Daily Kentuckian., 1918-06-16

-
4 n republic; n sovereign nation OF
many sovereign states; perfect
z Union. one and inseparable; es-
, tnhlished upon those principles
\ ~ freedom. equality, justice ana
humanity for which American
Z pntriots sacrificed their lives and
Z fortunes. z
3 81 therefore believe II Is my 3
dutv 10 nv country TO love II, 10 =
\ support its Constitution TO obey
I IS laws. to respect its nag ana
y TO defend IL against all enemies
tn.atsta+atstttatfStatfsata
You see what Mr.. Page has donef
You see why this one out OF the ZOVO
contributed won the prizef Instead OF
attempting 10 say something origin
al" the author has done something Iar
more important and permanent. lie
has drawn upon the immortal docu-
ments known 10 all Of US, the Deciara-
tion OF Independence, the Constitution
of the United States the federal oath
Of allegiance, Washington's fareweh
address, LincOlns Gettysburg speech,
one Of wehster's speeches, Edward
Everett Hale's story, The Man with
out "A Country" "The Star-Spangieu
Hammer" the army Cad navy reguia.
,Ions the great seal Of the United
states. etc. He has culled from each OF
them and has made a composite, not OF
mere tine-sounding phrases, but OF the
Fundamental faith. the sacred belief In
: all that Is implied by the term "Amerl-
7 canism." II fairly reeks with Ameri-
$ canism. And yet there Is no blatant
4 spread-engle Jlngoism in this calm con-
n fesslon Of faith. II Is as dignihed as II
4. Is sincere. II is notable literary per
formance, because II Is q great patri
q otic expression. And all In 100 words
A tour de force.
The author. Il Is interesting to note
Is a descendant Of a President OF th'
United States, John Tyler, and also o.
signer Of the Declaration OF lndepen
deuce. Carter Braxton. He lives II
Friendship Heights. Maryland, neal
washington. He was born In FREQ
ertck, Maryland, the birthplace o.
Francis Scott Key. the author OF TIT
.spangled Banner" and was edu
cated IN Baltimore. This Is a curioui
coincidence In view OF the fact tina
baltimore, the birthplace Of our ma
tionai song. offered this patriotic prize
II is hardly necessary TO add tha
these personal facts were not know
until nfter the award was made.
All the manuscripts were OF cours
submitted anonymously.
Now. Mr.. Page has done his par
Mr.. Henry S. Chaplin, Of New forl
who suggested the idea, has done HI
\ II. Mr.. Matthew Page Andrews, VII
engineered II. has done his part. tn
rest of us must do our iart 10 mak
this patriotic effort efeeiuaL VIII
all due respect 10 our youthful tran
ing many ~ us were allowed 20 gro
up with the idea that "our country
meant little more than she place whei
we happen 10 live. This mistake mn
never be- aI wed 10 occur with nnoth
generation. One does not think
ones family merely as the people wi
whom one happens 20 liyel You "h
long" to your family. your family b
longs TO you. And ~ with your con
try. one reason why this nation b
been so slow 20 awaken 10 Its pc
and Its responsibilities Is, or was, o
dcplorahle lack Of national conscioI
ness. We are now. however, at I
dawn Of new era. Probably the
is not a man, woman, or child In {
United States. provided he be In !
right mind. who has not today d
fcrrnt feeling. a stronger reaction
the words, "my country" than thr
or four years ago.
II was for the furtherance of q
feeling that this project OF an Anne
can creed was originated. IL was 4
mally accepted In the name of Z
United States government by I
sneaker OF the house OF represent
tlyes on April 5 and by the Unit
States commissioner OF education.
properly disseminated the patriotic
feet should be enormous. IL might
well fer the churches TO take Il up
well as the schools. Department stor
should be willing 20 print Il In th'
advertisements as they do appeals
Liberty bonds. II should appear
theatrical programs. baseball scol
cards. magazine covers.
Meanwhile Mr.. Charles II. Falls, I
artist, is making a dlgnihed decorati
border 20 be reproduced with the ere
cor the use Of schools and In sn
:. sizes for post eardA .---x