From certain sources we hear preachments about the danger of our reforms to American institutions.  What is the purpose of American institutions?  Why was this Republic established?  What does the flag stand for?  What do these things mean?

They mean that the people shall be free to correct human abuses.

They mean that men, women and children shall not be denied the opportunity to grow stronger and nobler.

They mean that the people shall have the power to make our land each day a better place to live in.

They mean the realities of liberty and not the academics of theory.

They mean the actual progress of the race in tangible items of daily living and not the theoretics of barren disputation.

If they do not mean these things they are as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.

A Nation of strong, upright men and women; a Nation of wholesome homes, realizing the best ideals; a Nation whose power is glorified by its justice and whose justice is the conscience of scores of millions of God-fearing people—­that is the Nation the people need and want.  And that is the Nation they shall have.

For never doubt that we Americans will make good the real meaning of our institutions.  Never doubt that we will solve, in righteousness and wisdom, every vexing problem.  Never doubt that in the end, the hand from above that leads us upward will prevail over the hand from below that drags us downward.  Never doubt that we are indeed a Nation whose God is the Lord.

And, so, never doubt that a braver, fairer, cleaner America surely will come; that a better and brighter life for all beneath the flag surely will be achieved.  Those who now scoff soon will pray.  Those who now doubt soon will believe.

Soon the night will pass; and when, to the Sentinel on the ramparts of Liberty the anxious ask:  “Watchman, what of the night?” his answer will be “Lo, the morn appeareth.”

Knowing the price we must pay, the sacrifice we must make, the burdens we must carry, the assaults we must endure—­knowing full well the cost—­yet we enlist, and we enlist for the war.  For we know the justice of our cause, and we know, too, its certain triumph.

Not reluctantly then, but eagerly, not with faint hearts but strong, do we now advance upon the enemies of the people.  For the call that comes to us is the call that came to our fathers.  As they responded so shall we.

    “He hath sounded forth a trumpet that shall never call retreat,
    He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat. 
    Oh, be swift our souls to answer Him, be jubilant our feet,
                    Our God is marching on.”

RUSSELL CONWELL

ACRES OF DIAMONDS[40]