The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1916-06-17
AN APPEAL TO
THE SPIRIT OF
"OLD GLORY" /"
By J. Dreyfus.

By j. Dreyfus.
| What is a Flags A rag tha
symbolizes national greed, ambi
tion, power and gloryi A piece o
bunting rejecting the soldiers w
lor and the conqueror's crown
the tyraDt's strength, the despair
of the savef A widely accepte,
fetch embracing in it's folds dy
nastic distinies, national servi
tude, the ruthless march of th,
autocrat over peoples hopes ant
aspirationsi Yes, some flags hav,
waved over oppressed lands, hav,
waited death to all aspiring to
wards freedom, towards nationa
consciousness.
Some flags even incarnate the
spirit of absOlutism, of sworn enmi
~ to progress and enlightenment
of the involuntary enslavement of
peoples and nations But .this
flag, with it's sparkling stars and
stripes, was born IN the cradle of
liberty, rocked by the hand of
righteousness and raised and
grown to protect and defend de-.
mocracy, the mass of men, hu-
manity. 1t has it's roots in the
soil of no tradition, of no warriors
history. of no dynastic struggles,
of no class privileged clans ex
ploitation and spoliation.
1t grows from the heart of free.
man; it draws it's nOurishment
and life from the spirit of justice
and righteousness of the nation,
1t needs no. external protection.
no sword for it's respect, no exhor
tations for it's love.
Government, soldier and orator
may cease their function, old glory
would still evoke devout worship,
thunderous applause from the
millions whose spirit of freedom is
crystalized in it's folds. Its stars
are more lustrous and inspiring
than those blinking in the firma.
ment. They draw their light
from the soul of free nation:
they illuminate and food the pat b
OF the soul OF all nations. Wher
ever oppression's cry is raised;
prosecutions wall made the ruler's
hymn of hate, this flag shines
brighter than the star of hope.
penetrates deeper into the consci. |
ence of mankind than the promis.
ed redemption of the reformed
sinner. Idol worshippers yet de-
rlde it's sublime sweep; followers
)f Baal and Mammon execrate it's
noble appeal. But no passion, no
prejudice, however impulsive, lr.
'esistible they may be, dare put
he impions hand on it's pure col.
'rs to trail it IN the mire and
lime of greed and selfishness.
The ic0noclast, in reckless mood
md temper of despair, would not
|esecrate the emblem's mute an
zeal Our flag embodies more
han the nations struggle from
hildhood to maturity, more than
citizens assertion of equal
lights and privileges. The en-.
hanting music of the stars played
q the stripes is the voice of love,
t justice, of universal brother.
ood. 1t il not a symbol of az
ression, of force, of ambition; it
beacon light of peace, good
1ill and cOntentmeDt. 1t stands
or an ideal of government, for a
atiOnal soul which encircles the
inverse. It's broad and world
Tide spirit of divine rights of
len and nations Is being accepted {
y prophet, philosopher and sa-
ant.
1t ls being defended and pre-
,rved by the inner cons ,iousness
man without appeal to force,
we that force and strength of In
'llect which put justice above
alton and right above power. "
he ideal of our government, the '
ati0nal consciousness of our de.
ocracy for which this flag il be. y
X publicly idolized lie at present
eiDg seriously challenged by the v
)is0nOus dragon Of militarism {
hose venlm0us fangs has steep. 3
Europe into cataclysm which y
lreatens to obliterate old concep-
ons Of International relations n
I'd old rights of national exist 3
Ice. Very soon the nation. the =
,nuine American, will know v
hat side should predominant. T
18th sword and fire and destruc.
DD, might will gradually assault
II ramparts, our breastworks, Il
lly to receive, I confidently
'pe, the death thrust, which !
low, brave men born of q geDu. =
Q patriotism and love Of coun =
=, can 90 successfully deliver. v
striotism is not an empty word, j
ly flling space and attention in 8
Q c0ward's vocabulary. It may 3
ban stern duty, sacrifice of com g
It, hardships, wounds and pains,
It the blood of the authors of T
9 constitution and the declara