Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-11-02
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.v-avurreIv matters where man Is born,
whether amid The frost and snow OF Pola re-
giuns, or in Southern cimcs, where the vcrdure
Of earth is perennial, he loves, and 10 the latest
hour of his lite will love- his native land. 1t
may be bleak and nhospitablc; its government
may be oppressive ; still he cIings to the soil on
which he was born with an unflllering affection,
and whhersoever he may 60 into other and
more beautiful countries, his memory in waking
hours and in dreams wanders to his chdhood's
home-he loves it though it exhiles him, and is
proud of its name and fame. while its yoke sits
calling on his neck. Love of country is life
implanted sentiment, belonging alike to the
rudcst savage and tho most polished civilized
men.
And it is beautiful orddance in our nature
that we are all pcrvaded by this sentiment
From This springs the fraternity of race and ma
tion the cohesion of individuals into communl-
ties, and the inclination of communities to
"loca habtalion and name." From this, too,
spring the strongest manifestations OF brother.
hood-man caring first for himself, family and
kindred then for the community and nation to
which he belongs Through this isolated fra
ternity, man, rising in intelligence, extends the
brotherhood Of communities to the human race.
From this too, springs patriotism, which,
without country endcared by peculiar assocla.
tions to love and defend, would not exist. 1t
man was bound in mind and heart TO peculiar
spot of earth ; if the birthplace, the hearths, the
altars, and the graves of kindred were no bond,
his sentiment, from first to last, would be unmitl-
gated seIfishness, and instead of meeting and
defying danger by his hearth and altar, he would
hy to other spaces of earth. He would be con-
tinually a wanderer-a nomad-carclcss where
he pitched his tent, or where his grave was
scooped.
And since this sentiment is so strong, so es-
senial, and so beautiful for the development
and brotherhood of our common race, how
steadily intelligent people and nations should
strive to render their homes-their countries
worthy of their love and praise. The Roman
of to-day is abject and bowed down, because
his country is desecrated and shorn of the benu-
ty and glory which inspired the conquering le-
gions of the Caesars. He may love his country
as deyotedy as did Fabius or Bruus, but 1t
is not the love which springs from pride in her
power, her virtue and her greatness; it is rather
Il love compounded of grief and pity that she
has so degenerated The virtue and patriotism
of people depend much upon the condition oil
the country to which they belong. 1t may be
easy to-day 10 impose letters upon the inheritors
of The eternal city," but the world could not
enslavo Roman in the age of Coroanus.
But the love of country simply is not enough
to inspire the nobIest patriotism; it must, to
stimulate the loftiesL virtue and heroism, be
love born of a just pride. 1t must be love
that will not permit people to forego the
guardianship Of their own soil, institutions and
laws. A love that will make them eternally
yigilant in the defence of their own hearths
aliars and graves. A love, jealous as devoted
and relying upon native hands and hearts, and
not upon foreign auxiliaries-upon, Pr1tor!ar
Guards. A people may be hospitablo and give
shelter as they will, but the sword, the treasure
and the laws of their land must not be placee
in the hands of strangers. All history, in inc
radicable lines, is craven with warning TO thi:
end.-Now York Mirror.