1127 6+15 045 1918 THE spirit of our American Democracy is contained in that sentence of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence which declares that all men are born free and equal with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must make these rights mean, not merely the physical life which men have in common with the beasts of the field, but rather the full human life, enriched by the cultivated imagination, inspired by noble purpose, guided by trained reason, and refined by high ideals. PHILANDER T. CLAXTON United States Commissioner of Education COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY NORMA H. DEMING AND KATHARINE I. BEMIS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Riverside Press U.S.A A WORD PATRIOTISM is a virtue much seen and much heard of in these great days. Our President pleads; State Legislatures pass laws; and schools adopt courses in patriotism. Yet we should not think that the Nation has ever been anything but patriotic. The voluntary enlistment for this war of millions of men and women to serve as best each can has been so spontaneous that never again will any one question the loyalty of the American people. Love of country springs up in the hearts of men living under the sweet influence of justice and freedom as flowers bloom at the call of warm sunshine. It is the natural way of living. Unseen and unheard, subtle influences have shaped the thought and kindled the emotions of youth. As they have learned of the greatness of our country, — its wonderful production, its unrivaled manufacture, its quick advance to a position of influence among the nations, - an honest pride has made each stand taller. They have followed those little bands of pioneers, as they sifted through the Alleghanies, spread over the great central plain, climbed the Rockies to look down at last upon the great Pacific. They have heard great names Franklin, Washington, Lafayette, Lincoln, and Lee. And now in this Great War they are hearing of the heroes and songs of our Allies. They have whistled Yankee Doodle; they have marched to The Battle Hymn of the Republic or Dixie; they have sung together The Star-Spangled Banner, God Save the King, and La Marseillaise. For this land where our fathers and mothers lie buried, where our brothers and sisters live and labor, has grown up a mighty love. The heroic efforts of those at the front and the duties of those who stay at home emphasize the fact that love of country is more alive to-day than ever it was. The songs which we sing, the pieces we speak, the names which we name, their influence reaches into the heart of youth, and of all of them it makes Americans. It was a happy undertaking to bring together in this little book so many of our national stories; and children in thousands of American schools will count those days golden when they opened The Stories of Patriotism. W. F. WEBSTER Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Minneapolis |