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

We are hearing more about "Ameri-
canism these days than ever before,
and it would seem that the people of
this country feel it necessary to keep it
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
bogie if it is there.
Just what this Americanism is we
would like very much to know. In 9TH
or 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 profited by these special privileges
became so powerful that they are not
afraid of attempting to plunge a
great and peaceful nation into war, to
ill their pockets and banks to bursting.
We know that equal opportunity is often
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
hurled at our heads by orators, to the
accompaniment CT brass band, through
@ -~ocess Of elimination.
n under all of our sins must be
-" Tie which holds these many kinds
o. neople together, something which
rs hos possible the melting pot" or as.
r alton of many elements who bring
II traditions along with their bed
80 IA the stecrage of the Atlantic
Ia.
here is Just one ideal to which this
-~-ntrv holds that other countries dc
rct. It is the dignity Of labor. Not
tint labor is necessarily well paid or APP
r-cnicted: not that it has not Away:
tcar exploited but, that in his heart
every American respects the honest tot
nf INV man, be it digging roadbeds oil
oc~rpying q lofty professional position
other countries may say that they do
hut they do not. For thew have all sup
norted leisure class and allowed it tc
become their master. The caste sys.
ten, is well fixed il parts of Europe; the
members Of the military party of Ger
many may not marry unless they car
command certain amount of money anc
( live in fitting" state. This money
usually comes from the bride as the man
receives small pay. Ladies in England
must not soil their hands with household
tasks. The small feet of the Chinese
women were intended to show that they
belonged to class that did not work.
But in America the person who does
{. nothing is looked upon with suspicion
He is parasite upon society. He is
thought to be worthless. Women, too
. Nho have no OCCUPATION beyond the 40.