Not at all.
She stood her ground nobly and
begged for mercy. She pointed out
her own superior virtue and peaceful
intentions.
Moral suasion won. Japan reduced
her list Of demands fully 10 per cent
ANOTHER glorious victory for those
who are opposing the hideous crime
Of national defence.
+, Listen TO the joyful words Of the
President OF China in a proclamation
to his people. as reported:
Our rights and privileges In Manchuria
have suffered enormously. We are
ashamed and Inundated. but our own
weakness invited insult. Let all the peo-
| pie unite and work tremendously for the
supreme object Of saving the country,
America can share China's happi-
ness. and occupy the same secure, in
dependent and influential position.
and command the same high respect
and consideration in the councils of
the world, IL she will but follow
China's example.
The way to be strong and inhuen-
tial is to be weak and pitiful. Hence
the slogan of III new patriotism:
"In weakness there is strength.
Millions for tribute, but not a cent
for defence"
The peace movement is designed
for a noble purpose. What II needs
is less pifile, more patriotism.
AMMI WRIGHT.
New York, July 10.
yHI ~ NJ al YnUEYU vIy - NJ