80 State Papers and Addresses

ideals and loyalties described by the word "Americanism. " It is to the benefit
of all of us that celebrations such as this should be had.

As the chosen servant not only of this people, but of all the people of
our Commonwealth, I consider it a high privilege, therefore, as well as a
pleasure, to be present with you, and by that presence give approval to your
effort and its aims.

No community or people, large or small, can afford to neglect paying
homage from time to time to the ideals and the traditions which have fructified
the soil from which they sprang. When a man or a people begins to neglect
his or its traditions, the process of decay has already begun. It is the love of
tradition that feeds the soul of a people, and differentiates it from the com-
mon mass. From time immemorial, common meeting for the purpose of re-
dedication to the morals and ideals of their kind has ever been the characteristic
of the leaders of the race.

It seems to me, therefore, that you have done well to dedicate, as you
have, these days to such a purpose. Amidst so many powerful distractions,
and the undertow of so many contrary influences, both national and inter-
national, it may well be that it is not only helpful, but necessary, that we as a
people should "stop, look, and listen"—stop, look at the vast change taking
place around us—listen for the snarl of danger to our institutions. So to do
carries with it, by contrast, a renewed appreciation of our institutions and our
ideals.

In many parts of the world—through the realms of several great nations
a common meeting such as this would not be possible. At any rate, at such a
meeting free utterance and open assertion would not be allowed. Amongst
tens of millions of the world's population the means of communication and
information, such as the press and the radio, have been restricted to a point
where the same are used for the dissemination of information of only a
particular kind. Facts are outlawed. Great segments of historic people are
persecuted because of their difference of race and their method of worship.
Set over against such a condition, how extraordinarily free are the American
people. How grateful we should be for the blessings our great Nation has
secured to, and preserved for us.

It is true that all is not perfect with our way of life. These very freedoms
extended to us by our laws and polity are grossly abused by many in our midst
—yet in sum -how glad and thankful we should be.

"Americanism, " as the many thousands of loyal Legionnaires know, means
attachment or loyalty to the United States, its traditions, its interests, its
ideals. It is in that sense that every lover of his soil and the institutions under
which he lives, can be depended upon to respond and approve. Unfortunately,
we are compelled to bear in mind, however, that there is always the possibility
of attempt at misdirection and false application. The thoughtful patriot will,
therefore, keep close watch on those, who, for ulterior reasons, seek by its
use to cover practices which they cannot otherwise justify.

When, then, you notice an effort being made, under the cloak of the word
"Americanism, " to create division and the penalization of any portion of our
people on the ground of race, color, or creed, you should voice instant condem-
nation. Intolerance is intellectual and spiritual poison. Where it exists to any
wide degree, charity cannot thrive or grow, and justice is a stranger except to