The Chemawa American, June 01, 1915, Page 14, Image 16

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THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
ality that is our great obligation as a neutral people. Sometimes our i
sympathy outruns our reason. But even those of you who may sympa
thize with Germany, will agree with the principle that it is not right for
a nation to utilize her power solely for her own advantage. For the
German "Kultur" I have the greatest admiration. In science, art and
letters, as well as in efficiency, she has lifted herself in the memory of
a generation to a position of pre-eminence among the nations of the
world. Her achievements in every field of human accomplishment com
mand our instant respect but she has lived for herself. Her national
strength has been bent solely upon self-aggrandizement. Her ideal, if
I am permitted to understand it, is for a Germany that will grow great
er at the expense of other peoples less aggressive, less vigorous, less
fortunate.
Germany is not alone in this error. Indeed I am not at all sure that
Great Britain, in her assumption of suzerainty of the seas, may not have
been the inspiration for Germany's ambition. Russia and France are
by no means blamelesss, and the entrance of Italy iuto the war, so far as
I can discover, is prompted by no considerable motive except that of
national aggrandizement. '
I know that this is the history of nations. I know that might has
ever strengthened itself at the expence of the weak. But is there no
other way? Must selfishness always be supreme?
It would seem to be a fair analogy, that a nation is like an individual,
subject to the same general laws and principals that govern the growth
and conduct of an individual. Now the first law of life is self-preservation.
The very first thing a human being has to learn is to keep him
self alive, to protect himself from dauger, to provide for himself food
and shelter. In a very real sense a man's first obligation is to himself.
But in this the man animal is no higher than the beasts of the field.
Again, the man finds himself the member of a family, and to that group
or to individuals of that group, he recognizes an obigation. He works
for them, fights for them, is ready if need be to die for them. This is
praiseworthy, of course, but it represents no high order of unselfishness.
We find the same thing among the brutes. In a more advanced state,
a man and his family recognize their interrelation to larger groups, as
neighborhoods, communities and states. This we call loyalty,' or, if ap
plied to the nation, patriotism. Devotion to country is the greatest
loyalty and has ever inspired men to the highest thoughts and actions
The word patriotism, loyalty to America, brings a glow to our eye
and a warmth to our heart.
So far has the man progressed in this process of socialization. He
has recognized himself as a member of a family, a tribe, and then of
larger groups, finally merging into the great nation of modern times.