Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-09-23
Local Attachments.

There are two kinds of patriotism, enti-
rely different from each other and rarely
:ound IN the same individual, Tbs one
has lite origin IN. and is mainly dependant
upon conviction of duty and a know ledge
OF ones best interest. The other spra5e
from local attachments. Scme-tbose who
esteem the intellect as in all thing. suneri-
or to the sensibilIties--deem the f;rst the
far higher kind; but in strength and nm.
wavering faitbfuloess the latter by far sur.
passes. The frat is found among educsssa
persons-those whose talents and at,.;n-
ments fit them for responsible positions in
the State. The latter may or NAV not he
combined with intelligence; but il il gen.
orally strongest when least Intelligent
The rude peasant who knows nothing ont
side the narrow circle of his individual life
will, merely from the intensity of his local
attachments do and suffer more for his
country than the gifted statemau. A nation
may unhesitatingly contide in her woman.
ry; it is her leaders whom she must dis.
trust.
1t is natural that one should love the
places and scenes with which he has Iorp
been familiar. One would indeed be wan.
ting in :he best emotions of human nature
who felt cot such love. He who m AIDE not
friends of every object around the home of
his childhood will not make friends OF men.
His heart is not right. Its chords will not
yield the melodies which it's Maker design.
ed. The many picturesque beau ties OF ma
ture, and the eternal loyliness os human
character evoke from it nothing but harsh
Giscords. 1t may with truth be said of
such one that she is fit for treasons.
stratagems and spoils."
In every rightly regulated mind there
will arise profound attachment for the
localities with which it has long been ia
miliar. With some, this amounts to a pas
sion that sets at naugbt all the cold calcu-
latinns of self-interest, and seems opposed
to the cleaEest dictates of reason. MANY a
man in this country digs scanty subsis-
teOce from an exhausted soil rather than
cut loose from his local associations. and
remove to where he can have fresh land To
cultivate. Nor is it with the ignorant alone
that this sentiment is found 70 possess SO
great strength. Persons the most gifted and
refined often find il seveIe-almo-t a death
strnke-'O break away from the place TO
winch they havebeen accustomed The poble
and talented Charlotte Brpnte always sank
in spirit and declired in health whenever
removed from the inactive scenery of Har-
warth. Poor lismi,h, to the day of his
death looked back with fond regret to that
humble rectory in ireland where his early
youth had been spent. We often hear men
FAY that nothing has so much controlled
their choice of homes as local attachments:
and we believe these men are happier far
than those who take up tent and baggage
and move to unknown wilds for the sake of
making money. Contentment is easiess
found where the affections are : and with
out contentment. neither wealth, honor nor
fame can avail us much.
But we degrade this sentiment il we con.
slider 1t kind of blind superstition. We
honor the man who loves his country with
an intelligent affection, because he thinks
instructions calculated to promote his hap
piness. But we honor not lees him who
loves her, and is willing to sacrifice life and
fortune In her defence. simply because she
is ''hs own his native land"