Evening star., 1943-07-04
The New Meaning

The New Meaning
Until comparatively recently the
Fourth Of July for . great many
perhaps 4 majority-of Americans
was not m occasion Of any particu-
lar concern. The anniversary OF the
adoption Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence by the Continental Con-
gress was just pleasant festival.
Most commonly it was characterized
by speeches, fireworks, sporting
events, picnics and dances. The
freedom represented by it was ac-
cepted rs q traditional benefaction
for which no special return was re-
quired. Separation from the British
crown had been achieved, the Union
had been preserved, the new ma
ton" Of 1776 had become prosper
Gus empire. Not for a moment did
the population of the United States
bother to question the continuance
of its good fortune. No threat ap-
peared upon the universal horizon.
Then one group Of countries IN
Eastern Europe undertook to discip-
line another, and the First World
War began. Even as late as the
autumn Of 1915, however, America
believed that peace might be had for
the taking. The seeming victory 50
wildly celebrated early in November.
1918, was supposed to lead to 4 re
construction" which should be in the
ordinary traditions natural and
normal development OF the idealism
indicated by the convenient slogans
Of the struggle against the German
Kaiser and his associates. When
anticipated changes did not occur.
only 4 small, unimportant number
Of citizens took notice Of the failure.
It became 4 fashion to mock at hu-
name aspirations. All classes prac-
ticed 4 selfish realism" The man
or woman who did not concentrate
upon individual advantage was de-
rided as a dreamer.
Meanwhile, a vast reactionary
movement was launched in the
Orient, in Italy and, in its most dis
tinctively provocative form, at Mu-
Mich, In Bavaria. Wrestling with the
troubles of the costliest depression
they had ever known, Americans
generally did not appreciate the sig
nificance Of the supposedly comic
little paper hanger" who had revived
the militaristic ambitions Of the
Hohenzollerns. Even after France
collapsed in the spring OF 1910, many
reasonably intelligent observers still
had faith that the Nazis would re-
frain from challenging the United
States. When finally the Axis struck,
it was the japanese who were per
mitted' to deliver the initial blow.
The surprise attack upon Pearl Har-
Dor was q complete success from
Hitler's point of view. But 1t also
served to educate the American peo-
pie in the meaning Of totalitarian
aggression. Then, and then only, did
Woodrow wilson's insistence that
"the world must be made safe for
democracy" appear in its full flower
Of logic. A quarter century earlier
it had been q mere aphorism. Now.
at long last, 1t was understood as a
factual animation of the goal Of all
civilized lands and folk.
Thus the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence ceases to be just an elo-
quent gesture Of defiance. 1t sud-
denly assumes a value hitherto
unguessed in the experience Of living
generations Of Americans. Life,
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness"
are In peril Of destruction at the
hands Of enemies strong and ruth
less and desperate with mad deter
mination. The tyranny against
which Thomas Jefferson wrote and
George washington led forth the
Continental Armies was 4 pale
shadow Of oppression compared with
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the pagan swastika Of Der Fuehrer
and the blood-red solar disc Of the
Mikado.
But to the degree that the chal-
lenge is stern, the danger fragrant,
the task diflicult to perform. 50. too,
the wisdom which providentially
should come with victory should be
comprehensive and effective. The
Fourth Of July is an appropriate day
for remembering that the Declara-
ton Of independence was q covenant
with God as well as with mankind
and that its fulfilment will be won
not merely when the Axis Is defeated,
but rather only when freedom has
been secured everywhere on earth.
It is to that cad that Americans are
toiling and dying In 1s4S.