570 t4 P3 >py 1 iVAR REGISTRATION DAY AND THE NEW IDEALISM BY GEORGE WILLIS PATTERSON W E DID not set this Government up in order that we might have a selfish and separate liberty, for we are now ready * * * to fight out upon the fields of the world the cause of human liberty." — Woodrou) Wilson 11570 ,? COPYRIGHTED 1917 BY GEORGE WILLIS PATTERSON m - L.7 ■QCIA468432 WAR REGISTRATION DAY AND THE NEW IDEALISM By George Willis Patterson I Birthday of larger life to all mankind, As we to all bring aid that would attain The difficult Rights our fathers died to gain. Democracy was then upon the wind A musical word, a vision of the mind, An ardent dream which men had dreamt in vain. While priest and princes forged a pitiless chain ; But seers gave weapons to the meek and blind: — And on a chartless shore, across the sea From thrones and tyranny, our fathers built A brave Republic; saintly blood was spilt Ere resolute men, whose faith had made them free, The dream achieved of true Democracy. — But Freedom's foes we strike, or share their guilt! II The Stars and Stripes, without a stain As Freedom's symbol, yet shall wear A brighter glory if we dare Our splendid duty and secure To nations, high of heart and pure, The Rights our fathers dared attain. The Stars and Stripes must take their place In mortal story as the sign Of love unselfish and divine, If yet to lands not ours we give The liberties by which men live, And share our heritage with the race. But lo, if Freedom's Flag, unfurled Afar, without aggressive aim, Kindles the heart to holy flame, — Emblem of brotherhood, since we Would smite all bonds 'till all are free, — Democracy shall save the world! Ill Our President, whose faith in durable peace Is faith in wide democracy, uprose To God's occasion: — and against the foes Of universal weal his words release The forces of ripe freedom. When shall cease The war on which his spirit doth impose A moral splendor it did not disclose 'Till he adventured, there should be increase Of liberty — unless WE fail in might, No longer mastered by the magical dreams Which made our sires the soldier-saints of light. The Banner of Democracy now gleams With promise for all peoples, nobly sent To stricken Europe by our President! IV Idealist of iron will, Whose dream is peace, whose deed is war, May battling legions hold in awe Thy vision and thy faith fulfill! Far mightier than sword or spear, Thy pen hath published a decree That bids men fight to make men free. And clouded issues now are clear. The world-wide war by thee defined. And charged by thee with purer aim, Seals up the scroll of earlier shame. And strives to liberate mankind. But when the thunderblast shall cease Of cannon and rapt silence fall, Thy hand will justice mete to all, Thy hand will then establish peace. America bears across the sea The Flag of Freedom, since thy word Hath dedicated soul and sword To shield world-wide democracy! V The New Idealism calls For more than service to the State! — No enemy is at our gate; Secure at home, to France we send Our sons her alters to defend: — Divine the duty which enthralls! Awake! America. — The heart With love of country nerves the hand Ere foes invade our native land: — But now must every bosom thrill To brotherhood, and so fulfill In Freedom's cause the finer part. The harder task of sacrifice On altars of another's weal! But France accepted the appeal Of altruism when was shed Her blood where erst our fathers bled France calls! America, arise! The New Idealism seems Strange madness to a selfish type Of statecraft: — but the time is ripe For thrones to crumble; princes fail To see that Demos must prevail, And blindly hug despotic dreams. The passion of Democracy His heart prepares whom happy Fate Elects to fashion issues great: — In spiritual force without a peer, And with the vision of the seer, His faith foredooms Autocracy. 'Tis said, the Son of Man returns: — Time's Liberator well might lead Our legions on His milk-white steed. When moving to the firm defence Of sacred Rights from violence. While Freedom's Banner o'er them burns! VI Selected Soldiers of the State, imbued With valor, love of Freedom, hardy joy In things heroic; eager to employ Young energy in martial action rude, — Let nothing mean upon the soul intrude! All discipline embrace that must destroy The laxities of peace; without alloy Of baseness keep thy dedicated mood. Aye, Volunteers in heart! — The Cause is great; The Duty is sublime. The highest thing, By man achieved, if rightly poets sing. Is LIBERTY, which Autocratic Hate Would put in bonds and basely violate: — The God of Freedom guard you 'neath His wing ! VII Though terrible is war, more awful still Would be a people selfish, chained to fears; Who, lacking fire of soul and force of will, Have lost the living faith in large ideas Which made heroic fathers, hating ill, And should their children mould to be their peers. Our people do we trust. We have not heard Their pledge, nor boast; they, rather, bide the time Of action when, by great ideals stirred. Their deed shall make the spoken truth sublime ; Our Oracles once more a flaming word. — Heights yet unwon shall Freedom with them climb ! Give place to silence ere the sun hath set On this most pregnant Day ! Names written now With ink on paper shall, anon, be met In brave memorial bronze: when soldier-vow In blood is sealed, these Names will then be wet By tears half-proud, pain furrowed on the brow. In high resolve they register today, Whose fame shall fill with music peaceful years, — Which come, as violets come, to take away The memory of wrath and pain and tears, Where heroes fell in bitter, brutal fray. — Without eclipse now Freedom's sun appears! FLAG OF THE NATIONS The Flag was hung in such a way That the soldier saw it where he lay, His wistful eyes on the window pane As it fluttered from sight and back again. Leaning to listen, beside the bed, I heard what the dying soldier said: He spake to the Flag and not to me, And his words had the wisdom of prophecy. Flag of the Nations o'er the sea. Soon will the Stars and Stripes yet be, If the truth we give that makes men free ! If we give ideals that make us great, Our liberties of church and State, And loyal love in lieu of hate. If we give not merely stintless gold; But that which alone the heart can hold, And not stay selfish and not wax cold. Not lust do we give that slowly sears. And dries the font of piteous tears, 'Till the soul is dead when Death appears. But noble aims that are ne'er the grave Of the souls that in their waters lave; Whose loss leaves poor, what else men save. Flag of the Nations! — not that we Seek possessions over the sea, Binding the world to our decree. Flag of the Nations! — welcome sign Of brotherhood, which pours the wine Of help unselfish 'till glad eyes shine. The Flag we draped upon the bier Of the soldier-bard, the soldier-seer. Who dreamed that the Stars and Stripes would be The spirit's Flag on shore or sea, — Dear to the chainless soul and mind, ''Freedom" its word on every wind; Flag of one people, — yet of all, For the truth we teach holds the heart in thrall! LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 020 933 505 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • 020 933 505