|
I believe in the
United States of America as a Government of the People, by the
People, for the People; whose just powers are derived from the
consent of the governed; A democracy in a republic, a sovereign
Nation of many Sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and
inseparable; established upon those principles of Freedom,
Equality, Justice, and Humanity for which American Patriots
sacrificed their Lives and Fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to Love it; to
Support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to Respect its Flag;
and to defend it against all enemies.
America's involvement in
World War I was a difficult and divisive issue for our Nation.
President Wilson had struggled for three years since the
outbreak of hostilities in August, 1914 to maintain a position
of American neutrality towards the European conflict. This
effort to distance our Nation from European affairs was
disturbed on May 7, 1915 when a German U-boat sank the unarmed
British liner Lusitania killing more than 1,000 people including
128 Americans.
By 1917 it was becoming increasingly apparent that American
neutrality could no longer be maintained. President Wilson went
before Congress to request a Declaration of War with these
words:
"The world must be made safe for democracy.
It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into
war, the most terrible of wars. But the right is more precious
than the peace, and we shall fight for the things that we have
always carried nearest our hearts...for democracy...for the
rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion
of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace
and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last
free."
President Wilson's view of the United States as the stalwart of
world democracy wasn't shared by everyone, however. Six of the
96 U.S. Senators voted against the declaration of war. The House
of Representatives passed the resolution April 6, 1917, but only
after 13 hours of emotional and heated debate. Forty-nine
Congressmen and the only Congresswoman (Helen Rankin of
Montana), voted against the declaration.
By mid-summer General John J. Pershing's American Expeditionary
Force was landing in Europe. But even as Colonel Charles E.
Stanton stood before the tomb of Revolutionary War hero Marquis
de Lafayette's tomb in France to proclaim, "Lafayette, we are
here"; trouble was brewing at home. Congress' new program of
conscription under the Selective Service Act was mandating
registration for military service by every American man between
the ages of 21 and 30. Not since the Civil War had an issue
arisen to so divide our Country.
While George M. Cohan wrote patriotic songs like "Over There"
(actually penned on April 6, the same day Congress finally
passed the Declaration of War), other citizens began to protest
American involvement in "Europe's troubles" and the forced
recruitment of soldiers under the Selective Service Act. By the
summer of 1918 the war in Europe had forced the Government to
take control of industry, railroads, and food and fuel
production. Taxes were raised to fund the war, postal rates went
up, and censorship of some mail was being officially conducted.
In May Congress passed the Sedition Act which allowed war and
draft protesters to be jailed. More than 2,000 Americans were
already behind bars for interfering with the draft, including
one former United States Congressman (Victor Berger of
Wisconsin).
In the midst of all this domestic turmoil and dissension, a
Nation-wide essay contest was held to develop an American's
Creed. The winning entry was submitted by William Tyler Page of
Friendship Heights, Maryland. Mr. Page was a descendent of
President John Tyler and former Congressman John Page who served
in the House of Representatives from 1789-1797. William Tyler
Page himself had also served in Congress - - as a Congressional
Page in 1881. His winning essay established the American's
Creed.
The American's Creed defines what it means to be American, both the need
for FAITH in who and what we are as a Nation, and the
RESPONSIBILITY we all have to love and respect our Nation and
its Flag. Its message is appropriate for each generation of
Americans, but becomes even more meaningful when we understand
the historical context of its origin...written during a time of
conflict and turmoil at home and abroad.
|
