Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-05-31

lposterity.
This nation is great dynamic
force, comprised of peoples from all
nations OF the earth-of men of all
races. creeds and social condition: it
has been an asylum for the oppres-
lsed of all lands; our arms have been
Iopened freely to receive all those who
sought our shores for home, and
freedom and opportunity, and there is
yet welcome TO all who may come
TO find homes, freedom and opportu-
nifty, and to become of us and for us.
Pursuant to the wise counsels of
the Father Of His Country we persis-
Itently and consistently kept free from
European and other foreign entang-
ling alliances, but time, progress, I'M
fOrseen events, and our duty to hui.
Imahity have enlarged our horizon so
THAT we are now become a great
world power, and we cannot-we
must not-snirk our duty and re-
Isponsibility as such, nor should we
held lightly privileges and opportu-
mites thus brought to our doors.
A great and bitter war is now en-
gulfng more than half of the civiliz-
led world, and China-monumen al
China, with an area of one third
more than the whole United States,
and with a population three and a
half times that of the United States,
put poor, backwardlooking China,
sne too, would be at war if she could,
and dared to be.
We have been perilously near the
brink. We may yet be called upon
to uphold that beautiful flag, which
l-n NIL af ErA h.,, ierl,-
cloud by day, served to lead the pa
triots of 1875, and of 1862 through
the wilderness of war to the promised
land OF freedom. We may not al
ways stand apart and see the rights
of citizens ruthlessly invaded, our
countrymen outraged and killed wan
tonly, and the Star Spangled Banner.
literally as we'll as nuratively spat
upon and trampled in the dust, not
alone by the powerful nations of the
world, but by beggarly, illiterate
bandit-ridden country that for more
than three years has made us a ny
word among the governments of the
earth.
| A time there was, when as youth,
| studied the history of my country,
my heart throbbed with patriotic ar
dor, for l then believed that the flag
of my country spelled assurance OF
protection on the land or at sea, OF
the person and the rights of citizen
of this great Republic.
| How now are the mighty fallen?
Why now the palsied arm and the
Iquaking heart of that Republic?
Why must the citizens of our country
tremble 10 cry out against the des-
truction of our commerce, and the
outrages against humanity by osten-
sibly highly civilized and cultured
nations? Why do we stand aghast
at the invasion of a few miles of our
inland border?
Are we the descendants of the pa
triots who fought tyrannical ruler
from Lexington and Concord to
Yorktown? Are we the sons and
daughters of that grand army of the
Union that fought to it's lair the ven
omous viper of Secession and States
Rights, and preserved and perpetual
ed this Union-the United States one
Iunseparable. Ii we be the sons and
daughters of those patrioticq heroes,
then let us acquit ourselves like men,
and be strong. Let us lift aloft this
noble ensign, and swear anewLour al
Ilegiance to it and to the tcouatry il
Itypifies, and If there be hesitating,
hating, exotic citizen, let him re-
nounce, again, and forever, his allie
] glance to any foreign prince, poten-
tate or power, and swear anew his al
legiance to our lag, and to support
the Constitution and the government
Of our country, Or let him depart
from our shores he is not of US, nor
tor us.
Let the United States build up her
navy; enlarge and equip her army
and her coast defences, let her pro-
vide for Matchmaking her Industrial
resources; provide for universal mill
tary training for the youth of the
land in every institution aided or
supported by the public revenues, and
lthen-let her never raise her arm ex-
cept in the protection of the person
and property of her citizens; in de-
tense of her honor, in the advance
lment of civilization, or in the defense
OF humanity.
When We have done this, then, and
mot until then, will we have truly
lhonored the memory of the fallen
heroes, and paid proper tribute to
the valor and achievements of these
veterans who are yet spared to live
with us and among us.
ng slower,
G lower,
C stirs the hearts of older men;
them,
d love them
e when they'll never march again.
near;
arer
e nation from the severing southern
oll-call of the angel of the Lord
number,
er,
e already many have found peace at
lessons DER the silent Wondering
omrades of the battles of the past.
duller,
lor,
ear them finds harder task to do;
htened when the blaze of battle
y follow are grown dim and faded too.