Life, 1913-01-16 · page 9 of 40
Life — January 16, 1913 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon shows a large bear sitting with a tiny human figure nestled against it, captioned "MUSIC HATH CHARMS TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST." This illustrates the accompanying text's discussion of General John J. Pershing's order about flag etiquette. The "savage beast" appears to represent public outrage or nationalist sentiment that can be calmed through proper patriotic ceremony and music. The text debates whether prescribing rigid flag-salute rituals actually promotes patriotism or merely enforces conformity. The author argues that compulsory flag observances may backfire, irritating citizens rather than inspiring genuine devotion. The bear metaphor suggests that public passion, while powerful, can be managed through appropriate cultural performances—though the satire questions whether such artificial measures truly serve their purpose.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“MUSIC HATH CHARMS TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST” soreness to the public mind which ar- gument, so far, has not availed to medicate. Nevertheless what is, is; and though it may not be right, existence enables it to show a pretty stubborn front against theory. = = 5 O HE compliments of the season to Brigadier General John J. Persh- ing! We have received, General, from Zamboanga, Mindinao, P. I., your general order, No. 6, about the kind of respect due to the United States flag. It includes these passages: When an individual pays the pre- scribed honors to the flag in a careless and perfunctory manner his patriotism at once falls under just suspicion. It is, therefore, ordered that, during the play- ing of the national air at retreat wher- ever troops are stationed, silence will be maintained, both work ‘and play will cease, vehicles will halt and officers or enlisted men therein will alight and stand attention. Children should be taught to assume the required position of respect toward the flag, and should learn from their own parents the full meaning of this funda- mental lesson in_ patriotism. Civilians, of whatever race or nation- ality, within sight or hearing of the flag and music at retreat, will be courteously enlightened, should they fail to stand in respectful attitude, and, in any case of disrespect, the offender will be promptly escorted off the post. A rigid observance of the outward ex- pressions of devotion and honor to. the national emblem and the national air is enjoined upon all persons within this de- partment. General, you beat the school boards. Of your orders to troops as to their military deportment we have no criti- cism to offer, but permit us to dissent from your suggestion that in a civilian 153 a careless way with the prescribed hon- ors to the flag implies a lack of patriot- ism. It is more likely to imply a mere defect in formal manners, or the indi- vidual may love the flag, but sniff at the prescribed ceremonies for the very reason that prescriptions about mat- ters that may well be left to private feeling and judgment directly conflict with what the flag of the United States stands for. To our mind, General that flag stands for liberty and order, and for neither one of them at ex- cessive cost to the other. These flag honors are proper for soldiers, and for anyone else whose mood or sentiment they suit, but if you get too solicitous about them in your dealings with citi zens in general, you abridge the rea- sonable liberties of Americans, and even, we judge, of Filipinos. And do you get what you are after by these methods? Do you make the flag and its country beloved by ex- acting from “all persons” in your de- partment “a rigid observance of the outward expressions of devotion and honor to the national emblem and na- tional air”; and by enlightening civ- ilians who fail to strike an attitude when they see the flag or hear the band play, and by having them put off the grounds if they don’t respond? Those measures, in our judgment, General, are adapted to get the flag disliked by persons who would like it if it were not used to annoy them. And as for teaching children to strike the flag attitude, and having them “learn the full meaning of this funda- mental lesson,” all that is pretty if it is done with judgment, but the mo- ment you prescribe these forms a lot of goats immediately overrate their importance, and find in them an op- portunity to domineer over somebody else. In the schools here on the main- land of our scattered country little flag persecutions tend to pop up all the time, because some ass throws in com- pulsion where example and permis- sion are quite enough. For it is perse- cution when you compel reluctant per- sons to assume devotional attitudes to your flag just as it is persecution when you compel them to take part in the ceremonies of your religion And our flag does not stand for per- secution, great or petty. No, General; not on your life! comicbooks.com