New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-07
At IS TRUE AMERIC ANISM?
Well known Thinkers Put Nndivid.
uaI ideals and Desires Into Their
Conception of a National
Trait: Religion. Democ-
racy. Liberty.

termost to stop the present var, though know
such statements have been made. II the .,s
OF the struggle depended on the America,
people not another shot would be fired.
i am very tired Of this old charge TIA,
we are basely commercialized people q,
the contrary, think that we are, at bottom
the most idealistic of nations. TIE resuons,
of the people TO President Wilson's high ideal.
ism In his handling Of our troubles with Ger.
many is the completest proof OF that. Thu,
there are certain sections and groups deenly
affected by trade and by business is, OF cour,,
true. But so are there tendencies and sroupi
among the Germans, the English and r..
French. How else would Germany and Ens.
land have made such successes as trader,y
William Jay Sehieffelin said,
THE present war has shown that each Euro.
pean nation has strongly developed sense a
nationalism If war came to America the sarus
patriotic unity would be displayed Blu, tho
duty OF the hour is to develop the national
spirit, in order to avoid war by adequately
preparing for defence, and to keep the naticu
true to it's highest destiny.
AT present there is too much sectionasrn.
The journals and the citizens In certain par,
OF one state are often loath to speak even Of
the achievements of those inhabitng other
parts. This absurd jealousy should be rooted
out and high ideals for the whole nation
should constantly be upheld
The Rev. DR.. Charles II. Psrkhurst, Of Mad.
son Square Presbyterian Church, said,
American character is very mixed COIN
modify because It is so heterogeneous. Amer.
icanism, however, is sentiment thst has 40
hyhens."
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw, president of the Ns.
tionsl Woman Suffrage Association, said:
What is Americanism3 To me true Amer.
icanism consists in the belief in and loyalty
to tho fundamental principles which were first
set forth in 1916, when our forefathers signed
the Declaration Of independence In tbs
document they declared certain truths to b.
self-svident. First-'That all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their Creatu
with certain" inaliensbe rights; that anon,
these are life, liberty and the pursuit OF happi-
ness; that to secure these rights governments
are instituted among men, deriving their Just
powers from the consent Of the governed
1t was the acceptance of these 'self-eyident'
truths which bound the people Of the thirteen
original colonies together as a new nation"
Meyer Londoni
Religious tolerance, highly developed dern.
ocratic institutions, freedom from the national
hatreds of the Old World, contempt for
aristocracy of birth. opposition TO every form
of militarism, an opportunity TO the healthy,
to the strong and to the enterprising Of ali ma
tons and of all races to help build free
people-these are the things that America has
contributed to civilization.
ITO me Americanism means the opportunity
to do better than the rest OF the world
Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge, president of tho NJ
tional Association Opposed to Woman SuHrss
said:
Real Americanism Is a thing deep sro
vital. 1t embodies an ideal which lies tar De-
meath mere surface and show. There is won
derful !dealism inherent in the American M
ton. What often appears to be an overwnem'
ing absorption In commercialism, with is a.
tendant greed and seltishness, is, l think
superficial manifestation Back OF this the true
American character stands stalwsrt and unen'
meshed ! do not think the American nation
is the greatest nation on earth. | think TO-DAY
the French nation is the greatest. France ha'
displayed the most exalted patriotism, eou''
age and willingness to sacrifice from TIE Dc
ginning of this great war. Whether Anef'e''
under those circumstances, could rise 90
premely to the occasion no one could say
occasion would have to develop. However,
faith in the American people, as people Z
unit which is becoming more and more G
sinct, is very great
The Rev. David H. Greer, D. d., pastor OF 'h'
the Diocese Of New York, said:
America to-day stands for high ideals !"
patriotic mission is to be true 70 those iaeas
and to maintain them. Flowing through a.
our heterogeneous and racial mixtures ard CIV
ing color and complexion to them all is 'n''
current of a high human ideal"
Edward Alden JeWeH