WHO ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS?

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If you can say yes and live yes to these questions, you are a good American.

A man born across the ocean said these words about himself and others of foreign birth who became loyal Americans:

"When I say our country, I mean the United States of America. We are Americans from the moment we touch the American shore until we are laid in American graves. We will work for our country in times of peace and fight for it in times of war. are Americans."

We

No schoolboy and no schoolgirl is too young to be a loyal and useful American citizen. Boy and girl citizens who love and serve their country will grow into the very finest kind of American men and women.

Below are some things that have been said of some of America's greatest citizens. Read each quotation very thoughtfully.

George Washington

1. There is no word spoken, no line written, no deed dɔne by him, which justice would reverse.

- GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS

2. He was scrupulously neat in his dress, and while in camp, though he left his tent at sunrise, he was usually dressed for the day.

EDWARD EVERETT

Abraham Lincoln

3. He was severe with himself, and . . . lenient with others. He cared nothing for place, but everyHe knew no fear except the

thing for principle.

· . .

fear of doing wrong.

ROBERT G. INGERSOLL

Ulysses S. Grant

4. He never betrayed a cause or a friend.

perfect command over his temper, he was never seen angry, and his most intimate friends never heard him utter an oath. NEW YORK HERALD

What lessons can American boy and girl citizens learn from each of the above quotations about a great American? Think before you answer, so that your answers may be given in correct American speech.

. III. WRITING A CITIZENSHIP PLEDGE

The things that were truly said of the four great Americans named in the last lesson may serve as helpful guides to every boy and girl who wants to become the best possible American citizen. Study those things and try writing them into a citizenship pledge for yourself.

STUDYING A POEM

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Your pledge may be as follows:

As an American citizen, I promise:

1. To speak, to write, and to act justly. (From quotation 1)

2. (What is worth following in quotation 2?)

3. (Quotation 3?)

4. (Quotation 4?)

5. (Quotation 5?)

You will perhaps want to make more than five items in your pledge. For example, quotation 3 might furnish two or even three items.

IV.

STUDYING A POEM

Read this poem silently.

The Village Blacksmith

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,

With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

His hair is crisp and black and long,
His face is like the tan;

His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate'er he can,

And looks the whole world in the face,

For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow;

You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,

Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.

And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door;

They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,

And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing floor.

He goes on Sunday to the church,
And sits among his boys;

He hears the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter's voice,

Singing in the village choir,

And it makes his heart rejoice.

It sounds to him like her mother's voice,
Singing in Paradise!

He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;

And with his hard, rough hand he wipes.
A tear out of his eyes.

PRONOUNCING CORRECTLY

Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;

Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught !
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought!

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HENRY W. LONGFELLOW

Learning the Meaning of Words

Before you can understand fully anything you read, you must know the meaning of the words used by the writer. The dictionary will give you all the help you need.

As you read the above poem to yourself, did you understand every word? Go over it again slowly and very thoughtfully. Make a list of all the words that you do not fully understand. Learn the meanings of these words from the dictionary.

V. PRONOUNCING CORRECTLY AND

SPEAKING DISTINCTLY

In reading aloud to people, you should try to do two things: (1) to make your hearers understand