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Show OF COURSE WE'LL DROP IT. A month ago an English gentleman, Sir Edward Clarke, suggested that the people of the United States call themselves "Usonians" instead of Americans. Xow another English cousin suggests a slight modification of the national hymn, "The Star-Spanglpd Banner." Sir Howard Vincent, M. P., objects to the third verse for the reason that it recalls the enmity for Croat Britain which rankled in the composer's heart when he nenned the lines. He declares that the words are inapplicable and out of date, keeep an old sore needlessly running, and breed ill will and distrust in young Americans. -Therefore, by all means, let the third verse be dropped and the hatreds and passions of older days forgotten. The suggestion of Sir Vincent will be followed. The third verse will be dropped. Any other suggestions in the interest of international peace will be gladly received. Our navy may be too large. Any suggestion as to dispensing with all or a part of that needless functionary will be gladly executed. exe-cuted. There may be certain chapters in American Ameri-can history calculated to excite1 hostility. It' may be that such chapters had better be dropped. The Declaration of Independence, when read at !ourth of July celebrations may awaken mild anti-British sentiment among those who try to understand why thei instrument was promulgated. Probably it had better be forgotten. The correct understanding of .history and a true knowledge of the early struggles of a small but liberty loving people are of no. importance when weighed against the possible ill will which may result re-sult when that country gets into a position to take care of itself and then learns who was its. worst foe in the early days. The British insist' that we are their cousins. That may be. The difference is that we used to be poor relations, and now we are. rich and powerful relatives, upon whose forbearance depends the integrity in-tegrity of their empire. Chicago Tribune. |