The National tribune., 1879-06-01

weathies and mightest of poentates rejoicing in the
funess of his glory and the of his realm he was
asked by the vain monarch who desired and expected
reply favorable TO himself this question: Who Solon
was the happiest man you have known The king
was not only amazed but startled at the answer Telus
an Athenan mechanic replied the Solou, was The hap
pest man whom have known. He after life spent
in doing good TO his fellow citizens, having had family
of salwart sons born to him. died bravey fighting in his
country service at the close of victorious battle where
IN her rights had been asserted and her freedom assured
TO which result he had greatly contributed 10y his personal
vaor Well might Crnsus be astouished at this reply of
the man whose laws have made his immortal for in
it the of the principle which makes small states
great and republics powerful
This that patriotism elevates and dig
nes the poorest citizen of state ennobes him above
the rank of kings, and submes even ordinary virtue
when displayed in the service Of ones country tt is
beautiful expression of that noble sentiment so dear to
every freemans heart that 1t is and becoming to
die for one country
1t this willing tribute the memory of her sons
who died 10 battle that made Greece in her day the mis-
ess of the world in arms and art which constituted her
the beacon light to all succeeding nations which has
exalted her into model for all who aspire to do noble
deeds or think noble thoughts to look TO for inspiration
Under teachings such hers the heart the citizen
expands with the glory of his country whose honor and
greatness paramount all other considerations and
constant in his mind is the northern star in the
armament Louis XIV declared that he was the
State" The people were nothing to him How mnch
truly the citizen who knows no superior who
from the laws he obeys and who by his hands or by
the hands OF his ancestors of equal political rank with
himself constructed the government which he protects and
by which he is protected say, g. am the State q'
The individual sovereignty which the citizen of re-
public enjoys stimulates HIM either the weary
or amid the carnage OF battle he is willing to die in the
defence of the liberty he loves From this pure spirit of
patriotism free governments spring without which they
will be as evanescent the morning msts upon vor
mountain slopes This love of country my friends is
prolific theme it inspires the mind it quickens the
pusaton of the blood it nerves the weak and presses
ward the strong it makes the soldier valiant and the
orators delivery grand it is old as time and in a re-
pnbic as certain as eternity it comes with breath and
departs only with life it will assert itself in the traitors
heart like Banquos ghost it viii down but will ever
chide him in his thoughtful no nation can be
truly great without 1t poetry draws from it nspir
on society It's charms, the arts and sciences their
pulses, and language its eoquence. Yes. my friends
dead must be the soul that does swell with emotion at
the thought that this his land apd dead soon would
be that and whose children did glow with pride at the
mention of her This love of country then being
the greatest laurel that bedecks the brow of liberty how
will entwine its teudris the hearts of those
who come after in order that time may increase its
growth? My countrymen this is result that every ma
ton the surface of the earth some time or other in
its history has sought to attain The effective me-
thod discovered to keep alive this feeling of
patriotism you practicing to-day You are today paw
ing tribute OF respect to the memories of the brave
who sleep in the honored graves You are perform
ing labor OF love springing from recollection of the
services rendered country by your patriotic sons
recollection OF great deeds of patriotism and of
unhesitatng devotion in worry cause To this silent
city OF the dead the widow OF the departed hero will
pair with her point out to him his fathers grave tell
to him the story how he volunteered how he fought and
how he fell gaantly defending the flag of his country
The maiden whose lover has fallen in this bloody ssfe
will also come here, her hopes hghted and her young
warm heart crushed and this, to her haowed spot
here will come the aged crippled veteran with his grand
by his side standing amid these houses of the de-
parted all his youth will revive the old days will pass be-
fore him anew the old feeling will again nfiame his
breast the great the earnest love of liberty the
ardent love of country the desperate battle the weary
march, the dreary bvouac the temporary defeat and the
final victory All all these will pass in review before
his mind His ancient aror will rekndle and he will
recount IN stirring speech and martial phrase gores
of his youth Into the greedy of the listening lad the
old man will pour the story of the battles seges and for
tunes through which he has passed. and fred by
lectons OF these scenes he will shoulder his crtch and
show how fields won, and pointing where his com
rades sleep, exclam with proud emphasis II too was
one of them! And the old talks, the eye
of the youth kindles how his cheeks glow, how every
fibre of his body is moved the lesson has entered his
soul he teo aspires to be " one of them and when
day of trial comes if it should) he is mentally
solved to emulate the deeds of his ganre and his com
rades With every noble sentiment of his aroused
he departs with regret from the resting
OF the fallen heroes OF his country. Fathers mothers
brothers, and sisters, all will heret will be hal
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