The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-16
Professional Patriots
Continue from last issue)

A large number of the professional potrioti
societies are still resting on the laurels ackieVet
during the late a0ar. At that time they securet
the permission to print the names of many edi
tors, professors, lG1Oyer8 and others on thei
lctteT-hecdS, thus acquiring ''preStige"
Professional Patriots" is edited by Norman
HapgOod from material assembled by Sidnel
HolOord and John HearIey.
One paragraph from this pamphlet is worth attention
and needs comment:
"a committee of The National Civic Federation
which has spent two years studying the revolutionary
movements in this country, greatly disturbed t
find the extent to which they have penetrated all groups
making up national life Not the least disquietni
feature of the situation is the fact that many
in high places have little realization Of what is going
about them. For instance, it learned that unde
the very dome Of the Capitol at Washington there
organization made up of hundred and fifty secre
taries to senators and representatives which com
rletely in the hands Of the Reds. 1t had been il
existence for two years, holding its meetings in thu
of the House, and yet few persons il
Fashngton had ever heard of it! But Moscow anC
Red liberal press Of all nations had heard of i
knew and exploited the fact that the United States
Congress- Jr had voted in favor Of the recognition
.,oviet Russia"
In conclusion Mr.. Easley laments:
eve, in the United States to be fighting alone
the battle against the Red-ism of the world. If thu
flood of propaganda against patriotism continues un
checked its effect will surely be the undermining of ou
national vrilty and the extending Of invitation t.
the bandits of the world to come and help themselves
for shall be left defenseless The question before
to-day is "Shal shrink from the great task which
lies before us?' No. hundred times no-unless arr
utterly faithless to children, to childrens chill
dren and to those who sleep in Flanders fields'!"
That this hysterical propaganda is not accompanies
by any real work for patriotism is testified to by tina
jealous organ the Woman Patriot published in Wash
ington. In article in 1924 entitled "EmbalmeC
Patriotism" the editor says:
"'Get up and say something! You people o.
patriotic organizations in addition to looking after
Memorial Day and the Fourth of July observances
should appoint committees Immediately to fight this
Red army in midsty These remarks of William
j. Burns director of the Bureau of Investigation Of
the Department of Justice, before the Allied Patriotic
Societies at New York February would have beer
made by trained investigator had not the facts
patriotic organizations justified at least in part, this
criticism
"The honesty and good intentions of patriotic or
CARNATIONS not questioned but unless they get VI
and say something, do something for law enforce
men and against radical legislation and propaganda
they ought to close up shop. We could name hall
dozen patriotic organizations, whose sincerity nobody
would challenge which, in spite Of their excellent fac
ties actually doing nothing but following this policy
of trying look like patriots and all the of it
with "a good deal of talk about the Constitution
forefathers and the spirit of institutions
For example, patriotic society is deeply con
cerned about the correct use of the Flag-while ap
parently unconscious that the agents of murderou
foreign Government, in violation of laws, are or
ganiZng to destroy this nation Another is worrie,
because only 2S000000 Americans voted in 1920, bu
apparently unconcerned with what George Washington
called the basis of political SYSTEM the right
the people to make and alter their Constitution
third depores unconstitutional legislation but
afford to get into any controversies about It'll
That organization issues excellent tracts about tn
Constitution but that if it discussed
legislation it would get into hot water at with it
members
"a fourth wants to know why charges with specified
lions filed against Communist leaders under Fed
era Statutes when it would have been nice to tall
about the Soviet invitation to Congressman who hav
declined to accept it,"
While we would not suggest following up with deed
the words that constitute the propaganda of profes
sional patriotism, note the truth of this ndctmen
by of those inside.
So much of the literature has been loose and hysteri
cal that it has resulted in suits for libel in
full demands for public reractions These instances ar
numerous and only few need be cited.
The United Americans in a pamphlet charged thu
Committee Of 48 with being Bolshevik organization
The Committee, progressive political group withou
connections with any other party movement, a
sued for damages in the of its chairman
j. A. Hopkins. The settled out of court, thu
United Americans paying the Committee $1,000, anc
publishing a retraction well.
r. M. Whitney Of the American Defense Society
author of the series of articles on the Reds in Amer
ica first published in the Boston Transcript charged
Capt Paxton Hibben United States Army Reserv,
Officer with disloyaty TO the interests of the United
States by alleged pro-Soviet and revolutionary views
and made charges also against his personal character
Capt Hibben at sued the Transcript for 100000
While the pending for trial. Capt. Hibben wa
Investigated by army board and completely cleared
of all charges The Transcript thereupon published Tho
findings with It's retraction, and the suit was
dropped.
Two suits for libel are now pending in the New York
courts, with four compliments against the Amer
lean Defense Society and Fred R. Marvin of the New