Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-02-18

a person wants to do provided he
does not interfere with the rights of
others. We may conclude from this
that q person has freedom of action
and will obey the spirit of the law if
he does what he sees is right.
In the second place would say that
to be a good citizen one must be
patriotic. Let me make myself clear
on this point. do not mean that one
should confine his patriotic fervor to
such activities as waving a flag on
the Fourth of July or in shout him
self hoarse when monument is I'M
yelled concentrating person who
has figured conspicuously in the his
tory of his country.
What l really mean is that a per
son to be truly patriotic must have
profound zeal and enthusiasm for his
country in times of peace as well as
in times of war; in time of calamity
danger as we'll as in time of safety.
In other words do not believe that
person should use his patriotism as a
sort of safety device. !. 1t can never
be considered a safety first scheme or
antidote,
You have probably beard of the,
man who when asked IL he prayed
before he went to bed replied, that ne
did if he. slept in folding bed. We
have many citizens who are patriotic
if they think their homessot property
are in imminent danger. We have
too many people who are strong for
their country when there is wave.
of patriotic fervor sweeping the land,
and then absolutely cold and indiffer-
ent when the country is in need Of
peace time patriotic citizens.
These people remind one of the
person who hastens to an insurance,
man to get a policy after his home
catches fire. The same person will
not consult a doctor until he is sick
in bed He also fails to take any in
terest in religious work until the doc
tors have told him that he will never
get well.
We need the sort of citizens who
are patriotic, have profound love of
country and a desire to serve their
native land at all times and in all
places. This does not mean that a
,1arco. rLo,,Id y,,araI,y IaoJ n ho,,t lAi n,
and decide that all is well, and that
improvements are out of the question.
In fact, the real patriotic person who
is worthwhile is one who is continual
ly finding things to be improved, and
lending aid to movements that are
for the good of his country and the
progress of his fellowmen.
In the third place / would say that
good citizen is one who is an enemy
to every person who would destroy
or mar the progress and advancement
in the United States who would be
glad to see this government destroy
ed; who would willingly have this
government turned into Bolshevis-
tic system similar to the make-shift
government they have in Russia.
1t is time for loyal Americans to
give consideration to this subject. |
do not mean to give the impression
that | am frightened or that am an
alarmist. Neither do / aim to init
mate that / think this country is in
danger of falling at the hands Of
few radicals. But during the past
few years the Communistic and radi-
cal movement has gained force in the
United States. It has been accepted
by some of our most intelligent peo-
pie. We smile at the term parlor boil
shevist. But it is no matter to be
smiled away.
Communism has found lodging in
the minds of some of the leaders in
our national life. 1t is in our univer-
stiles, colleges and even in our pull
pits. 1t is found in our best news
papers and magazines; it is explained
before our leading business and pro-
fessional men in luncheon clubs; it
is brought out in discussions at wo-
mems clubs and it is found in books
that are widely read.
The untried theories of government
as expounded by these radical think
ers are dangerous and should be a.
voided By carefully laid plans and
subtle suggestions they are able to
get their theories across to the pub
lie.
The true citizen is never backward
of progress. He is always ready and
willing to assist in any forward move
ment T., the betterment of his coun-
try. But he does not favor destroy
Ing the government in order to try
some idealistic scheme, which may re-