Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-25
c;+es Constitutions
Preamble as Guide
IN Plans for Educa-
t;on. Patriotism and
citizenship PERISH
ing, Gompers, Van
derlip, Other Speak
ers at Annual Con-
ference N ton a |
American Council

Washington. May o4.-The preamble
n the constitution is the best chart
q, the nations course in a program
:, sdpcation and patriotism and citi-
ynship. President Harding declared to-
,.r before delegates, representing so
.,rcstional agencies and organizations.
:. .bs third annual conference of the
National American Council. The pres
,aent made plea for the rededication
:, tho people to the aims of their gov
,nment, which. he said, would furnish
a. nation "a commanding and domi-
MATING national interest" which had
h..n lacking since the World War.
Other Notables Speak
General Pershing. Frank a. Wander
lin of New York. president of the coun-
ii Doctor c. r. Mann. chairman of
me civilian advisory board of the ar
NV general staff. and President Com
mrs Of the American Federation OF La
mr addressed the meeting.
Mr. Vanderbilt outlined the aim of
NE council as the promotion of cdu-
aton for citizenship and patriotism
NJ coordinating the work of the so or
more organization members.
General Pershing explained the or.
sanitation of the reserve army which
The war department is building up and
declared it was the best mainstay of
the nation Neglect of the common de-
tense. he said. has been the cause of
many Of the national dangers and bur-
dens and rejection of Washington's
advice to be prepared in peace for war
had placed the country in danger at
least twice.
Doctor Mann announced that score
card for rating communities for por-
gress in educational work will be
adopted inasmuch as the American gen.
orally takes more interest in COMPETE
tive scoring than in quiet announce
ment Of progress.
Mr.. Vanderbilt criticized the conten-
ton Of some that the community cam
not afford. for economic reasons. to
educate all children. This. he said.
would mean the nation lives in "hypoc-
risy' and is not democracy.
Mr. Gompers laid emphasis on what
organized labor has done in this coun-
try for the advancement of educa alton.
He also declared restriction of immi-
grafton is necessary until the foreign
element already in the United States is
assimated
President Harding was reelected hon
crary president of the council.
Quoting the preamble, Mr.. Harding
said it constituted the complete state
ment OF our nations aspiration
the chart for our course and the
Inspiration of every effort to make one
and all Of US better citizens"
While deploring the lack Of def
mite common purpose as was set up
by the war. the president said he had
Mlsslvings with respect to the com
mon observation nowadays. sometimes
altogether too easily and lightly
made, that democracy is on trial"
We will be quite safe in admitting"
ne added that many of the institu-
ucns which have been set up in the
hope that through them the best aims
OF democracy might be realized. are on
'flal. We will make no mistake if we
confess that the attitudes and conduct
Of many people who profess devotion
70 democratic institutions are on trial.
bui all this may be admitted without
implying that any important part OF
ne society is seeking an alternative
@democracy.
There is much questioning Of ways
ana means and institutions. but as to
'as fundamentals it certainly can be
Sld that never was our country more
A'miy committed to the broad ideals
sla purposes Of democracy and never
~.ore We're so many mother countries
sau peoples seeking to establish like
Commitments"