Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-19
ARE AMERICANS PATRIOTIC.

Are the fires of American patriotism burn
ing with the pure and ardent fame which
devotion TO such a country slheirs demands?
vate interests and won the devotion of blood
and life. Is there now existing a sort OF re-
action from that generous self devotion, that
sublime attachment TO holy and exalted
sentiment? Is there prevalent impulse
toward acorn for the man who expresses high
admiration for patriotism and love Of coun-
try? l. there dominant sentiment among
individual States and individual persons
determined TO support the character and
maintain unblemished the honor of the
United States before the nAtions of the earth?
If an American travelling in Europe should
hear the fair fame of his country
traduced, her institutions derided AMI her
people DETAINED, would not his breast
heave with Indignation, his eye kindie I'M
der a rense of unmerited insult, and his
tongue become eloquent in asserting the lofty
and substapiisl claim CT the land whose of
spring he was TO stand among the very fret
of the nations, SIS a home of civilization, en-
bodying the broadeet principles of national
liberty, and Inhabited by generous, intel.
ligent, and law-abiding people, where no
tyrant governs and no poltroons are the
sycophants of tyrants? Such an outburst
would show, as did the breaking out Of the
war, that amid all the occupation of life,
devotion 10 rsmify ties, ara me srteut Pur-
suit Of Individual interest, and eagernets
for the requirement. of wealth, the breast
of the American citizen preserves the
germ of protection, latent and unseen,
but ready when the moment comes 10
spring into warm and vivid life. But
the citizens patriotism should be ready to
manifest itself, not only against insult and
reproach, bat sgainst indifference and
neglect. The citizen has no more right &c
allow the honor OF his country 10 be tar
nished by supine inaction, Than the mar
who would be fred with resentment if hi
wife's honor was questioned has to permi
her position in society TO be lowered by hi
neglect and inattention 10 those details tina
gain or forfeit social respect. 1t is IN thl
latter mode that the American people ar
SHINING at this moment. The proof oil tina
neglect lies in the disappearance OF tn
American flag from the seaports OF In
world, and its dwindling away even iron
our own harbors. The time was whsr
wherever the American traveller set his foe
upon the broad earth, as he gszed upon Ii
shipping lying at anchor or receiving Q
discharging cargo in dock, among tn
haga of many nations he saw wit
pride and delight the starry embleH
of his own dear land Autteriug
some northern breezs, or waving grace
fully 10 the soft winds of some sunny elm
Such sight meets his gaia no longer. Prou'
Ivmay Hoat thousand A,gs by the foreig
strand upon which he has landed, but IA
own is not there. The stab of fatal polio
has destroyed the once proud American me
camille Feet, and even the navy that shout
defend our coast at home, and vindica
American fame abroad, has become isusl
ing.siock to the nations, and an object
ieers and jests among our own people; viii
lately detected Italy owns grand nav
while the despised Turk floats some OF q
finest war vessels in the world, while eyt
the Chinese are running fine mereha
steamers successfully, we are without ma
that can cope with poor third "a
power. Even Chill could successful
face all the naval force the great Anne
can Union can muster. Panama b
kept in foul prison for thr
moths seven American citiEsns, one OF The
respectable New York merchant, ye: