New Britain herald., 1922-01-03
BIT or AMERlCASIsM.

the flag and the wonderful ppppfthH-
tiles offered by life in this country
are passed, The intense feeling on
this point. however, has not dlsap-
peared; only its manner OF express
sion has changed Just as the manner
Of defending alleged criminals IN court
has altered from the old-ume spec
tacular display OF emotion to more
sane and convincing method of pre-
senting the facts which favor the ac-
cused
Because of this fact, namely the
infrequency Of the adoption OF elo-
ouence and rhetoric to laud the ira
ditions of our country-those opporr
tunities, American opportunities OF
the past the present and OF the
future--they are sometimes forgotten.
They have been taken for granted 50
long that they seem part OF every
mans birthright not to be wondered
at- not to be boosted Of. 1t is We'll,
nevertheless, every little while, to stop
and think bit about this land of ours
and the chances that come, the equal
chances, to boys and men VINO form
a determination to make the most OF
them.
There is socialistic strain in most
people. Instances of inequality, I'M
fairness, lack of equity, misunder-
standing. prejudice are seen so often
and stand out SO clearly that they arc
ant at times to overshadow the vastly
greater number of fine, splendid char
scteristics of the national life. When
cited by some habitual critic Of every
thing American they sometimes hnd
the loyal American speeches. be
cause of the injustice of the one case
mentioned.
To combat these constantly recur
ring sitEations-to strengthen that
sometimes weakened faith in Ameri-
can institutions and traditions, is not
American When disloyaL un-Amer-
lean statements are made, Waen par
ticular instances OF injustice or un-
fairness are cited. the true patriot Will
have little trouble in meeting such
criticisms with such an avalanche of
evidence on the side of the American
fairness. American equality and,
above ALL American habit of giving
every boy, every man a chance to
reach a position of power and IN
fluence in the land, limited only by the
ability and determination that IS
within the man himself, that the
cynic, the skeptic must needs turn
away in humiliation.
The sight of the boys who deliver
The Herald as they enjoyed their an
nual New Years dinner yesterday,
emphasized this thought. quarter
of a century ago boys doing the same
work were similarly entertained.
gathered together to enjoy the same
sort of dinner AS the meal has beet
practically the same. so have the boys
rcserlblcd each other in nature, char
acteristics. ambitions and desires.
They We're practically beginning life,
business life in this way-delivering
this newspaper day after day. in
storm and sunshine, in warm wealth
er and in the cold of winter.
Many of the boys who once carried
papers are today honored, respected,
wel-to-do and even rich men; many
or them occupy positions OF trust and
responsibility. They began with equal
chances. The best delivery boy usual
ful. the most respected man. More
over many Of those lads have out
stripped boy Of their own age. in the
matter OF achievement, who had what
the world calls better advantages
These facts should inspire not only
the boys who were the guests of The
Herald yesterday to start now ON
careers OF promise which viii bring
them to positions Of honor and trust,
but they should inspire also those
adults who sometimes doubt the
splendor that lies in the mere fact OF
reing d citizen of the United states Of
America.