Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-12-12
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THE PATRIOT-By J. 5. Johnson.

Patriotism means, love OF country, and prob
ably, no word bas been more abused In It's use.
Sentimentality has thrown around it, a soft in
Auence, and has fought the mind to apply it to
all those instances Of adherence or yalor, that
individuals have displayed in the discharge Of
civic or military duties. 1t is common to civ
llize mankind, and is evinced by ell classes OF
men of every country 1t is confned not to a
people of a certain locality, but lives In the
bosom of the inhabitants of every cline, and
the charm of its strength is only evoked for
the country of a mans nativety or adoption
The patriotism which the thoughtless too fire.
quently applaud, is a feeling that has its origin
in hate selfshncss or ambition, rather than
principle, and should not be contounded with
that motive which leads men together in bod
les for the purpose OF defending their country
against the threatening attempts OF foreign
class that feels no other right to molest, rob
and destroy its ighbors, than that which is
insured by the consciousness Of superior brute
force. This is not love of country, but d desire
to possess and rule the country Of some one
else, and rises to no more than rapine and mur
der; for every dollars worth of property that
is seized, and every life that is taken by the
people of one country in attempting to force
upon those of another, sentiments which are
repugnant to their welfare, education, and dig
nifty, is robbery and murder, with malice and
prepense and, however specious may be the
pretext under which it is done, the christian
principle is not changed by the excuse, nor are
those engaged in it, less deserving the fate Of
the robber and the murderer. Hence, Brigan-
dage, whether perpetrated by one man, or by
vast army, must not be mistaken for Patriot
ism for the birth of the Patriot is in the de-
fense of his country, and not in the otense OF
his neighbors county, and lofty impulses and
noble attributes form the stimulants OF his
heart. He is moved by the proudest of the
passions; and every act that he performs Is
the child of fortitude whose tuition renders
his character the noblest OF his kind. Wheth-
er acting in a civic or military capacity, he al
ways loves his country, and ever defends 1t
against all aggressors who may have the temcr-
ity to disturb its Institutions; and the warm,
fond gaze with which he regards all its assocla-
tions, makes him respect the same feeling in
his neighbors tor their country, and Danish
es every desire to tread their soil, save as a
christian and friend.
Civilization has done much towards the con-
demnation of the Sword, as an arbiter Of ques-
tions of dispute between the respective nations
of the world; and so well defined is interna-
tional law, that almost every subject Of equity
and comfy is controlled by it. But human ma
ture is not yet perfect and is alike everywhere
when moved by tile same passions Man will
not always act justly towards his fellow crea-
lures, and the probability is, that the causes
which result in war, will ever exist among The
different peoples of the earth. While the Pa
triot feels that war should never be provoked
by inroads upon the rights and principles OF
his neighbors, he knows that it is not always
to be avoided for a nation is now and then
forced to resort to physical power to repe
his perfect work, and every emotion Of his ma
ture tells him that it is his duty to defend his
nation against the unreasonable demands Of the
oficiousness of external States or peoples, as
long as he can make even semblance OF re-
Sstance
The scope of his province, makes clear the
field of his action; and causes, to shine cut:
every emblem of an exalted manhood for who
will not defend his own, or that of his heart
kin when assailed by an unprincipled foe? It
is not human to act otherwise nor does man
iness offer any excuse for its faithfulness
to its own household; for who does not love
his home? The earliest thoughts and impres-
slons are received there. Father, mother,
brother and sister are its companions. 1he
tender scenes of childhood, the Joy of boyhood,
and the endearmentS of youth, form It's de-
light; and thrice noble is he, who, with pure
soul, and righteous arm, strikes terror aud
death to these whose efforts are directed to
despoil his country, and to ruin all that makes
ther pleasant, honorable or desirable.