Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 251, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1920 — Americanism [ARTICLE]

Americanism

By LEONARD WOOD

Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater, perhaps, never was, nor will bo decided among men. The resolution was passed without one dissenting colony that those united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. — John Adams* Letter to his wife. IS there any one today ready to dispute John Adams* statement that the debate on the Declaration of Independence and Its outcome decided the greatest question ever raised among men? A declaration. of independence of whatever kind, provided human liberty is its basis, is a combination of Magna Charts and the BUI of Rights and all other documents containing the aspirations of a race struggling for freedom. The first words of the Declaration of Independence of the American colonies were written in spirit at Runnymede. One of the seeming contra- I dictions of history Is that America’s utterance of Its right to freedom was made to the nation which had Magna Charts as its birthright. It take* the people of all countries a long time to realise that that which

they demand for themselves other men hare an equal right to demand for themselves. This viewpoint today is established In its validity and there are few to deny its righteousness. School children in America are taught United States history. The younger children get but an outline. Frequently In the high schools, academies and even in the colleges instruction in the spirit of Americanism is

neglected. It is virtually impossible to learn the Impelling motives for the Fathers’ desire for a true Americanism unless their expressions on the subject in the great debates “In a time that tried men's souls” are. read collectively and studiously. There is in a sense a lesson in Americanism to be found in Washington. The British Embassy stands on Connecticut avenue. Almost directly in front of it is the statue of John i Witherspoon, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and one of the foremost defenders of American rights, and one of the early teachers of the true spirit of Americanisation. Representatives of Great Britain today look unconcerned on the statue of this man of revolutionary day defiance. Time has wrought spiritual as well as material changes.