Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1917 — MR. STOKES ON PATRIOTISM [ARTICLE]

MR. STOKES ON PATRIOTISM

In closing a speech before the New Haven Knights bf Columbus last Wednesday evening. Secretary Stokes, according to the local newspapers, received a rousing welcome ■when he said: "This is not a time when any American citizen can be indifferent; we should all be positively helpful and constructive ih our points of view and actions. We should not spend most of our time in bitterly condemning Germany or in criticizing the administration for things that it might have done and did not do earlier, but we should rather see how we can at this time render the most positive help to our country and the world. I, of course, approve the President's message to the senate last week. I breathed moral indignation Without bitterness, patriotism without jingoism, firm determination without vain 'boasting. Let us imitate its restrained yet positive attitude, and prepare with cool heads to make our nation help to hasten the day of a just ami righteous peace. I earnestly hope that the breach in diplomatic relations made necessary in the interest of international morality and law', and of national self-respect, will be effective in bringing the German government back to its senses, and consequently will not have to be followed by actual hostilities. But whatever the crisis brings forth, 1 leel sure that all patriotic citizens will stand together in supporting the government, and in helping to create a public opinion which will leave this nation after the European war in a position where its whole emphasis in international affairs will be positive, constructive, and altruistic in trying to work out some effective plan for a lasting world peace based on justice."