The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-16
TUESDAY NOVEMBER A, 1873.
False Patriotism.

False Patriotism.
There is counterfeit article Of cheap
patriotism which kindles and CLOVIS and
enthuses loyalty at the contemplation Of
the nation or the state in the abstract and
as a whole, but is quite Indifferent to the
condition of the men, women and children
who make up its population. This patriot
ism finds its parallel in a false religion
which mumbles prayers and sings psalms,
and observes all forms with scrupulcus care,
but never concerns itself with the selfish
ness and sin that grows stronger acithin
and crops out in its daily life. Lut us put
away such patriotism as we should pray to
to be delivered from such religion. Give
US the patriotism which loves the state, not
in the mythical and abstract sense so
cheaply INDUCED, but in the living forms Of
ats people, Of whose well being it is willing
to labor and sacrifice without reward.
Give us the patriotism which studies the
needs of living. breathing men and wo-
men, and devotes itself with soulful ear
nestness to redress their wrongs, remove
obstacles from their path, and lift them
to the highest plane of prosperity and
happiness. Our Virginia politics are
largely in need of this healthful element.
In no partisan spirit we urge more atten-
ton to the actual evils which afflict the
people, and less Wanting of love for the
state. The great problems of social
science are knocking at the doors Of the
political parties. Questions of education,
finance, labor, new civil and politica
rights, the diffusion of the triumphs
Of art and scie nee, demand hear
ing at the hands Of those who
undertake to govern. The masses, patient
TO fault, and long silent, are becom-
ing restless /; and their voice is heard from
mine and workshop, and the marts of
trade, rising in majestic protest from the
prairies of the West. That voice is linger-
ing in our own mountains and valleys,
and awaking slumbering echo
in the hearts of our own people.
The old party hacks and the selfish up
start demagogues are alike deaf to its
claims. Intent only upon preserving the
past because 1t is old, or overturning it to
get new deal of seats, in the political syna-
gogue they care nothing for the veal or woe
Of others. But steadily, irresistibly as
fate, the people are marching to possess
themselves of the power Of this country.
They will scatter to the winds the misera-
BILE pretenders to patriotism who hay been
cheating them with high-soundiDg phrases.
aohile Their children are robbed of their
aighttulhe1tage. They will visit with their
hot wrath the false sentinels who lulled them
to sleep with assurances of safety, while
piratical monopolists carried away their
goods and stole their earnings from day to
day, leaving them poor in the midst oil
overwhelming abundance, They are tired Of
glittering generalities, and cry out for help.
They want patriots of that genuine stamp
who once made Virginia renowned in all
this land, and the light of whose splendid
lives yet shines to guide and cheer US. Can
those gifted young men who have come forth
from her halls of learning, with the aspira-
tons Of boyhood yet fresh in their hearts,
refuse the mantles Of her mighty dead,
which wait to fall on him who lovingly and
unselfishly devotes himself to the service
of the people. Virginia in all her borders
cries out to-day for large-hearted, great
souled patriots. who can rise above clan
and party, above prejudice and old ASSOC
Citations, and lead her out of chaos and ruin
into order and renewed prosperity.