Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-28
The Decline of Pa triotism.

| p1SSeu Wy Will Ho ooserNuuCc WudtcFeT ny
our citizens. and with very little compara-
lively to former times, throughout the
country generally.
Well do we remember time not very
long past when the Fourth of July and
Washington's birth day were looked upon
by old anil young as the two great nation
al holidays throughout the length and
breadth of our then proud, happy and uni
ted country. On the Fourth of July we
were wont to celebrate the birthday of a
Nations Freedom, while on the anniver-
sary that has just passed by. we dclighte
in calling to mind the virtues and glorics
!, of that immortal Virginian, who more
than any other man, secured for us those
liberties of which we were so jealous, and
whom we were then proud to honor as
FIRST in war. first in peace, aud first in
the hearts of his countrylncn ~
But times have cH angcd, and alas !! in
many things for the worse. Our Co.
temporary of the Herald, in speaking of
this subject uses the following language.
''It is pity-almdst a shame-that of late
years so little attention is generally given to the
observance of this worthy national holiday. The
civilized world does homage to the memory and
sacred name of Washington, yet in the land of
his BIRTH in the Nation which he fought for, and
in the Union which is vastly indebted TO him for
guidance and protection in its early infancy, the
anniversaries of his birthday are barely observ-
ell II at all, and the remembrance of his great
ness and OF his mighty services in our conntry's
canse is seemingly ignored or forgotten. This
should not be-"
1t is precisely those men in whose lead
the Editors of the Herald are so eager to
follow, who have done more than all others
toignore the principles rcvercd and taught
by Washington and the patriots f76, and
who now seem to be ashamed and afraid
to honor the day which commentaries
the birth Of the :'Father of his coun-
try"
SBoth Houses of Congress were as busiy
engaged on that anniversary as ifno such
man as George Washington had ever
existed. A correspondent of the Balti.
more Sun mentions that certain members
of Congress being reminded day or two
since, of their departure from the teach
ing of the first President. declared that
Washington was an old fogy anyhow, and
what he once taught might have done
very will in his day, but it wouldn't fit the
present exigencies."
The legislature of New Jersey few
days ago, having practically ignored' the
birthday of Washington, passed law
establishing Lincoln's birthday as a public
holiday. What picture of the decline
Of patriotism in these degenerate days,
upon which we have fallen The memory
of George Washington, the Patriot sage
the Southern gentleman, The Father Of
his Country is forgotten, and in his place
we are to set up as an idol, Abraham
Lincoln, the smutty jester, the Yankee
buffoon, the destroyer of that Country's
liberties The Inauguration of Abraham
Lincoln and the asccndancy of the Re-
publican Party was indeed a markell era
in this Countrys history. flames Buckan-
an was the last ofthe Old School of Presi
dents; upon his retiring, patriotism and
principle gave way to fanaticism and cor
ruption, andi Massachusetts, andgher teach
ings assumed that place that, for eighty odd
years had been filled by Virginia, during
which period our country had progressed
in power and prosperity, to degree
altogether unexamplcd in the former his
tory of the World. The Massachusetts
regime has had possession of the Govern
ment, but seven years. and we are already
upon the verge of ruin Andrew John
son, this day stands the sol, break water,
against the surging tide of blind and
reckless seal of fanatics n, which threatens
to submerge beneath its rcmorscless waves,
every vestige Of the proud edifce of Free
dom, reared by our Patriot sires, in the
past, every hope of prosperity and glory
for the future! That future is dark before
US now No mortal can foretcll or forsee.
the result of the measures which the
wicked fanatics who now hold the reins of
Government, seem bent upon forcing on
the Country, We can only trust In that
Providence that for over three quarters
of century has been with us, and has
guided our young Republic through the
perils Of its infancy, to the proud emincnce
that it has since occupied amongst the
nations of the world. IF civil war is again
to deluge our land in blood. it will come
in more terrible form by far than it has
ever done before ; but we trust that every
patriotic lover of his whole Country both
North and South, will be prepared to meet
the issue that will then be presented before
him, and that in that crisis of our Coun-
try's fate, we may not fruitlessly breathe
the prayer,
30 for the swords of former times
o for the men who bore them
when armed with Truth, they stood sublime
And tyrlnts crouched before them ~