Arizona republican., 1922-06-15
AMERICA FIRST DAY
.DES|CNTED BY GOV.
CAMPBELL As JULY Z

In proclamation issued yesterday
designating Sunday. July 2 as Amer
lea First day and urging that the
fourth of July be marked by public
exercises for the welcoming into
citizenship of foreign born residents
of the state, Governor Thomas E.
Campbell declares that there is room
in this country for but one govern
ment and that invisible Empires"
meeting in secrecy to impose judg-
ment and inflict punishment have no
place in free America. The proclama-
tion is as follows:
Two very commendable move
ments having as their object further
ance of American ideals deserve
hearty support of all our citizens.
One is that of making the anniver-
sary of our independence something
more than noisy holiday, through
holding civic courts of honor for the
welcoming into citizenship of our
foreign born residents who have sig
nified their desire for adoption by
this great republic. and for the re-
dedication of all our citizenry,
whether native or foreign born to
the ideals upon which this nation was
founded. The other. similar in it's
conception. would set aside the sun
day preceding the Fourth of July for
the presentation and discussion in
the churches of our land of the gospel
of true Americanism and those fun
damental truths which are essential
to the larger development of the ma
ton.
Admirable as these suggestions
are, observance Of them will be hol-
low mockery if we permit ourselves
to ignore the great truths of liberty
and justice. This nation was founded
by those who sought on a new-found
continent shelter and refuge from the
religious hatreds, tyranies and per-
secutions of the old world. They
came here in order that they might
worship as conscience dictated, un-
molested by the intolerance of bigots.
and on the bedrock of law and order
laid the cornerstones of equality of
opportunity and religious liberty.
Into the have thus established here
flocked the oppressed of many lands,
finding under the Stars and Stripes
sactuary denied them by the autoc-
racies of Europe.
ut is just 145 years today since
the American flag was born. and in
that period men of every faith have
fought, suffered and died for the fun
damental ideals for which it stands.
Every fold of this symbol of our lib
critics is consecrated with the blood
Of patriots. whe. regardless of per-
sonal religious beliefs have sacrificed
their lives in order that we may live
in peace, security and contentment.
and may enjoy the blessings of liber-
ty under law.
In the light of history it ill-be-
hooves any group or organization to
set itself above the law, or to assume
the prerogatives of the duly elected
representatives of the people. Resort
to the ballot is open to all, and if
there is laxity in the enforcement of
the law. the remedy is to be found
in the recall of any who have demon
strated their unfitness and not
through the illegal activities Of self
constituted guardians of public
morals. There is room in this coun-
try for but one government. that of
the people. Invisible empires" meet
ing in secrecy to impose judgment
and inflict punishment have no place
in free America. Our government
guarantees equal rights to all, and
violation of this sacred prerogative
calls for prompt and vigorous action.
The American spirit of tolerance
and fair dealing will not approve.
however, of any effort to persecute
those, who under the influence of
misrepresentations. or misguided zeal.
have become affiliated with any such
movement, withdrawing when its true
oh ,ffot tac a.,f
it condone the efforts of those mar
now minded individuals who are
seizing upon any opportunity to To-
ment religious strife.
"As the anniversary of our birth
as a nation approaches, let US in all
humility. quicken and refresh our
minds with the great truths of liberty
and justice. re-affirning our undying
loyalty and allegiance to the sacred
ideals upon which this government is
founded. and reconsecreting our lives
to its service.
Now. therefore. 7. Thomas e
Campbell. governor of the state of
Arizona do hereby designate Sun
day, the second day of July of the
present year as America First day,
and do request all citizens of the
state to observe this day in an ap-
propriate manner by displaying
American flags. would also request
that this day be observed in the
churches and Sunday schools with
the singing of patriotic hymns and
the discussion of American ideals
by the clergy.
Il do further urgently request that
the Fourth of July, Independence
day, be marked by public exercises
for the welcoming into citizenship
of foreign born residents of the
state. to encourage. aid and instruct
them in their responsibilities under
the Stars and Stripes. and by a re
dedication of each and every citizen
to the fundamental ideals upon which
this government is established
'1n witness whereof. | have here
unto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the state to be affixed
Done at Phoenix, the capital, this
14th day of June 1922