Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-05
American Spirit
Awakened by War
Patriotism Blares Forth in EN-
blem of Flag and National
Colors in ELECTRICITY
BY FRANK KIVEL.

OF -Afuerlca. Inc country mas Souuilleu,
concentrated. Her citizens have uncon-
sciously been drawn more closely to-
gether in the common bond of Ameri- I
canism. Not for fifty years have her
people laid aside their political differ
ences to such an extent and given the
president such loyal support.
And the cause OF all this Is war.
The air today is filled with war talk.
Everybody is thinking about the great
struggle in Europe; some are mourning
the death OF a Lowell one in the trenches,
or scanning every dispatch with an
guished eyes for news of father, son
or brother ut the front. Or bringing it
closer toward home, little knots of peo-
pie are gathered in front of every news
paper bulletin board from the Atlantic
to the Pacifip. Familiet, around the
table at the evening meal; men on their
way to work in the street cars, all are
discussing in tense tones the seriousness
of the Mexican situation. wondering
what the result will be, what the presi-
dent, what congress will do.
And what is the result of all thisy
1t has awakened the sleeping spirit Of
America. II has aroused the patriotism
of every citizen and made his mealize
that every one of us, from the baby
born this instant to the latest natural
lied citizen, is an American first, last,
and all the time.
II has made him realize that We must
live up to the motto of our country:
-E Pluribus Unum" That We are
bound together in the folds of red.
white aud blue in the most devoted and
loyal patriotism; old and youn. rich
and poor. from the plutocrat to the la
boring man.
There have been in the past. particu-
hrly since the coal strike Ia Colorado.
sighting and sneenng remarks made
about the Americanism Of the Rboring
man, especially the member OF a union,
that DE is union muu first that ho
doesn't respect and love the fhg Of his
country.
This is manifestly unjust and ~ rra-
-onablc citizen believes this tWaddle Tor
an instant. However, II is easy TO 80
where this report emanatcs from II
j. due 10 the fact that 20 many OF our
citizens who form the rank and file OF
the workers were born, or spent, their
early days beneath the colors o< an
other country.
IL Is up TO the rest of us to give the
lie 10 such fabrications by teaching our
foreign brothers, and incidentally our
selves and our children, where the hope
OF our country lies, just what American
patriotism means.
To inspire true patriotism in every
BREATHING american. the eolors of his
country should be forever in sight They
should be continually on view, day and
night. The American OF foreign birth,
the native American and his childr~n
should know the true significanosST
b.,
stimulated and his love for the starry
banner aroused and nourishod by b..
holding II ON every side.
And the means is at hand, ready To b.
adopted Immediately.
All over the United States, to foster
the spirit Of patriotism. the electric In
tcrcsts are commencing nation wide
campaign for the establishment OF elee-
trio American flags in the most con.
spicuous places in the cities, on tho most
prominent landmarks everywhere.
When the sun goes down and the light
dies our eolors should not be allowed
TO fade into the gathering gloom and
our patriotism browse into indifference
Our spirit of Ancricanism should bc
kept ever awake by thousands Of radi-
ant stars and cleaning stripes. illum-
mating the shadows of the dark hours
with their dazzling rays, the signal
lights of freedom, union ard liberty
Now, IL ever, the time Is at hand
for the laboring man to show his pa
triotism. to rcfutc the slandcrous ap-
persions cast upon IL by the ignorunt
and demonstrate his loyalty to his
country by teaching his co-worketz of
foreign birth the lesson Of the naN its
message OF hope for the afflicted, jus
tiee for the oppressed and equal rights
for all.
This Is his unique opportunity to re-.
deem Colorado and Denver and place
them on the lofty heights Of n patriot
ism unappronebcd by any state or city
in the Union.
Every labor union. every lodge. every
iraterna1 building, every dwelling house,
every seat of industry in the city should
be tho fount of true Amcrieanism.
pointing the way for all to follow by
Illuminating the path to patriotism with
the soul stirring, shining flag Of the
Union.
There is more light per capita burned
IN Denver than in any city in the
United States. bar none. We should all
unite, and with the sparks of our glow.
ing devotion to her welfare and our
pride in her destiny, ignite blaze of
patriotic light.
Denver is already "The City of
Lights.' let us make her "Ths City
of Patriotic Lghts."
Let us bastion our patriotism on the
ramparts of the city. Let us implant
the blnzing. undying colors Of the
United States on the rminenccs, on the
most conspicuous landmarks at every
point Of the compass. Then, from her
lofty pinnacle among the peaks, the high
lights Of her patriotism illuminating
civilization, cnthroned in emblasoncd