The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1921-03-25
AMERICA FIRST.

~ AMERICA FIRST.
Meetings similar to that held < In
Madison Square Garden, New York
should be held under the auspices Of
the American Legion in every county
IN the Union. The Madison Square
Garden meeting was protest against
hyphenated Americans, those res,
cents and citizens Of this country who
abuse their privileges here by striy'
Ing always to serve. the interests Of
the nations from which they originally
came. They have a divided ale
glance and whenever there is con
hict, as there often is. they always
forget, America. ut the great New
York meeting. which came as pro-
test against the pro. German and anti
allysmeeting held some days previous
~. Gen. John Joseph Pershing, the
rdmmander.in chief of our glorious ar
niles in France, was the chief speak
en- Gen. Y Pershing did not mince
words. He is real, full.blooded
american patriot who has seen thous-
sHds of men die for their nation and
THAR dag and he has no liberation for
the hyphenates. His words should be
read BY. every true American. The
Herald conhmends to every patriot the
following extract from Pershing's ad-'
dress. ass ..,,
1--WE have no quarrel with the Amer
icans OF foreign BIRTH" he said. "We
want them to know that America is an
Inspiration, that tits something spirit
uai, goal toward which we aim. But
we do object to the foreign born citi.
zen who attempts to decide an Ameri-
gan question for foreign reason,
whether he be OF German lienage and
proposes to determine an American
policy .Because Of German prejudice. or
whether he be Irish, Italian, Hunga-
nm III Russian, who seeks for similar
REASONS to decide American questions.
/ bitterly resent the abuse Of Ameri-
can citizenship or residence for the
purpose Of political or war-like proa.
gtnda in. foreign countries"
Gin America there can be no place
for those who. claiming equal citizen.
ship with us and enjoying it's privileg-
es under our flag, yet continue their
Allegiance to another country. There
can be- mo such thing as dull citizen
slip In America. Under no guise can
this country be made the breeding
place OF intrigue We welcome all
those who honestly desire to become
American citizens and adopt America
az, their own, but we abhor the in
trisuer, who at the same time would
secreta1y plot against. our interests.
SyThere were with me in the Philip.
pines, In Mexico and in France thous-
aflds, Of foreign-born men hardly able
to speak our tongue who had in their
hearts the spirit Of Americanism and
the devotion to make the supreme sac
rifce Indeed, there was osten zeal
for all that America means that would
put to blush many older Americans
who have fallen below the obligations
Of their birthright. For all of those
we have very warm feeling of com
radeship.
1.-TWO years have passed and what Of
today Are we to forget the vows Of
yesterday? Is the wanton destruction
In France ana Belgium and on the
seas to be condoned? Shall subtle
propaganda again lift its poisonous
head to weaken our friendship? Are
those who made the supreme sacrifice
no longer to be remembered among
us?
THE answer is that the principles
for which America fought are immuta-
bic, and the allies beside whom we
fought are our friends. American
shall remain steadfast in her attitude
III Sfnst aggression and insist that out
law nations be held to full responsible
MY and pay the full penalty for their
.rnisdeeds. to the end that in the fu-
/. tire all nations may know the cost of
such misdeeds against civilization