Askov American

In a shipyard last summer I heard a highly educated I. W. W. say that the United States had no right to send an army to France. When asked the reason for his statement he replied, "Because it is against the constitution to send an army to Europe." This was quite a revelation to me so I asked him what part of the constitution that was written. "Why," was the astonished answer, "the Monroe Doctrine, of course!"

Here was a young man who was born in the United States and who had not yet learned what was written in the constitution. This brand of citizen is the most dangerous that we have to contend with, because the foreigner looks to the native born for an example of what an American ought to be. This is the type he meets at his work, and what an example he is!

This then is the condition with which we must contend. How are we to meet and defeat it? We must study our history and our constitution so that we may better understand the principles of our government. Then we must convey to these ignorant citizens this knowledge by example as well as precept. In this manner they will be inspired with the true American spirit which they will pass on to their fellow workmen.

It is the duty as well as the privilege of every citizen to vote. We must by intelligent voting, teach the value of the ballot and thus show the ignorant the way towards salvation of the nation.

This then is the method by which we are to defeat this ignorance, by careful and intelligent investigation, clear thinking, and finally by decisive action on all public questions by the citizens who believe in the United States and her government.