Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 207, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1918 — OF WHAT ARE WE THINKING? [ARTICLE]

OF WHAT ARE WE THINKING?

By GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON

Of The Vigilantes

What is in the mind of the American citizen while “The Star-Spangled, Banner” Is being played? Of what are we thinking? Are we thinking of the flag and all that it stands for, or are our minds otherwise engaged? Of course, it is reasonably certain that we are thinking of something, but have our thoughts the'slightest connection with the message our flag is carrying to the enemy? We obediently arise with the first sonorous note of the anthem and we remain standing till the end. We have learned, or we are learning, to “face the music” more or less at attention, and we are 'developing the conviction that it is an offense to chatter while the strains of our war song, perhaps our death song, fill But are we thinking of “The Star-Spangled Banner”? Or are we silently urging the musicians to hurry up and be done with it so that we may resume an interrupted occupation? Are we impatiently waiting to take up a broken conversation; a game of bridge; the telling of a story; the reading of a newspaper; the liberal art of criticizing the war department, the navy or the administration; or, what is infinitely more incompatible, exploiting the hateful efficiency of the foe? "The Star-Spangled Banner." We sit in public places, and we arise because we are in public places. We suspend for the moment our physical interests and we look'about us Ao see IT other people are doing the Wine? Some of us get up grudgingly and stand as we happen to have been sitting, with dur backs to the music; some of us go on knitting; others of us continue to keep our hands in our pockets and our cigars in our mouths; others think that nothing more Is required of them than the lowering of the voice to an undertone; others consider a bland expression of resignation to be efficient; and some fall Into an attitude of tolerant submissiveness. There is little or no evidence of exaltation, no sign of an inward thrill, no suggestion of a profound emotion. The beautiful, inspiring concentration of thought that attends the “Marseillaise” is lacking; the full-hearted sensation that glorifies “Rule Britannia” is absent; even the fervor of the Teuton as symbolized in guttural acclaim is sadly wanting. We, the most imaginative, the most alert people in the world, are totally devoid of imagination during the rendition of our warsong. Why should we not think, or even

pray, as the French, the English and the Germans think and pray\ while their song of hope is being sounded? “The Star-Spangled Banner” is our battle-song. It goes into the thick of the fight with our flag and our boys. It emphasizes our hopes, our aims, our longings ; and of what are we thinking —we who'stay at home —while its strains areTalling upon our ears? Are we, so to speak, playing the game? Should Offer a Prayer. Why shouldn’t we, one and all, great and small, think alike for as long as five minutes in each day? Let there be but one thought, one prayer, while, the hymn is ringing. From one end of this great land to the other letjthis be'the beginning of our prayer the instant the band strikes up “The StarSpangled Banner”! . “God be with our flag and our sobdiers and our arms wherever they may me!” And let this be the end of our devout, Intensified prayer as the last note dies away: “God give us Victory!” Not perfunctorily, not as a matter of duty, but \rith our hearts in it, our nerves eyes glowing with the fire of enthusiasm. One thought, one prayer in a hundred million minds! ,Every heart full, every mind Intent as we face the enemy! For, after all. this Star-Spangled banner of ours is facing the foe in a far-off land, and there is no other direction in which we may look. Our men go with the banner to the music of guns; we stand at home and face, hot the guns, but a group of fiddlers ! Our thoughts, our prayers, nevertheless should be the same as theirs. Our silent prayer, however brief, should be for Victory. Let us always utter it, one and all, while “The StarSpangled Banner” is being played. “God give us Victory!”