New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
Pershing Lays
Unrest i'm i.
To Ignorance
General and Colby Speak
on Patriotism at the
Closing Exercises of Low
atty Week in City Hall
Education Called Need
Warming Issued Against the
Partisan Conflict That
Affects Good of Nation

General John j. Pershing and Balm
bridge Colby. newly designated Secre-
tary Of State, were guests of honor
and speakers last night at the final
exercises of Loyalty Week" in the
Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall. held
under the auspices of the Mayors
Committee of Women. 1t was Mr.
Colby's first public appearance since
President Wilson appointed him a
member of his Cabinet The front of
the City Hall was decorated with
flags and illuminated for the occa-
sion. The aldermanic chamber was
dressed in the national colors and Boy
Scouts acted as ushers. Representa-
tives of foreign-born citizens from
several countries were present.
Mrs. W. r. Hearst, chairman of the
Mayors Loyalty Week Celebration
Committee, opened the meeting as tenn
porary chairman and introduced Mag
issrate Jean Norris as permanent
chairman. The latter spoke on "Ameri-
canization,' and paid tribute to
Mayor Hylan and the work done so far
L.
and General Pershing both arrived dur
ing the meeting. the latter being ac-
companied by Acting Mayor La
Guardia, who made g brief address in
presenting the general.
Pershing on Patriotism
81 was asked to come here to be
present at the final meeting of New
York's loyalty drive" said General
Pcrshing, "and did not expect to par
ticipate in the ceremonies. 1t would
be q very poor American who could
not say something about Americanism
But it isn't enough to say we are
Americans, We've got to demonstrate
it-day by day to live it. Patriotism
is not garment We can put on one
day and take off the next. Patriotism
is 6 spirit OF unselfshness which means
doing things for others, helping our
new citizens TO become real Americans.
Il have been travelling over the coun-
try during the last three months in
specting our army canronments and
camps. and have had the opportunity OF
seeing a great many people found
great many real Americans. I believe
to-day we are clean al heart, patriotic
TO the core, but that we have allowed
certain groups OF the ignorant to grow
up among US, IN which radicalism
thrives and becomes a menace. We
must educate or eradicate these groups.
The greatest danger in America to- day.
in my mind, is through Ignorance of
the people, both native born and
alien, and would insist that people in
either OF these groups should be re-
CURED TO learn the English language
within given period OF time. | be-
lieve We Can relieve certain conditions
rr-c+ +,-l 4 i
in Americanism."
Cheers for Colby
General Pershing received an en-
thusiaStlc welcome as he entered the
chamber, the large audience standing
and cheering while the Boy Scout band
played Hail to the Chief" His speech
was generously applauded: Mr. Colby
was also cheered He spoke on loyalty
and Americanism. He described the
kind Of loyalty essential to good citi-
zensnlp, loyalty TO country, the flag,
American institutions and the loyalty
TO self necessary TO make the best type
Of citizen. He also said:
Loyalty to America means loyalty
TO her chosen servants from Pres dent
down. We must stifle the voice of
hatred and faction. We must realize
that there is not man in America who
uotS iiol HO4O ONCE as 8 result OF the
Tree choice Of our citizens. 1t is
high patriotic duty that we should sup
port and sustain the men who have
been placed in positions of difficulty,
burden, esponsibility and even danger
as the result our suffrages.
THAT does not mean that we must
forget just criticism or refrain from
opposition to policies which are debata-
bic, or which do not command our ap-
proval. An intelligent and conscien-
tlous opposition is part Of loyalty to
country but we must not, if we are
loyal, seek to disperse our energies
IN partisan warfare that is waged
without regard to consequences to the
well being, security or honor Of the
country"