1919 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1919 Yearbook
Description
They have both pledged their loyalty to the same end and their
utual interests are becoming better understood. Capital and labor seem
to have caught up the democratic spirit, that teaches render to every man
his due. The sacrifices for democracy of the world in a political way are
bringing along with them the democratization of industry. But this
democratization of industry is not fostering Socialism. The war is not
augmenting the forces that subscribed to Socialist principles but it is
rather diminishing them. For Socialism, like Prussianism, makes the
individual a slave to the state and the question of slavery was settled forever in this country by the blood of the heroes of '61 and '65.
Socialism as it is today is but the last hymn of hate, having for its predominant notes disloyalty to democracy or misunderstanding of its cause.
It is not Socialism, the doctrine, that is today receiving Socialist ballots,
but is the issue of treason and disloyalty which because of their false face
and evil deeds, makes a very good ally to real Socialism. But such propaganda cannot long survive. The honesty of our cause and the truth of our
purpose will and must come to light, the deceits and trickery of a thousand
kaisers, and the crait and treason ox the dwindling army under the red flag
of Socialism can not and must not conceal trom any man the dignity of the
greatest cause that has ever called a nation to arms.
The hymns of hate must be silenced forever. The autocratic leaders of militarism must retract their steps across the Rhine and remake
their government, so that the illusion that "Might is Right" may be
replaced by the democratic ideals of justice, liberty and equality to all.
As this nation could not endure half free and half slave, so, too, this world
is not safe half autocratic and half democratic; where justice on the one
side is opposed by power, on the other, there can be no peace nor safety
for civilization. JNot until the democratic ideal is established will war end.
Many sacrifices are yet required. Distressing news may come to our own
homes, but when we consider that we are fighting to preserve on earth the
same ideal, that caused God to become man to, establish, there comes to us
higher and sweeter consolation. A consolation that fills us with the ideals,
that inspired the conception ox our great republic, a consolation that makes
us lilt our eyes to the flag and read in its majestic colors a message that
is music to the soul. Ihe white of that flag sings of purity—purity of
individuals and purity ox ideals. The blue bids us be devoted to these
ideals, to love and cherish them. And the red of it instills in us the will
to do and die that these ideals may be always and everywhere respected
and preserved. The red, the white, and the blue blending together their
sweet messages of purity, devotion and patriotism ring forth, not a note
of a hymn ox hate, but the sweet music of the greatest hymn of all time,
"Peace on earth, good will among men." .Oh! it is the echo of this hymn,
radiating Irom the flag as it waves today over the ships on the sea and
from every cottage and mansion on the land, that fills us, in the words of
our President, "With the firm conviction and sincere trust that America
has lifted high the light which shall shine unto all generations and guide
the feet of mankind to the goal of justice and liberty and peace."
utual interests are becoming better understood. Capital and labor seem
to have caught up the democratic spirit, that teaches render to every man
his due. The sacrifices for democracy of the world in a political way are
bringing along with them the democratization of industry. But this
democratization of industry is not fostering Socialism. The war is not
augmenting the forces that subscribed to Socialist principles but it is
rather diminishing them. For Socialism, like Prussianism, makes the
individual a slave to the state and the question of slavery was settled forever in this country by the blood of the heroes of '61 and '65.
Socialism as it is today is but the last hymn of hate, having for its predominant notes disloyalty to democracy or misunderstanding of its cause.
It is not Socialism, the doctrine, that is today receiving Socialist ballots,
but is the issue of treason and disloyalty which because of their false face
and evil deeds, makes a very good ally to real Socialism. But such propaganda cannot long survive. The honesty of our cause and the truth of our
purpose will and must come to light, the deceits and trickery of a thousand
kaisers, and the crait and treason ox the dwindling army under the red flag
of Socialism can not and must not conceal trom any man the dignity of the
greatest cause that has ever called a nation to arms.
The hymns of hate must be silenced forever. The autocratic leaders of militarism must retract their steps across the Rhine and remake
their government, so that the illusion that "Might is Right" may be
replaced by the democratic ideals of justice, liberty and equality to all.
As this nation could not endure half free and half slave, so, too, this world
is not safe half autocratic and half democratic; where justice on the one
side is opposed by power, on the other, there can be no peace nor safety
for civilization. JNot until the democratic ideal is established will war end.
Many sacrifices are yet required. Distressing news may come to our own
homes, but when we consider that we are fighting to preserve on earth the
same ideal, that caused God to become man to, establish, there comes to us
higher and sweeter consolation. A consolation that fills us with the ideals,
that inspired the conception ox our great republic, a consolation that makes
us lilt our eyes to the flag and read in its majestic colors a message that
is music to the soul. Ihe white of that flag sings of purity—purity of
individuals and purity ox ideals. The blue bids us be devoted to these
ideals, to love and cherish them. And the red of it instills in us the will
to do and die that these ideals may be always and everywhere respected
and preserved. The red, the white, and the blue blending together their
sweet messages of purity, devotion and patriotism ring forth, not a note
of a hymn ox hate, but the sweet music of the greatest hymn of all time,
"Peace on earth, good will among men." .Oh! it is the echo of this hymn,
radiating Irom the flag as it waves today over the ships on the sea and
from every cottage and mansion on the land, that fills us, in the words of
our President, "With the firm conviction and sincere trust that America
has lifted high the light which shall shine unto all generations and guide
the feet of mankind to the goal of justice and liberty and peace."
Date
1919
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/4559