Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-06-23
"AMERICA FIRST" DAY
CELEBRATIONS TO
BE HELD IN MANY
COMMUNITIES
IN w. VA.

Charleston, June 16.-Reports are
coming to the Governors office daily
from communities in various sections
of West Virginia assuring him that
AMERICA FIRST DAY, July 8, will
be fittingly celebrated in compliance
with his recent proclamation.
In commenting upon this matter
today, Governor Morgan said: at is
gratifying indeed to note the spirit in
which mayors in various municipalit-
les in West Virginia have fallen in
line with this request and have APP
pointed committees to arrange public
| meetings of patriotic nature for
| America First Day.
'The ministers in West Virginia,
J body Of noble, patriotic men, have ac-
cepted the idea and are willing. to
either discuss American Ideals in
their churches or invite some promin-
ent persons to fill their pulpits on
that day. l was very pleased to hear
that the Ministerial Association of
Charleston has unanimously approved
| my Proclamation, and agreed to OBJ
serve the day in fitting manner.
Welcome New Citizens
"A suggestion was made recently
in one of our leading magazines that
the Fourth of July be used to welcome
new citizens, both native and foreign
born May l suggest that it might
be well to invite new citizens in every
i community in our State to participate
in observing America First Day Sun
day, July 3rd. A place might be re-
served for these young men and wo-
men in the church auditoriums. They
will appreciate this signal honor
at is time for us in this country to
emphasize the point that to be an
American Citizen is a privilege and it
carries with it certain duties and res
possibilities. This fact should be
impressed upon every person when he
becomes a citizen regardless of whet-
her he is of foreign birth or a native
American.
| Patriotism Necessary
| My purpose in setting aside Sun
day, July 3rd, and calling it america
First" Day, was to bring to the at
tention of our citizens the fact that
it is just as necessary to be patriotic
in time of peace as it is to be enthus-
ed with love of country in time of
war. We have enemies in this coun-
try at the present time who are as
dangerous to the welfare and prosper
| ity of the United States, if unhinder-
ed in their nefarious work, as any en-
emies We have ever had in war.
! loyal Americans must stand for
american deals, and for the best
| interests of our nation This does
not mean that they should express
patriotism by loud declarations or
noisy rhetoric, or in boasting of our
grandeur of parading before other
nations our conceited notions. The
real American stands four square on
fundamentals such as freedom of
speech and press, religious liberty,
property rights and respect for old
age and womanhood.
4 anticipate that AMERICA FIRST
DAY will be fittingly observed in
every loyal Americn living within
matter. 1t is our duty to strive to
| the State to assist in this important
keep alive he patriotic fervor that
was stirring into action during the
recent war.
81 hope that the interest will be so
pronounced and the results attained
so worthwhile that the Sunday pre-
ceding independence Day will be OBJ
served in West Virginia annually as
'AMERICA FIRST DAY"