Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-11

same 1orpeArance, tho same deltbArAtton
and care with which he has met the
previous difficulties in our foreign at
fairs the President will meet the pres
ent crisis. The nation can trust him to
act justly and honorably and fearless
~. whatever may lie b. fore us. In his
nands the destiny Of the United States
Is sure: the national honor is safe.
The American people-and I think
they are no different from other people
have have, been growing more and more
utiMtafian IN these later years; their
thoughts ana acts more and more In
nuenced by what is called the practical
ana less and less by what is called the
ideal. Immediate and tangible benefit
Is the apparent goal Of American ef-
extent, it has absorbed the thought and
energy Of our people. In every sphere
OF human activity, social, religious.
political and industrial, this conception
of the thing desirable in our national
potent.
Time to Take Stock.
I'VE who are living in this period.
particularly at time like the present.
ought to take stock Of the spiritual as
well as material resources of this ma
ton. It may be said that the average
man Of today has been wont to weigh
in the scales OF expediency national
duty and national honor-all those in
tense sentiments which in the old days
kindled the souls OF men and made the
United States a great. Independent ma
ton. dedicated to human liberty.
ITO Americans who cherish the
spirit which inspired the fathers OF the
republic. to Americans who revere the
memory OF those who half a century
ago laid down their lives for the right
as they saw it, to Americans who meas
ure conduct by a sense of duty rather
than by material benefit, this tendency
of present-day thought has been viewed
with apprehension for the future Of
the republic.
at is indeed a commentary on the
American people that not a few think
ing men have been asking with serious
concern: Have American eyes grown
dim to the achievements Of the past?
Has the blood OF patriotism ceased to
throb in American veins7 Have we
forgotten that our heritage of liberty
was sealed with the lives OF devoted
we must hold and transmit unimpaired
to the generations to come?
II believe most firmly that every one
of these questions can be answered in
the negative. I believe that at heart
the American people are loyal and
patriotic. Put to the test I do not fear
the outcome. I know that the people
are to be trusted and that to them the
honor Of the nation is dearer than life
itself. And yet feel that the spread
Of materialism has been a menace to
our national character, to which we
should not be indifferent-a menace
which ought not and must not con-
tinue.
Source of Country's Greatness.
THE greatness Of this nation does
not lie in the immensely OF its terri
tory nor In its millions Of population
nor in the vastness Of its resources nor
in it's intellectual and economic prog
ress which finds no parallel in his
tory.
1.-THE greatness of America lies in the
hearts Of its citizens. II those hearts
should recognize this; and II we do
recognize 1t do you not perceive that
it depends upon the potent influence
which sentiment exercises over the
American people?
less by materialists; indeed. 'senti-
mentalist' and idealist' have become
terms Of contempt. almost of reproach.
in these latter days: but was 1t not
which gave independence to
America; which made us free and
powerful? The sentimental love Of
country is the nobleSt passion which
can possess people. It Is that sentf-
ment which is exalted by history.
which Is the theme of song and poetry.
and which is preserved for the ages in
nodded bronze and chiseled marble.
In the potency Of that sentiment rest
the destinies Of the United States.
ITO preserve in their high place in
the life of the republic those great
and proud nation we must cultivate
sentiment and emphasize the ideal more
than we have done in recent years. We
must cease measuring accomplishment
by dollars and cents. We must re-
member that character Is not built on
accumulated riches. but on ideals. It
is SO in the Individual. It is equally
SO in the nation.
Sentiment "Worth While.''
Sentiment OF every sort. provided
its object is noble. is worth while. 1t
is worth cultivating and encouraging,
for the sentimentalist Is tho man who
will always subordinate his own in
terests to those Of the nation. He
thinks in terms Of the ideal and not in
terms of the material. In lettering
his own character, he does his part
toward upbuilding the character Of his
while every noble sentiment should
be strengthened 1 see in the sentiment
which we call college spirit one that
Is closely akin to patriotism. 1t is true
that It's sphere is much smaller and the
possible demand for personal sacrifice
Is far less, but there Is the same 10y
atty, the same enthusiasm. the same de-
sire to serve without reward. I cannot
imagine a man who possesses college
spirit being other than a patriot. True
to his alma mater. he win always be
true to his country.
1--WE should never forget that the flu
ture of the United States Is in the
hands Of those of Its citizens who are
loyal to its traditions, who are devoted
10 its ideals. and who love their coun-
try not because 1t is rich and power
rul and offers opportunity. but because
It stands for human liberty. for right
.ousness, and for eternal Justice. Men
who look beyond the material things
are the ones who place the nation above
Ill and who are the first to stand forth
when the call comes for service"
RUMORS OF REBEL PLOT