Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1922-07-05
American
Principles
and Ideals

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It has been said that patriotism
must be an intelligent patriotism
there is much that passes for 1t that
is not intelligent, and some that falls
within DR.. Jchnson's definition: Spa
triotism Is the last refuge Of a scoun-
drel." Nothing is easier than to be
Of going with the crowd. But more
than this is required-disinteres
service, full discharge Of the duties
Of citizenship (even to the honest pay
ing Of taxes), independence and cour-
age in the exercise of the right to vote,
obedience to the law, etc. There must
be service by outward act and deed.
and not mere lip service. asserts a
writer in the Indianapolis News. But
service implies knowledge. The apostle
said:
"For the which cause also suffer
these things: nevertheless / am not
ashamed: for know whom have be-
ieved, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have com
mitted unto him against that day."
ST know whom I have believed"
One who believes in America must
know America, and the more one
knows her the more intense will be
ones faith and the more devoted ones
service. America, after all, is nothing
more than the people who call them
selves Americans, for ideas and ideals
do not merely float in the air-they
are incarnated in men and women,
and by men and women they are APP
piled to life. Principles are of no
value till they are acted on, and they
must be acted on by people. The
memories and traditions of which
something has been said all attach to
people, and the history Of the coun-
try which is a part of 1t today was
made by people. 1t is into the labOrs
of very real people that we of the
present time have entered. The prob
lem, therefore, is one of keeping
Americans true, not solely to the flag,
but to the flag as the symbol Of great
national life. Into that life it is nee
essary to enter in 1t men must share.
The more complete their participation
the greater will be their love of their
.country-and their love Of 1t for what
it really is. and Of all that 1t stands
for. A patriotism thus enlightened
and inspired will, as has been said.
be close Of kin to religion.
Preserve Faith and Hope.
It is ns. boasting to magnify ones
blessings, or to dwell lovingly and
proudly on the principles and ideals
which are American. 1t is necessary
indeed to do this. since there are some
unhappy souls who see nothing good
In America, and who are even yet look
ing to Russia for inspiration and sal
walton. Nothing can be done with or
fer such, but it may be possible to
prevent others from being led astray
through ignorance Of what America
truly is. The American people have
been impervious to the fncursions OF
9clshevism, not because they are dull
ana stupid, but rather because they
are satisfied, and have reason to be
They know their America well enough
to know that there il no country ir
the wsrld in which opportunity is more
freely offered, none which comes Sc
near being the country Of the average
man.
Many Things to Learn.
On the nations birthday, therefore
the American people should pledg'
themselves to greater devotion t.
American ideals, to more loyal and I'm
selfish service, and to stricter conform
ity> to those great principles which lii
at the basis. of the nations life. There
is great need for education, since mucl
Of the failure to appreciate this coun
try is due to- pitiable ignorance O.
its history, its institutions, and Of al
that America has throughout its lif'
stood for. And this ignorance is Otter
the densest In the minds Of those wh'
think of themselves as reformers, ant
| who indeed are allowed to pose a
such. Men need to be very sure tina
| they know what liberty, as won b.
| people of the Anglican race, is, ant
what are it's safeguards. 1t is partic
ularly necessary that they should un
derstand the right of minorfties, an
| should realize that there is such
J thing as the despotism Of majorities
| There are some things that vote o
the majority cannot be- allowed t
sanction, as our constitution recoe
nizes. Perhaps this is one Of the mos
important lessons to be learned. as
seems to be the most difficult to brin
| home to men. The very restraints o
which the uniformed 50 often CON
plain have 10 other purpose than t
protect the helpless against the stronG
And this is part Of Americanism: s
We approach another Fourth of Jul.
| The world is in sad state, and eve
| In fortunate America all things ar
not as we should like to have then
Nevertheless the foundation of Go
| standeth sure" and 1t Is not likely I
| be shaken.
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