Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-04-21
Be a Good American

WHEN the President designated Sunday, May 1S
w day for emphasis the special significance of
citizenship in this nation he laid the foundation of what
should be hereafter annual and ultimately traditional
American observance.
Mr. Roosevelt suggested that it be known 81 Am
An American day in recognition of citizens who
have attained their majority who have been naturazed
within the year
1t would be difficult conceive of a patriotic enter
prise fundamentally related to the welfare and we'll
being of this nation
Every year. as the President implies thousands of
our people achieve the status of citizenship through
naturalization coming of age
IT is the right of all these to SAY they Americans
Is it not more important however, that they should
be GOOD Americans?
Are doing everything possible to MAKE them
good Americans?
Unless we instruct them in the history of our coun-
try impress ideals upon them in such manner that
they will be inspired by them nstl in them an under
standing and appreciation of historic principles what
assurance is there that they will preserve and pass on
to other generations the institutions have inherited
and must convey to them?
What is the special significance of American
citizenship?
IS IT not that duty descends all who attain that
l status do everything within the limits of human
power to keep the fundamental character of their coun
try unchanged?
They must LOVE America.
They must RESPECT its ideals and principles.
In order to have these essential qualities OF Sood
citizenship, they must be TAUGHT to know how this
country into being by what processes it maintains
itself.
1t is not a sufficient discharge of patriotic duties for
a citizen to be able to say, 81 Am An American
In fact, Abraham Lincoln once said 1t is not even
sufficient to LOVE America
AIR LINCOLN said our American way of life must
wi be SERVED well loved and respected, and
be continuously TAUGHT to those inheriting it II
it is to perish.
the threshold of citizenship unprepared for the duties
that estate and lacking proficiency in those duties
We would violate of the oldest rules OF history
if should neglect opportunities and obligations
AMERICANIZE youth throughout the impressionable
years when the character of man is shaped ,..- :.
The special significance of American citizenship IS
hat it confers freedom of conscience, worship opinion
nd expression upon the ndvidual-but along with that
reedom the power to preserve or to destroy IT.
WYE DO not enjoy the liberties and benefactons OF
w the Constitution of the United States because 1t
was written by fathers, but because we deem that
way of life best for
We do not assemble in our churches, walk our
streets or build homes and family life or criticize
our government according to how Judge 1t SIMPLY
because the founders of this country said those things
were right but because WE hold them to be right
single generation of skeptical Indifferent and i'm
patriotic Americans untaugh in the basic concepts and
precepts of America could change the character OF our
national life overnight.
WRECK AMERICA, if they have not been taught to
love and serve America
EFT THE observance of Il Am An American day
l. become the fixed custom of this land
But let the preparations for being GOOD AMERI-
CANS be not neglected. Let them begin when the tree
air of this great republic is first breathed Let them
rpen into understanding and performance of the patriotic
duties which symbolic the special significance OF
BEING AMERICAN.
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