Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-11-18
When Patriots SanQ
Frederick R. Barkhurst in St. Louis Times

American audiences are proverbially fair
with orators-outside Of Oklahoma. The love
OF free speech includes general Willingness
to listen to the arguments Of the other side. II
does not, however. make the listeners forgetful
of their love for and allegiance to the cause OF
truth.
That was why, when somebody started sing
ing The StarSpangled Banner" at soviet
meeting in Yonkers, N. Y, Sunday night. the
audience joined in so heartily that Rose Pastor
Stokes was compelled to cease her attacks upon
the American republic and retire to the less
patriotic seclusion Of her own hotel room.
What splendid method of answering a
wild revolutionist's. attacks upon free govern
eggs nor tar and feathers or clubs. No resort
to violence Of any sort. All that was required
for driving the un-American speaker from the
platform was the voicing of that fine old hymn
which Francis S. Key penned when American
liberty hung in the balance, and which has been
the inspiration of lovers of freedom ever since.
"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early
lght?"
How beautifully the words and melody must
have sounded to that audience, breaking in upon
a strident-toned TRADE against the country to
which the song gave praise! 1t is easy to under
the dramatic turn in incident and sentiment.
ooh, where is that band who so vauntingly
swore
*'' A home and ireside they'd leave US
no more?"
Boldly, accusingly the strains ring out,
scores Of voices joining with every word in
swelling the beautiful melody-in adding their
personal pledge of patriotism to the growing
paean of praise of the republic. Little wonder
the invective of disloyasts died in their throats
disclose to supposedly sympathetic listeners re-
main locked in the perfidious hearts of un-
worthy holders of the priceless privilege of
American citizenship.
"Then conquer we must when cause it is
just, ... =
And this be our motto, in God is our trust
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph
Ger the land of the free and the home of
the brave"
Listen to the sweeping climax of the great
song! A multitude has taken it up. The pas
sion of American patriots-that love of country
which filled the souls of men who died at Bunk
err Hill, at Valley Forge and at Yorktown the
joy and pride of serving the nation which called
the flower Of the manhood of the republic to
arms in 1Sl2 and in lS4S and in 1861 and in
1898 and in 1917; the wonderful spirit of citizen
ship which brings instantly forward the Ameri-
can of mind and heart to cope with any crisis
in which his governments integrity and honor
are at stake-s pouring itself forth in the hymn!
1t is reverent homage to earth's noblest nation;
it is stern warning to any who would seek to
attack the homeland OF great people.
No wonder they stink away-those political
malefactors who thought to embtter their fell
lows against peace and order and justice and
right! The sins of anarchy-hatred of honest
rule, unconcern for the sacredness of home, dis
respect for every law Of God and conscience-led
men cannot stand against the truths of lib
erty -begotten sentiment. A free people sing
their national hymn with joy and pride and as
the trumphal music floats Heavenward would
be destroyers Of the institutions OF our free
government seek the outer darkness and the
unsavory isolation which eventually must be
the refuge of traitors in all times.