The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-06
SECRET PATRIOTISM.


There is such an excess Of affection for America and
for our country the creed and the professions
of the party whose lodges scattered over the
Union that it sometimes quite providence
that the of the public domain broad enough to
commodate it, without allowing any Of the ETHEREAL ee
ment to boil over into neghborhood plantations like Next
The evidences of this patriotic passion
Every apostle seems to have special mission and
the country We told of portendng evils
to aict people We called upon to bear witness
hosts of selsacrcing patriots We not desi-
rous Of showing the sincerity the nsncerity of these
gentlemen One thing alone is apparent aud unchal
enge and that is that all this patriotism based upon
secrecy And this suggests the question: Can patriotism
be secret Is it crime that it should be concealed Is
it like Eugene Aams offence be hidden from the eyes
and ears of men? Is it shame and stain that men
should blush t2 Is it mockery and Kissing, as
it is in the hoary despoisms of the Old Word2 The inn
mortal John Milton tells what this idea of patriotism is
The people, therefore," says Milton, lest their WORTH
and most faithful PATRIOTS, mho had exposed themselves
for the public and whon they le naked should
aid be deserted in the midst Of danger the people
multitudes though unarmed witness their fidelity and
readiness in Of violence offered to the Parliament
Here patriotism in all ages the uncompromisng
foe OF secrecy This manifestation against great
public danger 1t awoke the public heart it reused the
public arm it gave volume to the public voice; it
founded the midnight plots of King and Kaiser and it
surrounded the patriots of those stormy days
with wall of fire.
Bohngbroke says of patriotism;
Patriotism be founded great principles and sup
ported by great virtues"
Great principles secrets, any than the light
the air and the works secrets Great virtues
p.la, (
ers is justice charity, fidelity, and loyalty
Patriotism being, then among the highest Of all public
virtues, there be such thing atrotis in
free couatryf
Patriotism is political and social blessing Secrecy,
when applied to politics alone to command re-
spec but inspires dssrust and hatred Hence the idea of
secret patriotism is revolving and unnatural in repub
lie. Secrecy is main instrument of bad government
Smith, in his Wealth Of Nations says: awhen King John
of France in order pay his debts adueraed the coin
az The officers Of his mint 70 secrecy And Dry
den describes clanaesne foe Of the veal fol-
lows:
Then saw how the score, fson wrought,
And treason iaborasg ,cith traitors thought;
And ud,ee TINE ne .fernal plot murder brought"
Other illustrations may be added of familiar significance
Fancy statesman like Henry Clay, whose liberal and
lofty character made It's mark upon age Of intellectual
giants crawling along dark aud sitting alley, through
the back door and up the stairs Of an old store
room schoolhouse hiding his face in his coaknd al
is 70 show his atrsn Imagine the glorious and gall
liant veteran Of Michigan General cass seeking the com
partnership Of men who afraid Of the light order thai
Ne might sAor his droioh % s country Think Of Daniel
Webster, whose career is a Of noble deeds that like
the sun, whose spots are lost in il, luminous rays are
too glad to forget themhink Of him covering along the
narrow streets Of Boston 70 midnight gang Of ao-