The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-05-26

ing a passing thought Of gratitude to
the heroic dead, and turn TO the para
mount business of looking after No. II
Let somebody else struggle for the
betterment Of the government.
If these be the thoughts of any citi-
zen, it is high time that he should ask
himself il he is really an American. Is
he not merely posing as an American
and obtaining the benefits, when he Is,
in fact, a Stacker and q fugitive from
honor?
Even in the midst of the grossest
selfish materialism there is a quality
which might be called the instinct of
preparedness. The citizen who con-
fines all his idealism to promoting his
own interest is still exercising a virtue
in spite of himself-she virtue of
thrifty provision for the future. Place
him upon the meanes and most despi-
cable plane, and yet 'he will exercise
some degree of this instructive virtue.
Thus IT is a certainty that he can
exercise it in behalf of his country, no
matter what his morals or character
may be.
Is 1t not the primary duty of a man
to assist his country to survive? He
is merely saving himself when he helps
to save his country. Despite recent
inventions, there is no satisfactory
substitute for a nation. The stronger
and safer the nation, the more for
tunate the citizen. No foreigner will
make q citizens nation strong or keep
1t so. He must do 1t himself, with or
without the foreigners consent.
The United States is stronger than
ever In It's marvellous history, thanks
to the glorious dead, and little thanks
to the living. If it is to remain strong,
in proportion to other nations and in
accordance with the aspirations OF the
Americans who gave their lives for 1t,
the living must do their share of the
work In their day and generation. No
slackersl The dead Americans, I'm
mortals though they be, cannot attend
to the present and the future. They
can give their example, but 1t will not
save America unless the living take
the example.
Next to the never-failing fire that
every American should keep burning
In his secret heart, signifying to him
alone that he is dedicated when neces-
sary to give himself to his country, 1t
seems that his most important duty
is to take pains to see that the coun-
try Is made secure against possible
destruction. His first duty, In short,
is to make sure of himself; his next
TO make sure of his country.
Is the navy we'll and strong? If not,
ii is the duty Of every citizen to insist
that 1t be made capable of defending
the Stars and Stripes against any en-.
envy, anywhere in the world.
Is the army well organized and able
TO prepare on short notice, on any
scale necessary, to defeat any enemy
that might assail the United Statesi
If not, Ii is the duty of every citizen
to insist that the nation be properly
defended.
The heroes OF America did not fight
TO the death to preserve the Stars and
Stripes for a few hours, days, weeks.
months or years. These fighting pa
triots went t. eternity believing that
the Stars and Stripes would fly from
their fall until they should rise again.
There Is conclusive proof that AL.
mighty God is willing that this nation
shall endure for all time. IL Americans
will devote themselves to making II
pure and strong. But the number OF
slackers must not be too large.-Wash
ington Post.