Evening star., 1946-03-01
Letters to The Star
A Reader Discusses the Question
what Is Americanism?'

Wudt Is AuuCIlCdulSWg
To the Editor of The Star:
The old Latinist who said, "I am a
Roman" implied in those simple words
whole philosophy of life. If we were
to say, II am an American"-whatw would
the words imply?
Americanism Is way of life. 1t does
not represent any rigid form of state or
national organization. 1t is something
constantly developing and unfolding,
changing from day to day, making mis-
takes, advancing in this direction and
retreating In that, but always being ami
mated by a few fundamental ideas
lives, provided they don't tread too
heavily on other persons toes; that a
human being Is capable of harmonizing
many allegiances-he can be, for in
stance, a good American and good
Catholic or Protestant or Jew; that the
state is not endowed with any divine
rights, but merely is useful instru-
ment invented by men to serve them;
that mans business on earth is to i'm
prove himself and respect his neighbor;
that the golden rule is as good a guide
for individual and social conduct as
any theory ever invented; that the in
dividual shall be judged, not by his race,
background or national origin, but by
his human qualities Of heart and mind
that laws which every one must obey
should not be made arbitrarily, but
should be the result Of debate, delibera-
ton, consultation: that power should
be divided, not concentrated; and that
by common effort we should try for
improvement but not attempt perfec-
ton, for perfection is the attribute Of
God.
Americanism stands for worldwide
freedom and democracy. It is akin to
the age-old universal yearning to be
free from tyranny and oppression, and
Is not product Of America so much as
America is product of it. It's univer-
salty is Its cardinal principle and in
sures abundant life for humanity.
Wherever people, tolerant and for
bearing, scornful of haughtiness and
bigotry, stand together mutually striving
to make free to all an equal opportunity
to life. liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness, there is Americanism, pure and
undefiled. Americanism is applied Chris
tianity.
We shall continue to 60 through the
forms of democratic government in vain,
If We lose the sense of responsibility
individual and collective, which is the
cement preventing freedom from crum-
bling into license. Our forefathers set
up an ideal of liberty within the whole
some restraint of law. They conceived
republic in which the opportunity to
make the most of ones talent and in
dustry should be open to all without
regard to birth. creed or condition.
They forbade Congress to prohibit the
free exercise Of religion or to abridge
freedom of speech or of the press. They
declared that no person should be de-
prived Of the rights of life, liberty or
property without due process of law
They expressly reserved to the people
OF the States the exercise of power not
specifically delegated to the central
Government, never meaning to inter-
fere with local government or per-
sonal freedom. These are the princi-
pies OF American democracy and they
must be respected, if America is to
continue to be land of liberty.
Our first obligation is to stand in
defense against the hordes of the ig-
norant who strive for dominance in
cunning ways. The worst enemies of
our Nation today surge forward under
the banners of some of the highest vir-
tues. 1t is the duty of good Americans
to combat these evils and to destroy
them before they corrupt the principles
on which our forefathers established
the Nation.
HELEN B. McMJJRRAY