Why Defend the Nation?/Foreword

by Frank David Ely

FOREWORD

“AFTER the manner of our forefathers” is inspirational to patriotic Americans. I know of no finer motto to point these humble thoughts on my country's faults, needs, and glories.

The lifeblood of the Republic is education; and more especially the thorough understanding and correct evaluation throughout the masses of the people of those principles and ideals of free government for the sound establishment of which our forefathers fought and died on the battlefield, and adherence to which has made America truly great.

We cannot draw blood from a turnip. Mediocrity and superficiality are crimes when caught in high places. Truth is mighty, but requires dissemination ⟨so⟩ that it may exert a free influence. The principles which govern advertising in business apply with no less qualifications than those requisite in the high professions and in representative business can possibly fit men to hold public office. We must inculcate American traditions and ideals in our present and in our oncoming generations to the end that they too shall prize freedom and liberty above all other earthly gifts, and shall ever guard them as precious treasures. For even as we ourselves prize and live this inestimable heritage of ours may we rest assured that our children, and our children's children, shall likewise cherish and enjoy its blessings.

In all the real tests of her manhood America has stood staunch and unyielding. Great dangers are easier of national recognition, diagnosis, and vigorous treatment than is the insidious decay which threatens even in our outward prosperity. The why of America lies in her traditions and ideals, which must ever be preserved.

On additional duty as Reserve Affairs Officer in the Sixth Corps Area I learned that the building up of the Reserves is best accomplished by the border work of building National Defense; and the latter term is really synonymous with “Americanism.” The hearty assistance and loyalty given in this work by over eight thousand Reserve officers in the States of Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, together with the active support received from the press, have encouraged this wider effort to get the message home to the youth of the whole country. Our boys of today will tomorrow be holding the helm of the good ship Destiny, America, Unltd., and every good American should do all he can to insure fair sailing.

If these pages may arouse some added fulfillment of the need for intelligent, well directed, and sustained effort to instruct over youth in the value of their great heritage, thus insuring a sounder basis for the forming of true individual American opinion on all the great questions where these successively arise as the years roll on, then will they have accomplished the author's fondest hopes and desires.

Frank D. Ely.

Chicago, Illinois,
January 1, 1924.