The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-06

That explains why true Slovak must have deep gratitude and sincere love towards him who is a true friend in his hour of need.
 Some of you may ask me, how is it that there are still many Slovaks who are not yet citizens of the United States! I am moving and working among them. I am hearing their trials and difficulties and knowing their needs I can speak with authorl- 'ty when I answer: It is true that many are still not citizens of the Uni ted States. But in many cases they are not to be blamed. The blame lies on the tyrannical and corrupt polite al government across the ocean whence they came. Will any of you condemn a person simply because the opportunities to acquire the necessary qualifications have been denied him in his own country? I would not; and I think that no intelligent person can condemn him for that. His children are being taken care of and he has the best material for the making of a best citizenship.
 know many who cannot read and vet they are as honest as the sun and perfectly reliable and true. Many of them would give their lives for the country they now 1.-Two in.
 I know perfectly that posterity will never reproach Slovaks. But when in years to come the roll of the na- tions defenders is read, the descend ants of Slovaks will lift their heads proudly as in words of praise their fathers deeds are extolled.
 Fellw Slovaks, our ideals are rea- lized in that flag. It symbolizes the only place on Gods own sphere where life is worth living and sacrifice worth making. It is a symbol of a country with a true freedom with individual responsibility, of personal happiness with full regard for others. That flag stands for that for which we have been struggling for many decades and could not realize in the land of our cradle. Beneath that flag we shall stand firm and faithful. And even though others shirk or flee, even though the clouds of gloom and de- spair may darken, faithfully and loy- ally we shall uphold that flag until the storm ceases and calm is restor- ed.
 |, Wherever we see an American flag we should instinctively feel like speak ing to that flag-the only flag in which the Slovak ideals. have been realized. And we may say in the si- lence of our heart: o, the, flag of my heart, my beloved flag. Tn thy red stripes I see the blood of those who died for the freedom I now enjoy There see also their appeal to me that I, too, must give my humble of fering to thee. In their white stripes see the purity of those who have always been loyal and true to thee Therein read also that I, too, must , never stain your, white purity by shrinking from my duty and my re- responsibilities towards thee. Tn thy sky-like blue, see an ideal hope o1 heaven, a hope which tells me thai this land of red, white and blue will be the greatest land in the world. IT thy unity of states and individuals lies thy salvation. Hence, today, with hearts bubbline over, with steady loyalty, and faith full love, we Slovaks of Bridgeport promise unto thee our enduring troth giving it express in the words of the poet
 "Stream on, stream on, thou labarum
 of life, Tn one general chorus our vows to
 thee we plight;
 Unfaithful to thee, never
 Our country's flag forever"