The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-08-23
A Patriot.
Presidential Electors,


We were taught to believe tlat
a patriot was one who loved his
country, Its safety and welfare, para
mount to any purely personal de-
sire or ambition. We inhibited tie
opinion that, second alone to tie
claims Of Deity, around the idea of
country-its laws, its institutions,
its sacred traditions-clnstered the
most sacred incentives TO inspire
unsclhsh devotion and sacrifice.
Individual prediction or emolu-
mcnt. home, and the endearing re-
lati,nships of friends and society
and kindred, were subordinate in
rank OF estimation to country s wei
fare and glory. Character is the
Grand central idea Of human life.
a good name is desirable above
riches, is the deduction Of wisdom.
To tie mind ofthe patriot, the char
actcr of country, Of fatherland, lsaS
precious as his own. If Ifeithermust
be sacrificed let the weight Of dis
honor fall upon him. No oplnio"
or act of his will favor or assist i'll
the development Of policy which
will in the east prove derogatory
to the interests Of national freedom,
union, virtue or progression. Per-
Sonal desire aud sectional interest
must remain passive in the light of
the mighticr claim Of the general
good. His eye OF earnest sollcltude
for country's welfare glauees to the
central idea Of national institution.
From this point of concentration he
weighs carefully the lines ofintlucn-
res from every quarter converging
to that point. Then in the light Of
securing national Integrity, and the
greatest good to the greatest num-
ter, from these converging lines Of
influence he chooses his principles
and line Of political action. IN this
selection, the interests ofthe present
are not alone the objects of his
solicitudc, IIiseamest v sion picrccs
far into the dim beyond, and seeks
to projectpa line Of policy that will
reach the interests ct generations
yet to be. He knows there is
no comprehension without intelli-
gence. lie knows that virtue
is the source Of trust and confidence.
lie has learned from experience that
mankind in its development is gov
erned more by example than prcept.
Applying this principle to national
development, he seeks TO favor that
policy which will identify in the
national character the idea of in.
creasing intelligence and growing
virtue. The national habit thus
being fixed, the individual citizen
is influenced to mould his life in
consomnce with it. lie aspircs TO
become wise and yirtuous because
it is the national habit, and the step
ping-stone TO national favor. In
fact, whether he Is iinfluclccd by
such ahfasphatiOh ~ not, thc forces
Of national habit will mould him
impeEceptiblyato 4lsemSckes, lie
will be swept along by the national
current. lie will breathe tho mag
netic Influence Of national life, and
its subtle influence will gradually
change tho texture Of his moral
being. Every age and country has
had its patriots. In this has our
coantry4een peculiarly blest. Her
altars haze been cqpiously- fed by
rich d slilbaatiops of patriotic b'ood,
freely shed to establish her identity
and promote ller welfare. The in
auence'Of these lives and sacrifices
has boeHabsorbe,l into the national
life, giving character. and tone to
itsenOEgies Intelligence, truth and
consistency have beon the fuuda-
mental IDEAS incnlCated in the for
nation oftlle American habit. The