This column ran July 4, 1966 on the combined Opinion pages of The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution.
The Fourth of July, 1966, is as good day as any — and better than most — on which to whet your patriotism and reaffirm your fealty to the United States of America. Regardless of what some would have you believe, patriotism has not gone out of style and they haven’t changed the words of that song to read, “Three jeers for the red, white and blah.”
Noisy minorities create a lot of clatter about the country going to pot but at the core there throbs enough patriotism to overwhelm their maniacal mouthings. The againsters are quick to criticize but slow to offer any better solutions to the nation’s problems than those presently being employed.
In some quarters it is considered good, clean fun to denigrate the President and the government he heads. This, of course, is nothing new. It has been ever thus. The party in power and the men who lead it have always been the targets for the disgruntled and defeated. The “outs” have always been ready and willing to find fault with the “ins” and there have been those on the fringe who were willing to listen and join in the cacophony.
It is axiomatic that those who pursue positive action invite criticism. Only those who do nothing escape. So it is not surprising that a government that is conducting a war abroad while attempting to improve conditions at home should receive a hammering from those free of responsibility and with time on their hands for making mischief.
It undoubtedly is discouraging for those in authority to hear themselves criticized at every turn with the “sound and fury” of disapproval constantly drummed in their ears.
On such a day as this, then, it is up to us to reaffirm our patriotism and hold with a patriot of other years that right or wrong it is our country and we should never falter in our allegiance to it.
Democracy travels a rugged road — and so it has been in the United States for almost 200 years.
There have been times when it seemed that such a system of government must surely fail but from each crisis has come new strength and the cohesive element has been “patriotism.”
It is not enough to say you love your country. You must do something about it. When questions of loyalty or disloyalty arise it is your duty to stand up and be counted on the side of those who have faith in our ultimate destiny. Don’t remain mute in the presence of those who oppose our institutions and our principles.
Let the world know that patriotism is not just a word but is something deep inside each loyal American that brings him to attention when the flag passes by and makes him uncover his head when he hears the majestic strains of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Such is the spirit of the Fourth of July. Don’t let the day pass without expressing your gratitude for being a part of this great nation and even as you enjoy its privileges don’t overlook the obligations that go with them.
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