BACKING UP THE FLAG
Loyalty is one of those three-syllable words with a big meaning all
its own. Out of the letters composing it can be spelled two other
words--the preposition _to_; and the adverb _all_. _Loyalty to
all_--everything worth while; our country, our homes, our government,
and the friends we have “and their adoption tried.” It seems a shame
to hear this fine word used in any other connection, such as “loyal to
the gang”--“loyal to his confederates”--“loyal to the enemy.” It is too
fine a word to be employed in a manner possessing the significance of
the word “traitor.”
Now that the word _loyalty_ has come back into such vast everyday
usage, the time is ripe to nail it down hard and fast to the principles
for which it stands. Why not say “he was in cahoots with the
gang”--“false to his constituency”--“dishonest with his confederates?”
Then, in our mind’s eye, let us hang the word _loyalty_ alongside of
the _flag_ and keep it there for all time.
As I write this chapter, keeping in mind the subject of _Making Life
Worth While_, a feeling of serenity pervades my inner consciousness. I
believe that loyalty practically reigns supreme in America. I believe
that the fifty-fifty variety has become scarcer than hen’s teeth when
measured by the whole citizenship. Only among the unenlightened, the
profligates, the misanthropes and _enemy aliens_, are they bound to be
found at all.
Thanks to governmental efficiency during times most trying, the
searchlight has been turned upon the meaning of the word loyalty in
this country. The flag symbolizes it and it hangs everywhere. We take
off our hats to it when we pass it on the street, and when we hear the
songs that match it we join our voices with the rest.
To love the flag is a _soul_ quality and when the souls of a hundred
million strong go out in support of the _Stars and Stripes_ there is
mighty little standing room for _the mere onlooker_.
_He is either with us or against us_--that’s the slogan that thins the
ranks of the unbelievers in our country. It makes them sit up and stare
at the truth. It makes them blink their eyes in wonder, which is first
aid in thinking things over. It causes them to look around and compare
their standpoint with that represented by the _Star Spangled Banner._
In taking stock of the situation here is what they found to be
true--that this great country stands for peace--not only for itself,
but its neighbors all over the world. That peace is so desirable, and
so essential that it is worth fighting for to the _last man_ and the
_last dollar_. That without peace nothing counts as of value in the
entire inventory of things worth while and, therefore, nothing remains
but to fight--_and to a finish_.
[Illustration: Companions]
When your Uncle Sam rolls up his sleeves preparatory to a scrap he
begins to take on size that distinguishes him from the ordinary
fighter. He goes about it methodically, and allows himself the proper
time in which to get in readiness. Then he takes a running jump into
the middle of the ring. After this the disinterested onlooker isn’t
long in catching the fact that, as a mere matter of discretion, it is
far better to be _with_ Uncle Sam than to be _against_ him. Also it
must creep into his mind that if he doesn’t want to be _smashed_ into a
proper state of mind, the best thing to do is to _join in and help_.
If a hundred million people want peace bad enough to fight for it, both
for themselves and their neighbors, it isn’t for _slackers_ either in
thought or in spirit to stand on the side lines and watch the scrap.
People of that mould do not belong in America.
Everybody must do his part and do it right. There are thousands of ways
of helping on toward victory. There is more than one way of fighting.
The most potent of all is to _back up the man who does_--except, of
course, when his time comes, every man capable of pulling a trigger
must pick up his pack and take his place _on the firing line_.
Meanwhile it behooves _all of us_ to be ready for the call.
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