Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1920-03-24
ANIERICANISM


Following is the prize essay
written by Miss Winifred Watson,
who is spending the winter in San
Francisco, and who received the
first prize over 700 contestants:
Americanism means. to me, a
national, open door, with all that
that implies of unlocked Opportu-
mites, well-ventilated opinions and
wholehearted hospitality for all
and sundry. Our pioneer nation,
strong in those pioneer virtues,
the stout heart, the Gtalwart arm,
and the glad hand, at the outset
scorned and scrapped the feudal
defenses of intolerance, tradition,
convention and caste; cleared her
land of the black forests of ig-
norance and prejudice; carved on
the Intel of her log cabin in that
clearing, Here every man may
be free; and here, ever shIce,
has kept open house in this, the
Liberty Hall of the World.
Americanism means an open
mind and a spirit of fair play.
These are the characteristics
which have made America the un-
failing haven for New Ideas. Her
only question concerning a new
diea is, "Will it work." This pc
rennial willingness to try a thing
out, to give it a chance, has made
our country the great test labora-
tory in social and political eX-
pertinent. Here those three basic
elements of universal human as
piration, Liberty, Equality, Fra
ternity, have been converted into
the most nearly satisfactory me-
dium of government thus far dis
covered. Yet this medium is not
the standardized product of some
unalterable formula fixed by law.
Under the supervision of the law
il Is undergoing continual, sub
tie notifications in response to
the suggestions of Public Opinion.
It is capable of sensitive reactions
to suit the changing needs OF the
passing hour; it is always in the
process of becoming.
Americanism means an open
heart, instinct with the spirit OF
brotherhood. 1t knows that fra
ternity is the soul of Democracy.
II remembers that it was this SEN
timent OF fraternity that made
Abraham Lincoln, despite his lack
of most of our material adyanta-
ges, our greatest and most typl-
cal American. 1t realizes that,
without the restraining influence
of fraternity, liberty of action
readily degenerates into license,
and equality of opportunity into
selfish opportunism. True Amer
icanism feels big-brotherly re-
sponsibility for the weak and the
ignorant. While too sane not to
recognize that, even in a democ-
racy, there must be diversity OF
gifts, it recognizes, too, that great
possessions, whether of wealth,
brains, or influence, exact a heavy
property tax in humble service. 1t
believes in its own destiny as a
lately released, wonder working
spirit Of cooperation and fellow
ship, potent enough to have al
ready wrought the twin miracles
OF merging many states into one
state and many nationalities into
one nation.
Americanism means an open
hand, that synonym for generos-
ity. 1t is the spirit of sharing
and service. It is spiritual
thing, a winged Ariel, not to be
confined in time or place; it has
a mission to fulfill throughout the
world. Like Shakespeare's airy
spirit. our Ariel, Americanism, is
pleading today with those who
would cage it here in the land Of
its birth.
"give me leave
And I will through and thrOIsh
Cleanse the foul body OF the in
fected world
II they will patiently receive my
,,adioinp -