The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-02-21

Is only had as to the interests repre-.
sented by the groups. The general
public, not being considered, frequent
ly has to suffer.
"Group organizations are desirable
until they attempt to obtain advan-
tages at the expense OF the general
pWblft. Then they are menace. We
need legislatures and executives who
have courage enough to withstand
these group interests when the groups
are opposed to the public welfare.
'"A man who will desert his party
or his group for the general good is a
far better citizen than one who blind.
ly follows his organization.
"Americanism is not,party or, group
loyalty.
Not Militarism
"Americanism does not consist in
wearing uniform and saluting the
flag. There are many who would
have us believe that a graduate OF
West Point is better American than
graduate of a cornfield and that true
Americanism/ will only pervade this
land when every man shall have
served his turn in the army.
while give way to no one in my
respect for the man who wears the
uniform Il have worn one myself
there never was statement made
with less foundation. A man Is no
more In the service of his country as
"a soldier than lie should be as a civil.
ian and his loyalty need be no greater
Military training does not foster 10y.
atty. If it did history would read quite
differently from what it does. AS a
matter of fact, more governments
have been overthrown by armies main
tanned to defend them than by invad.
ing hosts. The greatest crisis this
country ever faced was when large
number of men who had been edu.
Gated by the government at its naval
and military academies and who had
taken solemn oaths to defend, 1t be.
came the leaders of the Confederacy.
The Union was saved by the loyalty
OF the cornfield graduates.
Military training fosters the spirit
of militarism, and militarism is not
Americanism, no matter under what
guise 1t exists.
Not Worsh'ping the Constitution
1.-THE constitution is great docu'
ment, but its trainers did not consider
It perfect, much less sacred. At the
time of its adoption its imperfections
were much discussed. 1t was badly
warped by prejudice and political ex'
pediency, and many considered its
adoption would bring an end to all
personal and political liberty. Nova.
days we frequently are told that un-
less we consider the constitution as
sacred we are not true Americans.
The constitution was made to use and
not to worship.
"What, then, is Americanism? What
are the things. which are indigenous
to our form of government and which
produce that which we call American
ism?
Religion
"The first element of Americanism
is religion. BY this is not meant the
acceptance Of conventional creeds or
formulas. A good citizen must be a
spiritually minded man, for his spirit.
ual attitude toward his community
and his government is far more i'm
portant than wealth, position or gen
ius.
Love Of Justice
"The next element of Americanism
is love OF Justice. No true American
wants for himself or his government
rights he would deny his neighbor OF
another government. While it is not
always easy to carry out these ideals
in the practical administration of af
fairs, every lapse has brought trouble
and regrets. While every good Amer
lean loves his country, he also loves
justice and liberty wherever it may be
found.
Respect for Law
"1he third element Of Americanism
is respect for law. There Is no room
in this country for the I. w. w. and
,unwashed anarchist. These are no,
the people, however, who should give
us the most concern. The supposed
ly respectable citizen who assumes tt
select what laws he shall obey and
what he shall not Is no less menace
fhan hia INV ahad hrOthar, Good cit