The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-06-08

The early American colonlsts must
have possessed more than their pro-
portion of strong wills, resolute and
independent characters. They were
people who knew what they wanted
and were willing to run a great risk
in order to get this. The first domi-
nant and formative factor was the
spirit of self-reliance. 1t was this
spirit which animated and controlled
them. 1t was this spirit which made
America and which still preserves the
Republic.
The people believe in the Republic
firmly and passionately. The vital
reason for this is because this belief
springs out of life and is rooted in
life. The spirit of self-reliance is the
strongest American characteristic in
the individual, community and nation.
This spirit, of course, has made many
mistakes, but it has Stunned delays,
evasions and despairs. 1t has brought
forth explorers, artists, pioneers, ETC.;
and has brought the poor out of their
obScurity and helped to tighten the
sufferings of the poor.
The Americans have strong senti-
ment toward each other, which is
friendly. A true American will not
feel injured by the fact that another
is richer, better known, more infuen-
tial than himself, unless he believes
that this emminence has been unfairly
reached. He is ready to meet SUI
perior without servility, and an in
ferior without patronage. He is kind
and affectionate and shows the same
amount of consideration to one per-
son as he does to another.
America may take Lew ideas, in
ventions, ETC., from the foreign coun-
tries, but always improve them. A
true American never copies anything
always take, but improve.
1t is in the schools that the true
spirit of America is revealed. The
children salute the flag with enthusi-
asm. There are many schools, high
schools, colleges and universities all
over this country and we as true
Americans should patronize our own
colleges and never educate our boys
and girls abroad. In order to have
good education we must develop 4
powers-the powers to see clearly; to
imagine vividly; to think independent
ly; and the power to will nobly and
wisely. Then we will be prepared to
take cur part as great citizen Of
America.
America is by far the richest coun-
try in the world. But it is not the
might of the dollar which impro IS
men, but it is the might of the man
who wins the dollar.
If there will ever be an American
aristocracy, it shall not be composed
of the rich and those whose pride is
their ancient name, but of those who
have done most to keep awake the
true spirit of America, and those
who are eager to solve the problems
of the common order, and those who
clearly and steadily remind US, by
word and deed, that "By the Soul
only, the nations shall become great
and free"
A true American will never judge
a man by his creed, but by his con-
duct in public and private life. We
should not look down upon the Syrians
and Greeks and such classes because
of their race and religion, for many
of them are as good-hearted and re-
spectful to everyone as we are. We
will have to eliminate race and re-
ligious prejudice prestige before we
ever gain true America.
We should have only honest officials
for all parts of the government, and
we should treat all officers alike in
every respect. Every officer should
not only realize the right and duty
of his office, but also his greatest
duty to God and mankind.
We should strive to uphold personal
and public morality wherever we can.
1t is not right for a stronger man to
oppose a weaker, or for one man to
fight or kill another and true Amer
lean will not uphold such meanness.
There is no place in this great Cod
fearing country for half-true Ameri-
cans, and true American owes his
full allegiance to America and Amer
lea only. The only one who is a good
American is one who is true Amer
ican and nothing else. Let us hope
that the day shall come when all the
people of every land shall cry with
Patrick Henry:
"Give me liberty, of give me death"