Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-18
WHAT 1T MEANS TO
BE AN AMERICAN

Almost any. American would be a
better American IL he took time oc-
casionally to think about how fortu-
nate he is to live in the greatest
In the hustle and worry of every
day life it's easy to forget great
blessings that are enjoyed as a mat
ter of course and, to magnify things
that seem to be flaws in Uncle Sans
makeup.
No American could be more forci-
bly,, reminded of the privileges and
the Stars and Stripes than by watch
ing group of aliens become natur-
allied.
You can't expert to help run this
government If you don't know any
thing about the government" Judge
States court at Atlanta, has often
told disappointed candidate who
had failed to inform himself con-
| corning the fundamental principles
Rof Amerieanism.
And here's what Federal Judge
Garvin, of New York. told batch
of newly-made Americans recently:
'By the solemn oath Of allegiance
which you have taken each one of
you has become a citizen Of the Unit
| ed States, and in the name of your
| new country l bid you hearty well
come. This Is day which you will
| remember so long as you live, for
you have not only acquired benefits,
| privileges and opportunities such as
| only Americans may enjoy, but you
| have assumed new responsibilities
which you can never put aside.
AS you take up your citizenship
resolve that you will be worthy OF
this precious gift. Bear in mind to-
| day, tomorrow and always that the
| first duty a citizen owes to his gov
| eminent is that of loyalty in thought,
| word and deed. You must be pre-
| pared to give freely, completely, of
your money, your service. your life
| need.
Begin at once to take an active,
intelligent part in political life. Not
| every man Is fitted by education.
| training, experience or inclination to
| hold public office, but we all are a
part of the government, selecting, to
a great extent by the ballot. those
| who make and administer our laws,
and If we would have a government
| that Is based upon liberty, justice
| and equality of opportunity, we must
select for Office those who will make
| these possible, and who will dis
! charge their public duties honestly
! fearlessly and intelligently, with the
realization that they have been chos-
| en- to discharge solemn trust.
And, finally, most of you have or
| will have children. Upon the man
| ner in which our children are trained
| depends the future of the republic.
| AS you are patriotic and loyal, you
| will help to leave to those coming
| after us a country that will protect
| them and assure to them the bless
| ings that go with liberty. If this
! America, of which we are so right
| fully proud and in which we believe
with all our hearts, is worth what
| it has cost, let US leave when we go
| citi8ens-our children-who will
| SAFEGUARD and defend these institu-
tons for the generations that are to
| come.
Il hope that each one of you will
have long life, much happiness and
abundant opportunity for useful
service as loyal American citizen.
Recently a small farmer in Hon
| duras called at city drug store
and asked for some poison with
which to kill wild animals that were
destroying his poultry. On being in
| formed that no poison could be sold
| without a personal recommendation
from the mayor of the town, he
went in search of that functionary
and soon returned with the follow
| ing note:
please give Mr.. W little poi
son, as he is an honest man."
The note was signed by the may
| or.