Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-12-17
THE DECAY OF PATRIOTISM

The present aspect of sftirs in this
country is anything bat satisfactory for the
present and promising Of good for the flu
ture. To those who Look upon us with
jealous ey., and desire the downfall Of our
institutions, or at least the loss of their
induence in behalf Of freedom and self
government, there is much in the events
now shaping themselves TO cause exuta-
ton. In our history hitherto We have az
forded brilliant emample Of the highest
type Of patriotism. The greatest good to
the greatest numb Der has n yer been over,
looked We have had our sectional strifes
and temporary excitements. But wise
councils always prevailed and were strong.
ly .ecsnded BY the voice Of the people
Dangers from withou. have ever been net
with the warmest affection Of our people
for their own safety. union and prosperity.
Whatever the danger, whether from with
out. or within, i. has always been time
ly met, by the living, vir.uous patriot
ism Of all sections. Is it certain that thi,
healthy state OF things will continue p
Has no dangerous element poisoned the
fountain Of our paace-strengsh and pros
rerity? Are We not daily becoming more
and more extremists in theory
and practice?
A government can exist and prosper
only by the patriotism and conservative
character of the people. We must desire
union for the sake Of the union peace for
the sake Of peace; harmony for the SAX.
Of harmony. But is i, So Let candid.
appropriated observer look over the events
OF the last few months, aud if possible de
termine? Will he not find much to excite
alarm and humiliation The most dill
gent research vii! reveal bu. little if any
Of that genuine patriotism which when the
occasion demands can rise above party
feeling and sectional eiudice, and take
bold stand in behalf Of the rights and in
terests Of the nation. We have become
too intensely par:izan. In this day party
makes and unmskes public men just as
efectually As a tyranicai court. Few dare
Withhold their obedience to the akasc of
caucuses or the will Of those who dispense
the rpoils, otherwise their hopes Of the
succession are gone. The organization of
parties properly made and used are no,
only desirable but beneficial as the means
ef carrying out true principles and sound
policy, and giving the administration of
affairs to competent and faithful hands
but when made the means Of prac:iciny
upon the creduli,y and passions of the
people and UNFOLDING the hands of dema-
gogues, it takes the hue Of proscriptive
tyranny.
IF this were not 90 We should not see
resistance to law applauded, or sympathy
poured out like water upon the traitors
tomb-or the council chambers Of the ma
ton converted into theatsr of tumult
ana bitter striie-preJddice wrestling with
prejudice, and sections warning with Sec
tions. The North has its party--the South
has its party, but Rome has none This
constant sectional warfare and cry of dis
nnion--thcse eternal plottings and more
men.s Of fanatics in the North and South
are not harmless. The become danger.
Gus because they become familiar. The
people take the cue of their leaders and
become excited and prejudiced as they
Under such circum stances, impulse and
feeling gain the ascendancy. and sound
unbiased judgment is scarcely exercised.
Never before have the relations Of the
psopla n -. rent been more .i..l |