The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1933-06-08
Prize "Americanism' Essays in Legion Contest
EchOe Macs


Inexplicable as the sunlight, irres-
lstible as the tides is that strange
spirit which impels man to sacrifice
all for his country Americanism.
Americanism is old, yet ever new.
1t has risen from fine ideals and holds
its high position at our hands.
The first spirit of Americanism was
born in the hearts of the Pilgrims,
when, with tears in their eyes and a
vague longing in their hearts, they
turned resolute backs on the May
flower as it sailed back to England.
Throughout that first trying winter,
the Pilgrims kept faith and it was
this ideal which gave the new born
spirits of Americanism a little push
on its way to growth.
From the days of the Declaration
of Independence and the American
Revolution, Americanism has come
unframed. The great ideals of liber-
ty and freedom gave it impetus to
develop, and the foundation of our
nation aided it in advancing along the
road to the point where it is now.
In the nineteenth century our coun-
try divided and fought between it's
divisions war that made history for
the world. Through this division and
bitter sectional feeling Americanism
has not only emerged but has emer-
ged with added glory, more power,
and glorious triumph. The great
Ci1yi1
was realized; and the spirit of Amer
icanism grew on.
In 1898 our country, now more than
ever single hand, worked to free an
oppressed people. The United States
triumphed over Spain, and the real
ization of still two more ideals, free
dom and unity, sent Americanism
nearly to the heights of success.
Not only from war time wars but
from peace time wars, too, has Amer
icanism gained strength. Take the &C.
onomic depression of 1907, for exam
pie. With millions out of work, with
a stupendous public debt, and a null
titude suffering from poverty, is a
country expected to remain unchan-
ged? No; and ours didn't. Neither
did Americanism. The spirit came out
of the economic chaos enriched by
ideals of new kind of sacrifice, a
spirit of Cooperation, and more unity
made possible by the new sympathet-
ic understanding existeing in the
hearts of our people.
Tho yNorJ1 Woy Al x,,,oL e.. 4Io
spirit of Americanism. You know how
and what only too we'll. Those men
who made 1918 possible, even now
are helping to keep the spirit alive.
Although their compensation is being
ruthlessly cut, they take it in silence
because they feel tits for the good of
our country. Unselfshness, sacrifice,
loyalty again we see these lofty
ideals help Americanism push on.
Americanism, as we have seen, has
come victorious through our trying
history. Now it perches high upheld
by loyal supporting hands. Our hands.
We must never let our own hands or
hearts fail to hold it high, and we
must, as part of our duty, keep our
comrades with US. This unified supp
ort may be gained in many ways.
Through education, literature, the
platform, pubic opinion, and the
press, we can show others how to do
their share. But although these are
powerful factors, we, ourselves, each
individual must cultivate those fine
ideals from which Americanism has
grown. If we do this, our country
and Americanism shall ever be.