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My countrymen,
the first flaming torch of Americanism
was lighted in framing the Federal
Constitution in 1787. The Pilgrims
signed their simple and majestic
covenenant a full century and a
half before, and set aflame their
beacon of liberty on the coast of
Massachusetts. Other pioneers of
New World Freedom were rearing their
new standards of liberty from Jamestown
to Plymouth for five generations
before Lexington and Concord heralded
the new era. It is all American
in the destined result, yet all
of us lacked the soul of nationality.
In simple truth there was no thought
of nationality in the revolution
for American independence. The colonists
were resisting a wrong, and freedom
was their solace. Once it was achieved,
Nationality was the only agency
suited to its preservation. Americanism
really began when robed in Nationality.
The American Republic began the
brave trail of representative popular
government. Representative Democracy
was proclaimed the safe agency of
highest human freedom. America headed
the forward procession of civil,
human, and religious liberty which
ultimately will effect the liberation
of all mankind. The Federal Constitution
is the very base of all Americanism,
the ark of the covenant of American
liberty, the very temple of equal
rights. The Constitution does abide
and ever will so long as the Republic
survives. Let us hesitate before
we surrender the Nationality which
is the very soul of highest Americanism.
This Republic has never failed humanity,
nor endangered civilization. We
have been tardy sometimes, like
when we were proclaiming Democracy
and neutrality and yet ignored our
national rights, but the ultimate
and helpful part we played in The
Great War will be the pride of Americans
so long as the world recited the
story. We do not mean to hold aloof,
we choose no isolation, we shun
no duty. I like to rejoice in an
American conscience, and in a big
conception of our obligation to
liberty, justice, and civilization.
Aye, and more, I like to think of
Columbia's helping hand to new Republic,
which are seeking the blessings
portrayed in our example. But I
have a confidence in our America
that requires no council of foreign
powers to point the way of American
duty. We wish to councel, corraborate
and contribute, but we allegate
to ourselves the keeping of the
American conscience, and every concept
of our moral obligation. It's fine
to idealize, but it's very practical
to make sure our own house is in
perfect order before we attempt
the miracle of Old-World stabilization.
Call it the selfishness of Nationality
if you will. I think it's an inspiration
to patriotic devotion to safeguard
America first, to stabilize America
first, to prosper America first,
to think of America first, to exhalt
America first, to live for and revere
America first. Let the Internationalists
dream and the Bolsheviks destroy.
God pity him for whom no [?]. In
the spirit of the Republic we proclaim
Americanism, and proclaim America.
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