Patriotism by Rule.
The government discovered one year that no fewer than sixty-six different sizes of flags were being bought by the different departments. Thereupon the President issued an order laying down only twelve sizes, and all flags manufactured for the nation must be of these sizes, and of no other dimensions.
That is as it should be. If the nation can specify the colors of the flag, the numbers of red and white stripes and their order, and the number and arrangement of the stars, it can also specify the size of the flag, for that is as important a matter as the design.
Patriotism is an affair of the heart, but also of the head. It is an emotion, but a regulated emotion. Lawless patriotism, patriotism that follows merely individual caprice, comes close to the anarchy which is the opposite of patriotism. If a man will not submit his whim to the control of his fellow citizens and of the properly constituted authorities, he is no fit member of that great human partnership called a nation. His place is on a desert island, where he can wave any sort of banner that suits his fancy.
O-Faa-O.
I like games. I think there is no one whom I really envy quite so much as the inventor of a good game. But I have seen one on exhibition (before the Great War) whose principle does not commend itself to me in the least.
It consisted of a frame, along the top of which were placed a number of tiny flags—British, German, French, Russian, and so on. Each flag was fastened to a projection below in such a way that, if this projection was hit, the flag would drop. At the left of the frame was an American flag, larger than the others, but down nearly to the ground. If the projection beneath this flag was hit, the flag rose immediately to the top of its tiny staff, high above the others.
The game was played thus: A ball was taken and rolled toward the first foreign flag on the right. If the projection was hit, and the flag fell, the player scored ten victories, and could roll toward the next one. So it went, till all the foreign flags were down, when the player had the right to roll at the American flag, which, if he was successful, rose promptly on high, while the successful player shouted in triumph, "O-Faa-O," which is, being interpreted,
OUR FLAG ABOVE ALL OTHERS.
Well, the very essence of jingoism is in that game. It illustrates about as thoroughly as anything I have ever seen, even in the comic cartoons, the abominable theory that everything in our country is good and everything in other lands is inferior; and that it is a patriotic duty to run all other nations down, and our nation up. I am a loyal American—far too loyal to permit, without a protest, such foolish spread-eagleism as that,—a conceit which makes any American that cherishes it and expresses it the laughing stock of all well-informed men.
If you want a little food for reflection, my brethren, just place in thoughtful contrast these two mottoes:
"O-Faa-O—Our Flag above all Others," and "The last shall be first, and the first last."
"No Rent; Take It."
Those words of Henry Ford's will become historic as an expression of prompt and ungrudging patriotism.
The famous manufacturer, whose exertions in behalf of peace, noble if Quixotic, are well known, immediately upon our declaration of war with Germany devoted himself as ardently to the task of winning a speedy victory. He offered to assist the Administration in any way he could; so when a location was sought for a terminal supply station, and his great automobile assembling plant in Boston was reported as most suitable, the government telegraphed Mr. Ford asking if the building could be obtained and what the rental would be. As quick as lightning came the reply, "No rent; take it."
It would not be easy for Mr. Ford to find space for his automobile assembling, and the removal of his plant would be costly and troublesome; but the manufacturer did not stop to consider that. His answer was characteristic of the man, and largely characteristic also of our American people. Our best is at the service of our country: "No rent; take it."