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10 Si*
ularly controlled and influenced, be' cause they are called dictators and bureaucrats.
Americanism is not isolationism from the world's joys and the world's strifes. But it is protecting America from floods of destructive and ag' gressive ideas pouring in here just as much as from armies of aggressive soldiers coming to attack this continent — which our boys have gone out all over the world to protect against. Our founders did try to isolate us — not from the world, but from conquests and greeds and destructions. They thanked God and geography for aid in this. Since we certainly benefit from the ideas and work of the founders of Americanism— even if we have been here only part of one generation — it is rather important and it is but fair that we go back and examine those ideas, instead of falling victims to a propaganda of despising them— without even understanding them.
Now, Americanism in Jefferson's and Madison's day was strictly staying out of Europe's wars and fighting neither Britain nor France unless in self-protection only. Americanism in our day is standing strong and capable on our own feet to protect ourselves without having to choose the lesser of evils as an ally because we are afraid to stand alone. Added to this, Americanism is, now, even as it was to Jefferson, the constant sympathy with victims of aggression everywhere, and the constant desire to join with others who feel that way in organiz^ed efforts to protect the peaceable fellow from the man with
January, 1945"
the strong arm, on the basis of justice. — But not on the basis that might makes right, whether that be in India or in Poland or anywhere else. Americanism is the effort to create an international sense of justice expressed in an international code of law to which all nations and peoples of all colors, big and little, have equal appeal. Americanism is not the small boy spirit of joining the strongest gang just for the privilege of being a member. Let's get that straight! Instead, America is the adult spirit of saying — "I know what my conscience says. Now you join me!"
Americanism in relation to world conflicts is the willingness to take the risk in peacetime to put out small fires of strife about the world, not the indifference of waiting until wartime and then rushing into strife as our emotions dictate. Americanism is being alert and cooperative fireman in the world, not a sleepy, semi-intelligent giant to be called into action each time, to the side of those who have the strongest ties of old friendship, or are most vociferous.
As now, in and after victory, economic and political rivalries will arise between the reduced number of great world powers, particularly between Britain and Russia — this is the kind of Americanism that is going to be more precious than all the gold in Kentucky, and only a man who has never read a history and does not now read the news bulletins can believe they will not arise.