Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 260, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1920 — Americanism [ARTICLE]

Americanism

By LEONARD WOOD

CitiMßß by birth or choico of a common country, that country baa a right to concontrato your affections.—George Weahington’s Farewell Address. George Washington made no distinction so far as citizenship was concerned between the native bora and the foreign born American. In the words quoted from his farewell address be takes It for granted that both are alike In their heart devotion to the common country. Washington shows by the other words of the sentence quoted that America should not be dependent upon the "whim of love” of Its citizens, native born or foreign born, but* that It has a right to demand loyalty and concentration of affection. _ There are saen today who seemingly believe that, even though living under the protection of a land enjoying Its beneficent laws and Its opportunities, they may or may noL as they will, yield to It ’unswerving loyalty. The country has become their own either by birth or by their expressed desire through the processess of naturalization. if they do not like It they can leave It but while they are citizens by birth or by choice, the country hAs a right to their loyal service. Washington’s words are a compelling ghapter head for a lesson in Americanization. There are some men, and wbmen too,* who in this day take a light view of the sacredness of the ties of countig. The masses of Amer*' leans of course are patriotic and the word covers the entire field of tion, but there are those here and tbere. in considerable numbers in some places, who plead what ■ might be called a self-determination of conduct and who would loose themselves and try to loose others from the bonds which hold them to their duty to the country. Washington 'believed in the future of his country. He knew how well the Fathers had builded and he believed that the foundation and structure would withstand the assaults of time and human enemies. Recently the assaults* have become more, persistent and more vicious. The assailants are not Americans even though they may have been born here or may have come here to go through the mockery of acquiring citizenship. It is something tor Americans to know the nature of the ehemy in order that they may overcome him. ■ J

A card has been received from William Eigelsbach, who Went to Olene, Ore., several weeks ago for a visit, in which he states that he will be home about the fifteenth of November, and asking that a football uniform be ready for him upon his airrival. Bill has been hunting wild game in Oregoh, but states that his first love, football, has such a hold on him that he can no longer resist it. As a result of his announcement Rensselaer football stock has soared considerable. Eigelsbach was twice selected as allstate higl? school quarterback and is perhaps the greatest quarterback ever turned out by Rensselaer.