PATRIOTISM RIDICULED AND DESPISED
Though it is evident that there can be no patriotism in men who are doing their utmost to overthrow our government by stirring up cla.s.s-hatred and inciting rebellion, still most of the citizens of our country have never realized the extent to which Socialists ridicule and despise patriotism and abhor its very name.
"The Call," September 25, 1912, in answering the charge that Socialism undermines patriotism, says: "So it does, and is proud of it, if by patriotism is meant that mawkish sentiment which causes a man, for the sum of $15 a month, to go out and get himself killed in defense of a country of which he owns not a single foot and can never hope to own any. If a wage slave is paid only enough to live on, anyhow, what difference to him does it make whether his boss is a Britisher or a Chinaman?"
The Socialists often succeed in stirring up violence during strikes to develop the spirit of revolt; then, when it becomes necessary for the state to protect the lives and property of its citizens, the lovers of rebellion and disorder do their utmost to incite hatred and contempt against the soldiers who are sent to preserve order.
On February 10, 1912, there appeared in "The Call" an article which reads as follows:
"The capitalist cla.s.s, alarmed at the amazingly rapid growth of anti-militarism in this country, is endeavoring, through church and government, to combat this just sentiment, and by law and precept to create an artificial respect and love for the soldiers" uniform and the American flag.
""Respect the uniform, honor the flag," is their cry, and they are foolish enough to believe that if they raise their voices loud enough, we, the workers, will become infected by their fict.i.tious enthusiasm, and shout with them.
""Honor the uniform!" Oh, surely! Honor the trappings and gold lace with which they are dressing up their weak-minded scabs! Honor the uniform which has the power to transform a decent but ignorant boy of the working cla.s.s into an unthinking savage, who would, if ordered to do so by a superior in rank, shoot down his aged father or kill his sister"s unborn child with a bayonet thrust, should they happen to be on strike and crying aloud for a little more bread, warmer clothing and better shelter. Honor the uniform? No, spit on it! Make it a shame and a reproach until a worker who wears it will not dare to show his face among decent working people.
Honor the uniform! Honor that which gives a free license to kill, if the victim happens to be a worker? Honor that which stands for oppression, for the loafer against the worker, for the master against the slave? Honor that which causes a worker to become a traitor to his cla.s.s, to forget his ties of blood, and for pay to deliver himself over body and soul to his natural enemy, the capitalist cla.s.s? Honor the Judases, the Benedict Arnolds of the working cla.s.s? Our masters insult us by even asking such a thing.
"Shall we honor the Ma.s.sachusetts militiamen who, without the slightest provocation, murdered a young worker? Is that what you want us to do, you capitalists, you cardinals and presidents? You ask too late, for we already despise and loathe your decorated hirelings, and are, as time pa.s.ses, making it more difficult for you to recruit our decent boys and transform them into loathsome parasites."
On May 6, 1919, millions of New Yorkers enthusiastically welcomed the 77th Division of our soldier boys on their return home from the battle-fields of Europe. Glowing descriptions of the celebration appeared in nearly all the papers of the Metropolis. A contemptible account, however, was published the next day in "The Call," showing the scornful spirit of the Socialists toward the millions of American troops who made so many sacrifices for their country in the late war. The article in "The Call" runs as follows:
"Rows and Rows and Rows and Rows and Rows of "Em March
"_Folks Cheered 77th Division which Finally Changed From Toys Into Folks, Too._
"A row of mounted police rode up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A man carrying a banner on which were the words and figures, "77th Division," marched up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A band played all the way up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A line of soldiers walked up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A second line of soldiers walked up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A third line of soldiers walked up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A fourth line of soldiers walked up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"A soldier carrying a service flag walked up Fifth avenue yesterday.
"One soldier wore khaki and carried a steel helmet on his shoulder.
"A second soldier wore khaki and carried a steel helmet on his shoulder.
"A third soldier wore khaki and carried a steel helmet on his shoulder.
"A fourth soldier wore khaki and carried a steel helmet on his shoulder.
"They marched precisely.
"They marched steadily.
"They marched firmly.
"They marched in silence.
"The crowds cheered.
"The crowds waved flags.
"The crowds did not fill the stands.
"The crowds applauded.
"The police kept the waves of humanity back.
"The police did not have much trouble.
"The police permitted the crowd to cheer.
"The police permitted the crowds to wave flags.
"Soldiers of the 77th Division marched up Fifth avenue yesterday, and when they had done marching they broke ranks and greeted their friends and relatives who had not seen them since they went to war.
"A mother greeted her son with kisses and tears.
"A mother greeted her son with kisses and tears.
"A mother greeted her son with kisses and tears.
"Change the word "mother" to sweetheart, brother, sister, and keep on repeating until "father" is reached and then change "kisses and tears" to "smiles and cheers.""