The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1930-07-31

was over and being
a Stacker was q matter entirely OF
personal opinion. You don't have
to have war to have slackers, do
you, Dad?"
swell, l should say not, Bob"
laughed Mr.. Smithhough, as he laid
down his paper. ''True, the word
Stacker is of war origin. 1t came
into being during those terrific
days when men by the million the
world over were being called upon
by government after government to
determine which came first in the
life of a citizen, his personal pleas
ure and choice or his country's
need. While there is no doubt at
all that much false sentiment and
even false loyalty is developed and
pushed into the forefront, neverthe-
less there were a great many pure
unadulterated slackers who, for no
other reason than their own safety
and because of a yellow streak,
sought to pass the hazards Of war
onto some other fellow while they
stepped safely out. In tense times,
with a worlds peace and happiness
at stake, it did come to be an ugly
word, filled not only with utter con-
tempt, but hatred, and the idea has
survived.
"But the world has always had
slackers and, unfortunately, still
has them; that group Of men, and
women, TOO, who put personal privi-
lege and convenience and safety
first and the larger welfare of 9TH
ers, school, club, city, state, nation
and humanity last.
ave might say, strictly speaking,
that a Stacker is one who Is dis
loyal TO the best interests of the
social group to which he has given
allegiance. In days past patriotism
in the popular mind was making u
lot of noise and waving a flag fran
tically on holidays. During the war
1t took on a more far-reaching sig
hif1cance.
Loyalty is a great big word. To
be loyal to every person he believes
in, and to every worthwhile insti-
tuition in his community is just a
natural attitude for healthy boy.
In his language it just means play
ing the game fairly and squarely
and for all he is worth. Loyalty is
good craftsmanship. A Stacker is
q poor sport. What more despic-
able thing could we say Of anyone?
"a patriot is loyal to his home,
because of all the sacrifice and de-
votion on his behalf 1t represents
and all the good fellowship and un-
selfish life-sharing it provides from
day to day. A Stacker forgets all
of these things.
"a patriot is loyal to his church
because it is one Of the greatest
and most valuable of our modern
institutions, providing him as 1t
does with exceptional opportunities
for inspiration, worship, training
and service to his brother man. A
Stacker forgets all Of these things,
also!
"a patriot is loyal to his group
because in this friendly circle he
has a real opportunity to learn to
live happily and helpfully with 9TH
ers, to help other boys and to gain
help for his own life. A Stacker for
gets even all Of these things!
"a patriot is loyal to his country
because it makes all his opportuni-
ties possible. He serves its best in
terests with his talent, his training,
his money, and, if need be, his life.
"a patriot Is loyal to himself,
taking care Of his health, making
the most of his time and keeping
himself the right kind of citizen
against any sort of an emergency
which may arise. The boy scout
oath sums IL up beautifully-'tO
keep oneself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally
straight
"a patriot is loyal to all the best
interests of mankind regardless OF
color, creed, or class; loyal to what
ever is good for mankind whether
in Europe or Asia, Africa or South
America. The Stacker is provincial,
national minded and says America
first at all costs and me first in
America!
81 was reading the other day of
famous American named Solomon
Willard. Did you ever hear Of
him? He is quite symbolic to me,
my boy, of what a Stacker is not.
You won't find much mention Of
him in your history, and his name
is not in the Hall of Fame, but here
is his story: One hundred years
ago, Solomon Willard, architect
and builder, started something in
East Boston that should never be
lost sight of. He designed and
built the Bunker Hill monument. AS
q patriotic gift TO his country, he
devoted 10 years of his life to sup
erintending the erection Of that
great shaft, absolutely without re-
Enumeration of any kind! What this
country of ours needs most desper-
ately Is more Solomon WillardS
who have great ability coupled with
great loyalty-men who are eager
to give their best to their country
and to mankind, and who are not
primarily concerned with tapping
the public till.
"Just one other thought. Bob.
Too much stress has always been
placed on dying for ones country
to prove ones loyalty"
CO. 1880. Western Newspaper Union.l