The Detroit times., 1916-06-07
The Real Americanism
Is an Appreciation Of
the Dignity of Labor

We are hearing more about Amer
canism these days than ever before
and it would seem that the people OF
this country feel it necessary to keep il
before their minds eye constantly lest
they lose courage or somebody else may
think they have. 1t is like the small
boy who whistles in the dark for the
purpose of making himself think he is
strong and brave and deceiving the
boyle if it is there.
Just what this Americanism is we
would like very much to know. In 9TH
er days it consisted of an adherence to
the ideals of the Declaration of indie
pendence; equality for all, special privi-
leges for none and an opportunity for
the pursuit of happiness. But times
have changed. We all know that much
of the "big business was based upon
special privilege and that this invaded
the very halls of government; that those
who profted by these special privileges
became SO powerful that they are not
afraid of attempting to plunge a
great and peaceful nation into war, to
fill their pockets and banks to bursting.
We know that equal opportunity is often
9 myth, and that money controls oppor-
tunity too much as did royalty in
Europe in older days. We all know that
the only way labor has arrived at its
comparatively comfortable condition is
by the power it has achieved through
organization.
We all know, also, that this country
was intended to serve as a refuge for
the downtrodden and oppressed of other
nations, but we are endeavoring to pass
exclusion laws against the Hindu, as
well as the Chinese, because of the pro-
test set up along the Pacific coast. We
all know, too, about the Colorado af-
fair when the state militia turned
against its own people, as the soldiers
did that bloody Sunday in Russia, and
the government sanctioned it,. None OF
US would admit that these things are
american" and we must arrive at the
conception of this grandiloquent word
hurled at our heads by orators, to tn,
accompaniment of brass band, through
q process of elimination.
For under all of our sins must b.
some tie which holds these many kind
of people together, something which
makes possible the melting pot" or as
similation of many elements who brin,
hnsv. fro oil xryit ~, AaJ
ding, in the steerage of the Atlanti
liners.
There is just one ideal to which thi
country holds that other countries
not 1t is the dignity of labor. No
that labor is necessarily well paid or ar
preciated; not that it has not Away
been exploited. but, that in his heart
every American respects the honest to-
\ Of any man, be it digging roadbeds o
occupying lofty professional position
Other countries may say that they dc
but they do not. For they have all sup
ported leisure class and allowed it t
become their master. The caste sys
tenn is well fixed in parts of Europe; tn
members Of the military party of Ger
many may not marry unless they cal
command certain amount of money an,
live in a fitting" state. This money
usually comes from the bride as the mar
receives small pay Ladies in England
must not soil their hands with household
tasks. The small feet of the Chimes,
women were intended to show that the,
belonged to class that did not work.
But In America the person who doe.
nothing Is looked upon with suspicion
He is a parasite upon society. He i,
thought to be worthless. Women, too
NO have no occupation beyond the so