Evening star., 1918-02-16
,Americanize Washingtonians Now

The personnel of the joint citizens
committee and Of the carefully-consid'
cred subcommittee which constitute the
campaign machinery of the movement
show tha. Washington is very solidly and
heartily enlisted for this peaceful war-
business Washington, industrial Wash
ington, otice-holding Washington. pro-
fessional Washington, ta1-paying, arms
bearing Washington.
This showing of organization already
effected carries an urgent invitation and
an inspiring call to duty to every Wash
ingtonian who has not already volun-
teered in the spirit of municipal patri-
otIsm to render service to the cause. The
list is OPEN Every one is welcome. This
demonstration of the degree in which all
sorts and conditions of Washingtonians
are enlisted in this campaign answers
deeisvely the first question which Con-
gress reasonably asks in respect to pro-
posed local legislation: Does Washing
ton really want it,"
What Washington seeks in its pro-
posed constitutional amendment for ma
tional representation, and how and Why
it seeks such representation, are clearly
get forth in today's reprint of brief and
pointed circulars issued by the joint
committee; of the Washingtonian Ameri-
canization cateehism; and of the more
elaborate presentations of the District 8
case.
Every Washingtonian and every leg
islator for Washington should study this
constitutional amendment and the dis
eussions of it from many different an
giles which The Star presents today.
Since hundreds of us Washingtoniahs
do not yet understand thoroughly what
this amendment means, and even now
labor under the delusion that it affects
the present form of municipal govern
iment and disturbs control Of the capital
By Congress we cannot be surprised if
enr legislators. patriotically and proper
:. y absorbed in war legislation, should
not in many instances yet appreciate ac-
curately what We seek and why We
seek it.
!. Our campaign is primarily one of in
formation. Every Washingtonian should
first thoroughly inform himself and then
he should extend his information to his
friends in Congress
Whenever the fundamental vital
facts on which our appeal for political
equity is based have been impressed
wildly upon the consciousness of fair
minded Americans, favorable response
has been immediate and enthusiastic.
: Our campaign is so strongly supported
BY public opinion and is SO rooted in
equity that final victory, overcoming
difficulties and delays, is sure to result.
The question is sometimes raised
whether in the wartime our appeal for
political equity is opportune. Wash
angton's contention, elaborated elsewhere
b The Star, is that the moment is pc
enliarly opportune for tho consideration
ct this legislation, as natural and even
essential part of wise national war-pre-
paredness.
To Americanize the political aliens of
the District of Columbia is to do jus
tiee, to relieve the nation from reproach
and shame, and to reflect the very
thought and spirit of the times, which
demand purer, higher, stronger Amer
3eanism from both nation and individ-
nal citizen.
As in this national crisis every Ameri-
sem experiences a new birth of devoted
1ve of country, impelling him irresisti-
by to every sacrifice necessary to her
defense, SO the nation herself thrills
with deeper and proude1 affection 70,
.the sons whom she rallies to her PRO
lection and who 80 devotedy respond.
= These times thus develop q vitalized
Ind intensified devotion to the nation
by individuals; and a reciprocal proud
and affectionate consideration, vastly
augmented, on the part of the nation
toward the individual
y Is ones Americanisn feeble and fab
byl Now is the time to electrify it and
to rush through its veins an invigorat.
ing and inspiring current Of American
good red blood.
Is the nation on the other hand dis
-Heditably Inconsistent in it's American
mf q it inennsiderates end neglectfn
of TIE American rights ana privileges o,
. my whom it summons to sacrifice prop
Mty and Hfe in its defensei
=, . II %. tis Is the very time for q 10
/ dress Of grievsnees, not wrung from ma
tionsl necessity by the blackmaiGng de
mand Of tho aggrieved as a condition 0.
patriotic support, but voluntarily ant
gladly given by the nation to the indi
vidud a. . natural result Of the exalse.
spirit of true Americanism, which is nov
manifest in the nation collectively a
well a. in Americans individually.
!, Coasistsaey and justice; nationa
prids s1d sslf-respect; the VIII to ef
1see . shansful blot from the nationa
esrsAeAesa; ths spiEit - tzss Anesi
ksaisn M xsshtssss hatssd q ssteezs
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