Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-17
FALSE PATRIOTS AND CLAnIOROUs
DEMAGOGUES-TH TRIBUNE.

Many articles in this world are dear. Eggs
are always dear at christmas, and chickens in
the first Of the chicken season. But, however
high, meats, birds, fish, and vegetables may be
there is one commodity that is always cheap
patriotism. It costs literally nothing. It does
not cost money for the poorest sot in the low
est groggery, who has not copper to invest
in a dram of that nauseating kind of whisky
known by name neither decent poetical nor
euphonical, can beat up due quantity Of pa
triotsm. II does not demand virtue; for the
greatest scamp may be the greatest patriot,
and we have high authority for so saying. DR..
johnson has said shat patriotism is the last
refuge Of a scoundrel." 1t does not require
intelligence; for the biggest fool is most apt to
be the most clamorous patriot.
But there are two kinds Of patriotism: one
is real, the other fictitious; one the virtue itself,
the other an imitation Of it; one the true coin,
the other its counterfeit. The first is a senti-
ment, an affection it is honest, genial, pure,
and uncalculating The last is trade full Of
tricks, devices, deceits, and frauds.
Whilst pure patriots are scarce, false patriots
are abundant; and the fewer real patriots there
are, the greater is the number Of spurious pa
triots
The country is now troubled with a swarm
OF these false patriots, who are indignant at,
and because of what they call the Nebraska
iniquity. They keep themselves and their
nelghbors in ferment Of yirtuous passion.
They invoke the aid Of noisy meetings, of pull
pit fulminations, and Of abolition fanaticisln.
AT the head of these people stands Horace
Greeley, the editor Of the NdDTYork Tribune
Who is Mr.. Greeley? What sacrifices has he
ever made for his country, that he should set
up for SO flaming patriot? In what battles has
he signalized his prowess and his courage, that
he should be q notable captain and leader?
We have always heard Of him as a man with
out fixed and steadfast principle We have
always heard of him as reyiler of the best
men OF the country, an enemy to the Constitu-
ton, dsorganizer a leveller, and a rank abo-
lltionist. A canting hypocrite, he pretends
to love religion, while he sows broadcast over
the land ideas and doctrines at variance with
religion. He talks Of patriotism, while he
manifests deep-rooted hatred of his country, by
seeking to array brother against brother, and
the north against the south; and, to get rid
of some Of the settled institutions Of the country,
he would even destroy that country itself. He
talks of philanthropy, when no one that we have
ever seen could tell Of one good disinterested
act that he has done. He talks Of peace, when
he is ever seeking TO raise up mobs, excite
public disturbances, and embrol members of
Congress in difficulties and quarrels.
He is the head devil Of maleyolent malcon.
tents, not one of whom that we know Of has
ever done aught for his country. He is a great
abolitionist; he is the captain-general Of that
band. Who can point to one single abolitionist
who has done great or disinterested act in
the councils of his country, or has contributed
to that countrys glory, by gallant and heroic
services in the field? Is there one single abo-
luton general colonel, captain, lieutenant or
sergeant? Is there one single abolition SOL
der that the country knows of and that the
country honors?
No; when men become aboltionists, they lose
their manhood, because they lose their virtue.
But that sainted patriot, that august philoso-
pher, that great philanthropist, Horace Greeley,
is outraged by the Nebraska bill. BE is filed