New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-20
AMERICAN BORN

To the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Will you permit me 10 buuA,.
gize to your correspondent. Mr. n. -"o'
spearing, for being born In place ~. "
does not meet with his approval, a
young at the time, and possibly M.
might be some extenuation. ~a
While | do not suppose that ,ho -
would be interested in such matter, '~
happy to assure Mr.. Spearing that wa.
in Canada; that am proud of IN. l,,sn
my birth. and at this moment I Am
removed from his point Of view tb,,t.,a
the Canadian people are fighting N. '
kind Of an American battle as was fou.l.
our fathers in the Revolution. The Ar
can men OF all breeds and creeds who 49," ~.
liberty for US under the notable lad
of Washington were fighting agains, :,
stupid Kaiserism Of German king who -
pened at that moment to occupy the E,.I',
throne. Fortunately for mankind, the b..
lish in America had backbone enough "a 81,
for their rights.
Americanism, in my judgment, is No,
matter of birthplace, but Of ideals. pr,.
Piles and spirit. The Americanism an.
which this Republic and the Canadian ps,..
are founded is a spiritual reality. Any NJ.
is an American who in his heart Of Ls,-.
believes in liberty, justice, equality Of ora.
tunity, free institutions and the right Of u.
individual TO himself. Those whose sp,.'
make no response to these ideals and prirs.
Piles are not Americans, no matter where IA,
may have been born.
Mr.. Spearing believes that | am NOT =,
American because / was born in Canada n,
also believes that ! am not a Christian \.
cause | do not think it possible 70 arb;,r,,
the Ten Commandments. He quotes the Gr.,,
Commandment, which lays upon us the du,
of loving God, and our neighbor ss ou,
selves. He implies that any one who Ober
this commandment will become a sort a.
moral jelly fish, swimming in a sea Of slush,
sentmentality.
What is the foundation Of the character #
God if it is not justice? How then can I,
man love God unless he loves justice? Ho,
can he love justice unless he hates nius
tice? How then can he stand unmoved in III,
presence of the frightful condition Of Bel
GUM and Armenia at this moment?
Who is my neighbor? My neighbor is tl,
man who needs my help. | can only shos
him love by helping him. Sentimental plat
tudes will not bind up his wounds, nor viii
they protect him from the oppressor. Jesu
of Nazareth loved the world enough to fight
even unto the death.
The fact is that Mr.. Spearing and all liz
him have allowed their sentimentslity Il
master their intelligence. There is differ
ence between right and wrong. There is sud
a thing as duty. The consequence OF wronl
is retribution. The consequence of RICH.
eousness is the reward Of character Even
moral choice involves discipline, hardship
sacrifice. and often suffering. The hope fo
the future of mankind lies in becomn,
acquainted with the great moral principle
upon which Jesus Christ built his life, and i,
defence of which he died.
would not interfere with Mr.. Spearingt
passionate affection for the opponents o,
frightfulness, but | would respectfully sug
gest that while he is breaking the alsbss;a
box of his love upon the brow Of mitarisn
he spare thought, at least, for the million
of brave men who, at the cost Of wounds ant
death, are seeking to save mankind from On
slavement. CHARLES A. EAION
New York, Feb. 16, 1917.