ST. GEORGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 91, 16 April 1908, Page 7

ST. GEORGE.

The "English Race," the journal of ±3ie Royal Society of St. George, publishes the following thpughtful article upon' the aims and objects of the Society, which will be of special _ interest at this juncture, St. George's I Day falling on Wednesday next, April 23iid: — In this, the fourteenth1 year of our Society's existence, it is with pardonable pride that we look back over the long uphill road we have traversed, to find that of the seven main objects we set out to achieve all will have been more, or less successfully accomplished with the publication of this journal. It is pleasant beyond' measure to reflect -that the aims of our Societyare being realised and that its principles are surely/ if slowly, making their way throughout the length and breadfcfc of the JDmpire. We have never despaired of the ultimate triumph of those principles, because they are bust natural and must commend themselves to thoughtful minds. r We have called arpoh our countrymen, wherever dispersed, however widely separated fnom the Homeland, not to forget the race from which they sprang and iso which they are privileged to belong. We know not I what ike future may have in store i for us, and it is foolish to, shut pur eyes to possibilities. , But' we do know that, come what may, if we remain a united people, one in aim and purpose, our Empire, which has been built up mainly with English blood and treasure, w2l remain impregnable, able to withstand successfully in the future, as at has in the past,, all assasilts, itsm whatever quarter they may arise.

Come the three corners of the world in arms, And. we shall shock them: nought shall make us rue, If England to itself do rest fcut true.

We must not forget, neither need we hide the fact, that it is upon Englishmen that the great and glorious responsibility for the maintenance of the British Empire actually devolves. It is upon the broad shoulders of " the predominant partner " that the burden falls. Let us then neglect no opportunity, lose no occasion, for impressing upon our countrymen a sense, of individual responsibility arid the absolutely, vital necessity for closer communion. Let us by the practice of s patriotism, by its culture in the hearts of our children, and by encouraging mutuality of interest, so deepen the springs of fraternal regard, alike in peer and peasant, that from individual advantage may flow that greater, nobler gain, the good of all.

_We claim, and rightly so,; to be the pioneer patriotic; Society..evolved from the working of Imperialistic and racial ideals. At the time of ■ the establishment of our Society no successful organised effort had been made to. unite more closely in the bonds ;of sentiment and interest those of | our race beyond the seas; The late I Sir Walter Besant, a member of our | Council, was the first public man to i advocate, and through our Society, | the setting apart of a day of thanks- | giving, which has now been partially I brought about, so far as our children are concerned, under the name of "Empire Day." The teaching of patriotism in schools of, all grades, assisted by the display of the Empire Flag, is the only effectual antidote to red Socialism and millennial absurdities, and was, and -is, one of the cardinal objects. At first treated with derision, it is now meeting with general approval.

Within the last few years many patriotic associations have been formed, and although, some .may have armed themselves with arrows from pur quiver, we do not complain, provided they shoot straight and help •to slay the'dragon of \apathy and Little Englandism. ' While we have more affiliated branches, spread all over the world, than any of the societies alluded to,, and we make this assertion in no vainglorious, arrogant spirit, our accounts will prove that our administrative expenses are far less, and utterly out of all proportion to the success achieved. We therefore venture to hope that a sympathetic consideration of these ; facts will rally to our aid all pat- ! riotie Englishmen and women prej pared to make some slight addi- > tional sacrifice in the cause of loyI alty and patriotism—King and | country.