Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-07
MOrtester 4ailg Spp
The Test OF Patriotism

manifestation OF patriotic ardOr and devotion
the world has yet seen, was that spontaneous
uprising of the whole people, with shout of
mingled loyalty and vengeance, WHICH follow
ed the initial onset of the rebellion. 1t was,
in truth, a magnificent spectacle. The Old
World was astonished, but hardly more than
ourselves. 1t was apparently testimony to
the worth and strength and vital power of re-
publican institutions, that amazed the most
confident theorst. Every house ran out the
national flag, and every family in the land
made haste to vow eternal allegiance. No
matter how great the sacrifice required,
whether of money, of time, of self, or even of
those whose lives were dearer than our own:
it was all counted as a Joy, because for our
country and our liberty. Now, was all this
only an epidemic fever, hot, but transient?-a
sort OF patriotic whooping- which made
us very noisy and red in the face, which af-
tected tile mucus membrane Of the throat
more than the vital purpose and the will? Is
little goldthread tea going to heal up every
spot of irritation, and make us feel perfectly
comfortable and contented? 1t almost seems
SO.
He risks nothing who asserts that the pres
ent hour is the test of the sincerity of our pa
triotism. Consider for moment the circum-
stances, and see if it is not so. Then we
were, smarting under a sense OF recent insult
The first and highest indignity had been in
fcted on the national flag. Every one of us
felt It's sting, and our native pride was aroused
to aVenge the injury. 1t was an impulse,
more than settled determination. We were
angered The blood in our veins was in
cens7di 1t boiled war-hot. Then, too, this
other opinion WAS widely prevalent, namely:
that the foe was weak, while we were strong,
This made us confident of easy success. The
insult seemed impudent and rash We, swell
ing with patriotic pride and boasts, laughed
with scOrn while we ragged. We all wanted
hand in crushing the upstart treason, and
feared that, if we delayed, our chance would
be lost; that others would win the easy glory.
and our reputation, both for courage and pa
trlotism, would suffer. Moreover, we as a
people knew next to nothing of war expert
mentally. A spell of romance, a charm of
historic fascination, was over us. To be sure,
We told ourselves we knew it was horrible;
but, as we looked at the prospective battle
field in imagination, the smoke rolled away
grandly, and seemed taken I'D to heaven as
accepted incense. The human blood soaked
into the consecrated earth, or rose in bright
vapors, to add deeper red of victory to the
bow of hope which uur o~ssriy p-orhotin eye
behed, high arching over all. The shouts
and groans and wailings were caught up, and
harmonized with the inspiring music of the
Union. And is it wonder that we kept step
to it, and that thousands found themselves,
hardly comprehending how, but yet willingly,
in the ranks of the regiments that marched
through our streets for the war? DO not I'M
derstand that any, the least implication of
weakness or unworthiness is thrown upon
those who thus acted. Far otherwise! All
honor to the noble souls capable of such en-
allied enthusiasm and self-forgetfulness Pal
sled be the tongue which would impugn or
detract one iota from their immortal honor
Yes, they are worthy, ana they also are wor-
thy-to our view more worthy. if possible
who, uninfiuenced by any rare enthusiasm, dis
enchanted of any glorious visions of the con-
fict, seeing in the dark shadow of the future
little hut suffering, and a possible cross, bare
of a wreath, deliberately chooses, from sheer
conviction of duty, he hard service to which
the patriot is now called, by the country's me-
cessty.
"Thsn to side with truth Ia noble, when we share
her wretched crust,
Fer her brings fame and profit, and It's pros
porous to be just"
1t is duty to side with truth always. 1t is
noble to do it not only before she is acknowl-
edged, but especially afterward, when the
flush OF her triumph has passed, when she
holds her advancing way amid trials and dis
couragements, when new enemies surround
her and her service becomes laborious, cost
ly, sacrificing. Then is put to the severest
test the character, the principle, the sinceri-
ty and the faith of those who have surround
ed her with their professions of love and de-
VOiiOn.
Now, the present hour, is, we say again,
the test period of our patriotism. Can we be
unselfsh? Can we abhor all gains made out
of the WARP Can we refuse to fatten on the
sweat and blood of our struggling and wound
ed country? Are we willing to serve her
cause and be poor rather than live in ease
on gnOble gains?
SINGULAR MURDER IN LoNDoN.-The