The sun., 1916-11-26
Robert Bacon Sees
Newly Awakened
Spirit Among Cit
liens and Reali.
zation of Need Of
redness
By ROBERT BACON,

full sign Of the eventful times
in which we are, living IL the
newly awakened spirit Of the people
Of our country.
That there Is something new astir
In the land must be evident to every
observer. The national consciousness
is beginning to be aroused to the sense
Of our national needs.
Although the .G"'s and the ideals of
the people may NOS yet have generally
assumed practical, definite form. the
spirit OF the people is everywhere evil
dent. We ave como to recognize the
solemn Importance of our civic rights
and our civic duties.
The spirit which mas been awakened
might be defined as the spirit of SER
vice. We hear to-day. on every side,
from men and women In all walks q.
lie. the questions: What can I do?"
How can I help?"
Tho war in Europe has brought
homo to us some solemn truths. We
have felt the lack Of unity of purpos,
In our national life. We know now
that h material prosperity of our
country Is not enough, that II NAV
even be a source Of danger to our ma
tional soul.
Within a few months we have
learned that those men were not alarm
lists who, a little while ago, sought 70
impress upon our people the truth tina,
without national spirit and a national
ideal this nation could not hope to
endure.
Within the past eighteen months
we have seen this spiritual discomfort
take active expression In the formation
or many societies. TO a degree hardly
ever. before witnessed IN our history
Many activities have sprung into ey.
'stence with the object OF uniting orr
people. binding them together for COM
mon defence, n a~ssociating them for
the purpose Of cooperation and com.
mon effort.
IL Is a cause for Inspiration an 4
qualification to every American tina,
the response to the appeal made bv
these societies to the nation has been
widespread and sincere. Men and
women by the thousands and hun
dreds OF thousands throughout the lanI
nave enrolled I'm organizations having
Tor their purpose the study of the
needs OF the nation. The work has
= p zen carried OH in the schools. amonc
The foreign born and among the na,iv.
born, until one to-day can fee, the i'm.
pulse OF a national spirit.
Not quite a year ago the Natiopa,
security League held its first
IN Washington. At that time the So.
euri,y league was n new and compare
tiVeiy small organization. To-day /,
mas 100000 members enrolled I'm oSC
branches and committees, located IN
all parts OF the Union.
Inc first congress Of the league was
to many an inspiration and an awaken.
ing. Its call for national Preparedness
served 10 crystalline the opinions of q
great number OF our citizens, who hac
, been disturbed by our lack of adeauat,
national defence.
The National Security League ma.
:. Jus. issued n call for another na,iona.
5 congress. which will be held in Wash.
ington on January %. IS and -, 1917
Invitations to attend tho congress hay,
!, been extended, or will be extended, no
+, only TO he hundred thousand member,
q or the leaEue but also to tho member!
$ or ali learned societies. patriotic socie,
y ties. and commercial, labor and agri
= cultural associations.
The congress will have even create,
= Importance than that OF last winter
for as the first served I,
: arouse the spirit OF the people. so thl,
q coming congress, 1t is expected. vii
serve To define the thoughts aud aim!
n that haNn hann Stgrrln, IL. it, ,,,lNt
mind. A programme has been ar
ranged for tho discussion Of ccrtair
d fundamental questions. among then
n the following:
I. The scope and effects Of universe
5 training and service. both civic an,
military.
/, .. International relations and obliga
tons and the necessity that their ma
n ture, as affecting the future of thu
nation. be generally understood.
3. Governmental and individual 81
ficiency and the injuries which result
from their neglect.
> 4. The function OF education in IL,
Il development OF n tru' American
~ patriotism.
J. E. Practical means and remedie
l. whereby national carelessncss and In
u efficiency may he eliminated, an
whereby there may he fostered a pa
q triotism that shall find expression Il
everyday life.
National preparedness Is tho mos
vital problem that confronts our pco
pie to-day. Military preparedness. al
though unquestionably essential fo
q our defence, is only a small part Of tn
preparedness we need for the maxim
= of n nation. II Is vitality neccssar
% that there be preparedness and ef
ficiency and organization In IA
!" branches OF industrial and agriculture
!, activity as we'll.
There must he among our pcopl
!, community OF purpose. We must hol
N common ideals and II common love ,
country. The surcst way. II not tn
r, only way to have our individual cit
Is zens feel that they are part OF thi
, nation, and that its welfare Is vital I
~ them, IL 10 inspire I'm our men an
women from the days Of their child
hood the thought that his country I
r. which they live and where they emo
,e their prosperity. Is worth serving AN
y worth making a sacrifice for.
pr There has been a great change
vi sentiment throughout the country
regard To universal military trainin
10 and service. The idea has been o,
posed on the ground that 1t Was VI
% American. Nothing could be flrth,
Il frnp, tho fart Tho prinrinln ,n,,.