The Redwood gazette., 1935-06-06
Americanism
By Verna Schaffer


term AmericaniSm is used very
frequently but the average person
would doubtless find some difficult
ty in denning it satisfactorily. 1t
is used to justify all kinds of un-
dertakings, some good and others
with narrow and selfish aims. In
like manner it is used to condemn
still other undertakings. 1t is
right therefore to ask for an in
depreciation of Americanism. The
Interpretation must come up from
the whole people, and must repres-
ent the fundamental trends of Am
erican life and thought, the ideals
in action of our great American
people. Broadly speaking, it is to
me to be an appreciation of and
loyalty to America and it's instit-
utions. But it means more than q
mere passive acceptance of the
benefits which are derived from
citizenship.
Probably no class of citizenship
is more qualified to define Ameri-
canism than the veterans of the
wars which have been waged to
defend it. Some time ago a de-
finition was adopted by the COM
manders-in-chief Of five leading
veterans organizations, which was
as follows:
"Americanism is an unfailing
love of country; loyalty to its in
stitutions and ideals; eagerness
to defend it against all enemies;
undivided allegiance to the flag
and a desire to secure the blessing
Of liberty to ourselves and to our
posterity."
In my mind Americanism is the
behavior of an individual in har-
mony with the American ideals.
We know there is no such thing as
Americanism unless Americanism
is in the soul of the individual.
We first must feel it and then
put it among other people. This
''it" which we must feel in our
souls is a mystical quantity which
represents our Americanism.
There is something bigger and
finer in every Individual himself.
That thing which is finer is the
thing that prompts US to do the
work that we are doing; and why
are we striving; why are we fight
ing on the other side today? Be-
cause Of q divine dissatisfaction
within our souls. We are compell-
ed to move on and on by some
thing that we know not OF. That
is the essence of Americanism.
Take out of our hearts the belief
that the Battle Hymn Of the Re-
public is true, that Goods truth is
marching" and you defeat Amer
lea; but until you take that from
US, care not what battles, Of the
world may show-the spirit of
America, the real America cannot
be beaten in the battle. American.
ism is not only the spirit Of our
country, but Americanism is the
most advanced spirit that has
come to mans spirit from above.
Who is the good American?
The good American is one who ex-
hibits in his behavior and thinking
the ideals of our great American
people. I feel that the good AM
erican is one who is law abiding;
is clean and healthy in his habits;
is honest, trustworthy, reliable; is
loyal and patriotic; good citizen
every day; is reverent; is prompt
in the performance of duties;
plays fairly and openly; and one
who cooperates with his fellow
men. He serves his country in
peace, as well as in war, in small
things as we'll as in great, and
chiefly by squaring constantly his
own conduct by the right Ameri-
can ideals.
What are the ideals? The good
American, in order that his behav-
Tor may be consistent, has reduced
his code of action to definite ideals.
Some of them are: respect for
laws; liberty under law; loyalty;
reverence; self control; temperan-
ce, sobriety in thought and action;
honesty the best policy; and the
sacredness Of truth.
(Continued on page eighty