The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1919-10-03
PATRIOT PRIMER
FOR FOREIGNERS
Simple Story OF Our Nation Told
by Catholic Council 10
New Citizens.

WashIngton.-As ammunition in its
nationwide fight for civic education OF
the nine million foreign-born and Hit
crate people in the United States, the
National Catholic War Council has IS
sued a patriotic primer, entitled "The
Fundamentals OF Citizenship" from ITS
headquarters In this city. In less than
FIFTY pages OF short simple sentences
the history and idea Jf American de
mocracy as well as the needs and
rights OF its people are outlined in this
little book, with brief explana lions of
such subjects as public education.
health, legislation, representation. the
courts. foreign relations, fraud proven.
ton. insurance, taxation, naturaliza-
ton and duties OF citizenship. Trans
lated into foreign languages or quoted
by thousands OF the trained native
speakers who are enlisted In TINS civic
campaign, the contents Of this hand
book on American democracy will be
placed before every man. woman and
child In this country whose civic ignO-
rance might make them easy prey for
Bolsheviki propaganda. II includes
copies of the Declaration OF Independ-
enee and the Constitution OF the Unit
ed States.
Declaring that "our country Is the
land Of freedom and opportunity" and
hat a knowledge OF its Constitution Is
necessary to the American-born as well
rs TO the foreign-bOrn IF they, too, are
to take up the task OF faithful citizen
ship" this primer OF patriotism de-
votes itself at the outset to 'the gen.
eral work Of reconstruction In citizen
ship" 1t explains that "the citizen
who does not possess some knowledge
OF our democratic institutions may
easily become the prey Of the dema,
gogue or Of persons who are anxious
10 advance their own interests at the
expehse of the people"
democracy requires Of each man
great respect for order. more unself-
ish consideration Of every mans rights
and advantage" asserts this new pam
the People -Each citizen is respon-
sible for the conduct Of the Govern
ment. He is part Of the state. not
merely subject Of IT, The Govern
ment is his. III IL Is bad II is his fault.
He has put power into the wrong
hands,
"The first duty OF every citizen is TO
vote az every election" II Is declared
in a chapter on ''The Citzen's Part"
He has no right 10 shirk this simple
duty. No one has a right TO complain
about how things are done II ne fails
to vote. II Is not fair play TO the rest
OF the people when any man does not
help TO do the work which benefits all
Every citizen should study public
questions enough 10 vote wisely, and
he should take the time, above all
things, 10 learn about the men wfro are
70 be voted for as public officers He
should follow only those leaders who
are true TO the peoples interest"
After sketching the rise of democ-
racy in this country and the part taken
in IL by various foreign leaders the
pamphlet says: -The European strug-
gle for liberty Is marked oftentimes
by terrible injustice. by dlsrespect for
law. by public disorder and public dis
aster. In Its history Injustice is often
revenged bys injustice. not overcome
by equality OF opportunity. We see a
noteworthy and terrible example OF
liberty-in Russia today.
All these attempts are endeavors after \
liberty and In that measure are praise
worthy. When they grow 10 lawless-
ness they must be condemned by every
lover OF democracy"
Millions OF copies Of this patriotic
primer will be printed and distributed
not only In the channels Of this civic
education campaign OF the National
War Council, but through ev-
cry civic agency in the work OF which
II would prove OF value.