The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-04-29

/ 'NNV ~ SfA iVuciN
While attending the movies" at
the Post Theatre last night, saw
a theatrical production out OF the
ordinary. II was not the usual
feature Of William S. Hart in
branding Broadway" not a conf
cal feature of Fatty Arbuckles, or
Mack Sennett; not Mary Pickford,
in "Daddy-Long-Legs;" neither of
adventures in business or love. This
particular feature dealt death
blow to Bolshevism and filled every
spectator with The nobility of a
great national conception; il fea-
tured the friction and self-interest
Of both capital and labor: and in
conclusion, il featured the capital
list and laborer finally working to-
gether for the common good. II
made an impression upon me that
got me TO thinking about govern
ments and is something that can
not forget.
The thing that alarms me and
arouses my fighting instinct TO a
climax is the disloyalty, unthank-
fulness, and get-rich-quick spirit
Of American citizens. particularly
those Of foreign birth in general.
I wish il were possible for every
natural-born Americal citizen who
wishes his country we'll 10 live
abroad and learn what IL means 10
be an American ! When I think OF
the awful conditions in Europe, es-
pecially during the recent upheaval;
when I think Of the lack Of system
and functioning in European indus
trial. social and religious enter
prises that have existed. even since
the Stone age; when I think OF how
the common people in European
countries have been held under the
thumbs of a few ambitious aristo-
Gratis and "grouches" in humiliat-
ing silence: and when I think OF
other prevalent conditions on other
continents-too numerous 10 men,
ton in the course OF a life time.
| often murmer TO myself, Good Old
America" Oh. fabulous. incredible,
comfortable, sanitary, functioning.
modern. get-there America Al
though have never set foot on
European soil, I can imagine that
10 those who have not lived consecu-
tive months "over there" during the
recent upheaval this feeling OF
tenderness and warmth toward
America may seem Incompetent
sible. The stay-at-homes during the
war, those whom duty OF pressing
Importance kept over here close 10
the seamy side OF our government.
are apt TO see only its defects and
shortcomings. Then just |
think OF some people with a pea
brain, now grumbling and !
growing about burdensome taxes |
10 meet war expenditures ! just |
think Of how some deviated from
the principles for which thous-
ands made the supreme sacrifice
over there" Think of what dark
and sinister prophecies a small, ma
lignant group OF "hell-cats" made
when this country should go down
in bloody revolution. With hands
appraised, speaking in broken Eng
fish that was scarcely recognizable,
how they derided, scorned and con-
demned any person who timidly
arose 10 suggest that such and such
a condition might be ameliorated by
law. If only they would work to-
gether 10 effect the change
The point is this: There must
be perpetuated in every American
citizen more loyalty, generosity,
consideration OF others, and the
coming together Of every atom OF
American patriotism that can be
summoned for the common good OF
all concerned We owe IL 20 the
country that gave us liberty and in
dependence You say how can we
do IL? There is no set rule or for
mulae 10 the problem, as I see IL.
or course, this is now a period OF
uncertainty, but nothing in that
argument. ! believe IL every Euro
pean and Asiatic government would
do its share in creating ideas OF
freedom, decency, sanitation and
education among their masses.
America wouldn't have such a big
job on her hands. We could then
find time 10 be more refined and pic
turesque As IL is, we must re-edu-
cate them and mould them from the
ground up.
Three cheers for America again
She's an island Of optimism in an
ocean OF despair. Military life has
given me nothing greater than
lesson in appreciation and optimism.
So for as ! am concerned, shall
always cherish the immortal words
~ D...l.,u.