Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1920-01-02
AMERICANISM VS.. CAMOUFLAGE
(By John Bush.)

vase if you will,
But the scent of the rose will hang
round it still.
We Americans of today read many
articles relative to the spirit Of Amer
icanism which from a literary view
are commendable, but as for being
explicit on the fundamentals are de-
ficient. Particular stress is being
placed upon Americas independence,
freedom and democracy, but it is in
teresting to note that the manner IN
which these cherished effects were OBJ
tanned and what they really are is
never alluded to or explained. With
flattering and impressive phrases we
are reminded that we are living IN
this land of the noble, the brave and
the free, under the protection OF the
stars and stripes and that democracy
rules supreme. But seldom, if ever,
do we see the declaration Of indie
pendence or the constitution quoted
and democracy defined While inf1u-
entail periodicals are devoting much
space in an effort to impress the
greatness of our nation on our minds
it is obvious that the principles upon
which it was founded and the men
who devised them and their worthy
advice is fading into oblivion. The
truthfulness of this contention is verl-
fed by comparison of facts.
Actions speak louder than words.
This is an old and true adage which
fittingly applies to the skilled camou-
fleurs who are playing the part of
the wolf in sleeps clothing by ad-
vocating autocracy under the cloak
Of so-called Americanism.
Teh American press, controlled by
foreign capital, is to be commended
for the manner in which they pro-
mulgated the world war propaganda.
Yet in the opinion of the writer they
made one gross error, and that is
relative to the principles for which
the nations of Europe were tlghtIng
which were diametrical to those ad-
vanced shortly after the election OF
President Wilson. They should tell
the people just when the change was
made from a war for commercial and
military advancement to war for
democracy.
The American people are not un-
aware of this fact, neither have they
entirely forgotten the principles Of
Americanism as defined by Thomas
Jefferson nor the manner Ia winch
the freedom of this great and grand
nation was obtained. History re-
veals, though it is apparent the press
is endeavoring to evade the fact, that
all of these cherished ideals were OBJ
tanned by the combined wisdom and
courage of George Washington, sup
ported by the cooperation and fight
ing spirit of his German and Irish
soldiers, who fought for democracy
though unpaid and poorly clothed
and fed.
The American people were cajoled
and wheedled into the part they took
in the last European royal family af-
fair, styled war for democracy, and
those who objected to war, even
though we did elect president be-
cause "he kept us out Of war;" were
denounced as pro-German and un-
American TO those imbued with
this idea the writer would advise
careful study of the Declaration of
independence, the Constitution of the
United States, the Monroe Doctrine
and Washington's farewell speech to
Congress. 1t will then be apparent
to them that if all the things claimed
by the press to be un-American are
rightly classed, then Thomas Jeffer-
son, John Quincy Adams, James Mon
roe, George Washington and all the
other noble and courageous men who
established this great nation and un-
furled the stars and stripes for ever
were not American.