Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-09-27
LOYALTY TO AMERICA is
FIRST DUTY OF ALL ALIENS
.tContinueo from rage one)

Europe. knew that the issue had
bten joined between the powers OF
brutal might and insensate ambition
on the one side and the forces of
humanity and liberty on the other,
between darkness and light.
Many there were at that time
and amongst them men for whose
character | had high respect and
whose motives were beyond any DOS
siole suspicion-who saw their own
and Americas duty in strict neutrali.
ty. mentally and actually. but person.
ally believed from the beginning of
the war. whether we liked all the ele-
ments of the allies combination or
not-and | certainly did not like the
Russia of the Czars-that the cause
OF the allies was Americas cause.
believed that this was no ordin.
AIRY war between peoples for n ques.
ton of national interest or even ma.
tional honor, but conflict between
fundamental principles and ideas; and
so believing, | was bound to feel that
the natural lines OF race. blood and
,iDship could not be the determining
lines for ones attitude and alignment.
but that each man. whatever his orr.
gin had to decide according TO his
judgment and conscience on which
SIDE was the right and on which was
nh OF.
ingly, whatever the wrench and
anguish of the decision. And thus |
took my stand three years ago
But whatever ones views and feel.
hlgs, whatever the country OF ones
birth or kin, only one course was left
for all those claiming the privilege
OF American citizenship when by &C
ton of the president and congress the
cause and the fight OF the allies was
formally made our cause and our fight
| The duty of loyal allegiance and
faithful service TO his country, even
unto death. rests. OF course, upon
every American.
But, If IL be possible TO speak OF a
comparative degree concerning what
is the highest as it is the most
elementary attribute OF citizenship.
that duty may almost be said TO rest
with an even more solemn and com.
polling obligation upon Americans of
foreign origin than upon native Amer
leans
For, we Americans of foreign ante.
cedents ARE here not by the accidental
right of birth, but by our own free
choice for better or for worse.
! We are your fellow citizens because
you accepted our oath of allegiance
as given in good faith, and because
you have opened TO us in generous
trust the portals of American oppor.
tunity and freedom, and have admitted
us to membership in the family of
4 Americans, giving us equal rights in
the great inheritance which has been
created by the blood and the toll of
your ancestors. asking nothing from
us in return but decent citizenship
and adherence to those ideals and
principles which are symbolized by
; the glorious flag of America.
Woe to the foreign-born American
who betrays the splendid trust which
you have reposed in him!
Woe TO him who considers his Am
erican citizenship merely as con
yenient garment to be worn in fair
weather but to be exchanged for an
other one in time of storm and stress
= Woe to the German-American. so
. called, who in this sacred war for a
cause as high as any for which ever
people took up arms. does not feel
solemn urge, does not show an eager