Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1917 — Shall American Nation Devote Itself to Growth Along Materialistic Lines? [ARTICLE]

Shall American Nation Devote Itself to Growth Along Materialistic Lines?

By MAJ. LOUIS L. SEAMAN

of New York

TOur natiOii' iB crow Cfiteririg rhe~nTO?t critical jjeriod- of its history. Many questions are presenting themselves for correct solution, upon which depend our destiny. The American people must determine along what lines the development of the nation will take place and what shall be its ultimate goal. Shall our people devote their energy to the development of commercialism and materialism at the expense of those things that appertain to the development of the soul, or shall it subordinate itself to self-interests? The support of patriotism will develop those spiritual qualities which make for the betterment of individual and, therefore, of national character. It is the consensus of opinion of the serious observers of our institutions that the great tendency of our people today is to make the amassing of wealth and tlie enjoyhient of pleasure their chief goal. This tendency is so strong as to be alarming. Its effect is to benumb the spirit of patriotism and-to the moral And spiritual qualities of our people. If this country is to meet and solve the great problems which confront us and fulfill our destiny in the history of the world, there must be a universal revival of patriotism and the adoption of a fixed resolve on eur part to sehool ourselves in those civic virtues and. sound principles of citizenship, without which our political institutions will have no permanent foundation. The present situation is new. In the past the great issue we have faced has been more provincial, relating to our own country and its development, and we have solved them. But now we are a yprld. power and we face problfcns new to our diplomacy. They appertain to’ our foreign relations. In a democracy like ours, where leadership is determined by public opinion as expressed by the majority of our people, it is essential that the people themselves master the facts which shed light on these problems, in order that they may intelligently provide wise national leaders. This being so, a systematic and thorough study of our foreign affairs and the history of foreign countries is prerequisite for a correct solution of the present-day issues. Knowledge of history is necessary, because the great war has its root in the remote pagt-Jlherfl nm ha no Oiimvwtirim>Lthouv and study. In order to acquire knowledge more people must turn their attention seriously to the study of civic affairs and the performance of civic duties. The situation calls for self-sacrifice, self-control, and the development of a keener sense of duty to the nation. _—