The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-12-12
Teach Americani<m.

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in full swing. Let each teacher and
parent do their great work now in
making efficient citizens of our young
people for our country'S future.
Now is the time to put a new subject
in the course of study of our schools
Americanism This should be the first
subject on each enthusiastic teachers
daily schedule.
Kaiser Wilhelm himself has said that
the world war is Il struggle between
two systems of civilization. One is per-
sonitied in Prussianism, the other in
Americanism. Our children should
know them both, but they should be
fully saturated with the very essence
Of the latter.
This is matter that should rest
heavily upon the individual teachers
sense of responsibility. 1t is matter
that school boards and superintendent
should consider quickly and seriously.
1t is Il matter that parents should take
up with local school authorities.
An American is a man who has an
American soul. who believes in the
spiritual realities upon which America
rests, and out Of which it was born.
No man has right to call himself an
American unless he is ready to fight
for America. The measure of our
Americanism is our sacrifice for its
safety and defense
An American is man who is greater
in his soul than his class, his creed,
his political party or the section in
which he lives; he must belong to the
whc.e country and the whole country
| must Nelong to him. At this time OF
war We are no longer Democrats OF
Republicans. capitalists or lahorers
| We are Americans-and every public
school in America should teach Ameri
caniSn.
Americanism is becoming more than
an ideal; it is il religion to millions
who rightly discern its meaning in the
spirit. The question faces us whether
Americanism is not to supercede mul
| titude of creeds and become the means
of spiritual expression to millions OF
American sons and daughters. presi
dent Wilson has put it most persua
sively: THE glory Of America is that
she is Il great spiritual conception ant
that in the spirit of her institution.
Gwells net only her distinction but he1
power. and the one thing the worl(
cannot permanently resist is the mora
force of great and triumphant convic
tons.
No man is an American who doe:
not place America first-hefore him
self. He must serve America. Americ;
must not serve him. No man is al
American who is not possessed of /:
genuinely democratic faith, one that il
democratic genuinely, profoundly, pas
Sionately.
We must insist upon the education
of the adult in Americanisn, as well a
the boys and girls of our public schools
Their souls must be fixed upon TIL
goal, which is America.
And this America of ours, its making
by us from day to day. its reslaping 0
us from hour to hour-how daring III
enterprise. how ENROLLING a hope, t
give ourselves for America, and to Civ
America to the world. Not America 70
Americans. but Americans for Americ;
and America for the world.
God made us worthy of .Americ;
willing to serve her eagerly. and 10y
ally. and through the loving service o
all her children God made Americ
worthier to serve the world.
Let's teach our children American
ism. a TEACHER.