The Sokol idea has become a part of the Czech essence, a characteristic trait of the Czech soul, which in foreign lands manifests itself by the foundation of Sokol societies wherever a greater number of Czech kinsmen are settled. A great number of such societies were founded by Czechs in France, Germany and in the Slavonic lands; and the Sokol societies of the Czechs in America have attained an imposing development wherever they were founded early. They exist almost in every state of the Northern Union.
The Sokols, in their progress, took care to remain on neutral ground and especially avoided political currents and influences, bearing in mind its all-national mission and the high aims set up far above temporary questions and interests. It is true that from time to time there appear some attempts to draw the Sokols into the turmoil of daily conflicts or to make use of the powers associated with them, but the devotion of the men and the sense of duty always succeeded in frustraining such attempts and in preserving for them a platform elevated above partisanship.
The Sokol cause, therefore, serves the whole nation, its destination is to support its life, to make progress possible and to adapt its capabilities to the attainment of a powerful future. This conviction as yet rules the whole camp and directs all its steps; its spirit breathes in every one of its undertakings, in its entire press and primarily in every periodical of the Sokols. It its the concern of the Sokol Union to preserve this ideal character and aim. As long as it faithfully executes these prescripts and is led by enlightened and progressive men, without regard to temptations and without yielding to exterier pressure, it will be able to fulfil its noble mission to the nation and to secure for itself the merit of further development and progress.
