The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-24
Of What Are We Thinking?

BY George Barr Mocutcheon of The Vigantes.
What is in the mind Of the American citizen
while The Star Spangled Banner" is being
played?
OF what are we thinking?
Are we thinking Of the flag and all that II
stands for or are our minds otherwise engageoF
OF course, it is reasonably certain that we are
thinking of something but have our thoughts
the slightest connection with the message our
flag is carrying to the enemy?
We obediently arise with the first sonorous
note Of the anthem and we remain standing till
the end. We have learned, or we are learning
to face the music" more less at attention
and we are developing the conviction that 1t Is
an offense to chatter while the strains OF our war
song perhaps our death-song, fill our ears. But
are we thinking OF The Star Spangled Ban
ner'?
Or are we silently urging the musicians to
hurry up and be done with it so that we may
resume an interrupted occupation? Are we i'm
patiently waiting to take up broken converse
ton; a game OF bridge; the telling Of a story:
the reading Of a newspaper; the liberal art OF
criticizng the war department, the navy or the
administration; Or what is Infinitely more In :
compatible exploiting the hateful efficiency or
the foe?
we are in public places. We suspend for the mo-
ment our physical interests, and we look about
us to see If other people are doing the same?
Some Of us get up grudgingly and stand as we
happen to have been sitting, with our backs to
the music some of us go knitting: others Of
us continue to keep our hands in our pockets
and our cigars in our mouths others think that
nothing more is required OF them than the lower
ing of the voice to an undertone; others con-
slider bland expression of resignation to be eff
cient and some fall into an attitude of tolerant
subnissiveness. There is little evidence Of
exaltation, no sign Of inward thrill, sug-
gestion Of a profound emotion. The beautiful
inspiring concentration OF thought that attends
the "Marseillaise" is lacking; the full-hearted
sensation that glorifies Rule Britannia" is alb
sent; even the fervor Of the Teuton as symbol
lied in cultural acclaim is sadly wanting. We
the most imaginative, the most alert people in
the world totally devoid Of imagination dur
ing the rendition of our war-song.
Why should we not think or even pray, as the
French the English and the Germans think and
pray az, while s their song Of hope is being sounded?
song. It goes into the thick Of the fight with
our flag and our boys 1t emphasizes our hopes,
our aims, our longings and of what are we
thinking,-we who stay at home,-while it's
strains falling upon our ears? Are we so to
speak playing the game? d..
Why shouldn't we, one and all, great and
small, think alike for as long as five minutes
in each day? Let there be but one thought, one
end Of this great land to the other let this be the
beginning Of our prayer the instant the band
strikes UP, THE Star spangled Banner"
God be with our flag and our soldiers and our
arms wherever they may be!'
And let this be the end of devout, intensi-
fled prayer as the last note dies away:
God give us victory!
Not perfunctorlly, not as a matter Of duty,
but with our hearts in It, our nerves aautver,
our eyes glowing with the fire Of enthusiasm.
One thought one prayer in a hundred million
minds!
Every heart Luu, every mind Intent as we face
the enemy! For after cal, this Star Spangled
banner Of ours Is facing the foa in far-off land
and there is no other direction in which we may
look.
Our men so with the banner to the music OF
gunBi we stand at home and face, not the g1inB,
but a group OF fiddIersl Our thoughts, our pray
ers nevertheless should be the same as theirs.
Our silent prayer, however brief. should Sc For
victory. Let US always utter IT, one ana ali,
while THE Star SpangIed Banner is being
played.
God giva rs giet8ryg