The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-01-25
p AT RIO TIS N

that we are one whit less patriotic
to-day than we were then.
Of course we should not let our
patriotic instincts run away with
us, we have to give serious consid-
Grafton to the problems that are
confronting US, and that is the
inadequacy of our army and our
navy. But we are given to under
stand that both will be improved
us rapidly as possible. To those
people who are inclined to think
that our patriotism is on the de-
cline would like to point out one
of the greatest movements that the
American people have ever under
taken, and that is, the High School
Volunteers of America.
These boys are patriotic who
join this movement and their par
ents are just as patriotic to allow
them as they are the ones who have
to stand the butt of the expense.
We have to look at this OrganiZa-
ton very closely in order to ap-
preciate it's stupendous capacity.
The figures run into millions, and
they are the rising generation who
will have to take care of their
country. So that it seems to me
that those who criticize US are un-
just in their criticisms for being
unpatriotic, and it looks like their
accusations are unfounded.
| believe that it is an indisputable
fact that we of this country enjoy
more freedom than in any couDtry
on the globe and defy anyone to
show me country where the av-
erage man enjoys the amount of
freedom that we of this country
enjoy. l think that a great deal
of this trouble could be traced
down to ignorance of the Constitu-
ton of the United States; ignor-
ance of the fundamental principles
of our national life.
During the last few years prob
lens have arisen that surely should
have opened our eyes and that is
that our nation has taken on the
aspect of four or five nations in
place of one, so that if we would
have the same trouble if we had to
60 to war. It would take a large
force to cope with the internal
trouble. as we'll as to fight to keep
the other enemy out. The place
that we should start to improve is
at our port of entry; we should
take more care to teach immigrants
who come here the things which
we expect them to do.
At one of our recent meetings,
our worthy president, in the course
of his remarks, said he believed
that if the average American pub
lie were given an examination in
the Constitution of the United
States, he did not believe the av-
erage would be sixty per cent, and
l believe that be spoke the truth.
United States history as it was
taught when attended school was
in a condensed form-I might say,
very much condensed-so that the
average American did not have,
unless he purchased different
works. a very good chance to study
history, and there was not great
deal of stress put on what we did
learn. But l can remember very
distinctly that a great deal of
stress was brought to bear to teach
me Greek and how approximately
distant the stars were from the
earth and that the climate was
very severe in Siberia. Now.
United States history is a subject
that should be taught very extern
sively. Teach the fundamental
principles of Americanism, what
the Stars and Stripes stand for.
One grand movement has been
started, follow it up with another
that is just as big. Teach every
one that the United States is the
greatest country, barring none, on
Gods green earth.