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Show f American Principles and Ideals It has been said ttint patriotism must be an Intelligent patriotism ; there is much that passes for it that Is not intelligent, and some that falls within Dr. Johnson's definition : "Patriotism "Pa-triotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." scoun-drel." Nothing is easier than to be patriotic when It is simply a question " of going with the crowd. But more than this is required disinterested sendee, a full discharge of the duties of citizenship (even to the honest paying pay-ing of taxes J, independence and courage cour-age in the exercise of the right to vote, obedience to the law, etc. There must be service by outward act and deed, and not mer'lip service, asserts a writer in the Indianapolis News. But service implies Inowledge. The apostle said : "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed : for I know whom I have believed, be-lieved, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed com-mitted unto him against that day." "I know whom I have believed." One who believes in America must know America, and the more one knows her the more intense will be one's faith and the more devoted one's service. America, after nil, is nothing more than the people who call themselves them-selves Americans, for ideas and ideals do not merely Soat in the air they nre incarnated in men and women, and bv men and women they are applied ap-plied to life. Principles nre of no value till they are acted on, and they must ho acted on by people. Hie memories and traditions of which something has hoen said all attach to people, and the history of the country coun-try which is a part of It today was made by people. U is into the labors of vorv real people that we of the present time have entered. The problem, prob-lem, therefore. Is one of keeping Americans true, not solely to the Hag, but to the flag as the symbol of a great national life. Into that life it is necessary nec-essary to enter, in It men must share. The more complete their participation the greater will be their love of their country and their love of it for what it really is, and of all that it stands for. A patriotism thus enlightened and inspired will, as has been said, be close of kin to religion. Preserve Faith and Hope. It Is not boasting to magnify one's blessings, or to dwell lovingly and proudly on the principles and Ideals which are American. It Is necessary Indeed to do this, since there are some unhappy souls who see nothing good in America, and who are even yet looking look-ing to Itussia for inspiration and sal- vatlon. Nothing can be done with or for such, but It may be possible to prevent others from being led astray through ignorance of what America truly Is. The American people have been impervious to the incursions of Bolshevism, not because they are dull and stupid, but rather because they are satisfied, and have reason to be. They know their America well enough to know that there is no country in the world in which opportunity is more freely offered, none which comes so near being the country of the average man. Many Things to Learn. On the nation's birthday, therefore, the American people should pledge themselves to greater devotion to American ideals, to more loyal and unselfish un-selfish service, and to stricter conformity conform-ity to those great principles which lie at the basis of the nation's life. There is great need for education, since much of the failure to appreciate this country coun-try Is due to a pitiable ignorance of Its history, its Institutions and of all that America has throughout Its life stood for. And this ignorance Is often the densest In the minds of those who think of themselves as reformers, and who Indeed nre allowed to pose as such. Men need to be very sure that they know what liberty, as won by people of the Anglican race, is. and what are its safeguards. It is particularly partic-ularly necessary that they should understand un-derstand the right of minorities, and should realize that there is such a thing as the despotism of majorities. There are some things that a vote of the majority cannot be allowed to sanction, as our constitution recognizes. recog-nizes. Perhaps this Is one of the most important lessons to be learned, as It seems to be the most difficult to bring home to men. The very restraints of which the uninformed so often complain com-plain hnve no other purpose than to protect the helpless ngainst the strong And this Is a part of Americanism. f3c we approach another Fourth of July The world is In a sad state, and ever In fortunate America all things art nut as we should like to have them, "Nevertheless the foundation of God 1 stnndeth sure." and it Is not likely to be shaken. |