The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-12-03
Patriotic Hopes and Fears.
Abstract Of Thanksgiving Discourse by
Rev. y. ID. Gammel, in Cong'l Church.
wellington, o., Nov. 27th, 1884.


II is pleasant to reflect that our Presi.
dent issues a proclamation thereby making
Thanksgiving Day national Since the
war, which was an impressive object-lesson
in patriotism, we have been growing more
and more to be naton,-not confeder.
ated states, not united states, but nation.
This is cause for rejoicing and special
thanksgiving.
But what is this patriotism Of which we
hear so much? We can understand
mans love for his family and his kim
we see men in love with wealth,
pleasure, learning, power; but what Is it
a man loves when he boasts OF loving his
country? What is there in my native
land more than in other lands for Inc 10
'love! Why should | love the people of
Texas or Vermont more than the people
of Spain or Australia? Nevertheless, by
a kind OF instinct, there is just such a
preference Of which we are conscious.
This instinct has been at times misdirect-
ed, as when people hate all but their own
countrymen. Ii was the custom in early
England 10 contiscate all ships driven on
their shores, and the japanese and Coreans
carried this so far ~ to murder the ship.
men.
But in analyzing this sentiment of pa
triotism We find it includes love of the
soil. Men delight in the natural features
Of their country. The Swiss love their
frownins Alps and their smiling valleys;
the English love their sea-girt isle; the
Frenchman adores Paris; and we Ameri-
cans never weary OF Boosting OF our great
territory, our lakes and rivers and teeming
haryes,s, waterfalls, natural parks, noun.
tain ranges and mineral wealth. We like
to be told of the extent Of our country; that
Dakota is larger than the whole Austrian
Empire and Greece and Belgium and b.
yaria besides; that France and Denmark
might be laid down in Texas with space
TO spare; that California is larger than
Great Britain and Ireland and Holland
and Portugal; that Colorado eou'd contain
the whole OF New England with Ohio
/ added, and still there be room; that Wash
ington territory is almost as large a:
California; an6 that New Mexico and
Arizona are almost as large as Texas.
So, also, the Christian patriot sings:
81 love thy rocks and rillr,
Thy woods and tempted hill-
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring"
No matter what or where the land is
the dwellcrs in II have this natural loy,
for Tit is their home, II is the best lant
under the skies.
"But where to find the happlest spot below,
Who can direct when oil pretend to know
The shuddenng tenant OF the frigid zone
Proudly procaims that happiest spot his own;
The naked negro painting on the line,
Boasts Of his golden sands and palmy wine;-
such is the patriots boast where'er VIC roam,
!
But patriotic feeling includes, also, low
of the people. We cannot forget our CON
mon ancestry. The people Of Maine ant
OF Georgia have much in common the
have the memory Of the fathers common
yicissitudes, defeats and victories share'
together, an undivided heritage who's
lus,re can never grow dim. The can
paigns OF the late war brought the ends O
the country together; men oil New Eng
land, the Interior and the Northwest wer
brigaded together. The bivouac, tn
march, the line of battle united them In
common cause, made them realize that al
had one country.
Love for the system Of government ais
characterizes the American patriot N
other government is so intrenched In tn
affections Of the people. Not all Russian
or Germans love the "paternal" govern
ment which rules them. Not all English
men think royal family essential to tn
conduct Of the government. The Frencl
Republic has It's factions which woult
again set up king. But in Americ
there are no citizens opposed TO the reput
lican form. Party zeal never goes so ia
as to aim at the subversion Of the Amer
can system. II Is government OF III
people, by the people, Tor the people" i
we think our constitution can be improves
we do not hesitate to amend it. What
ever will tend to make II the most periec
instrument Of It's kind In the world, tina
we stand ready to do. No wonder tina
American patriots love the Republic.
/ do not propose to anticipate the fourtl
Of July and sound the praises Of this mos
benehcent system. prefer to look Int
the future and notice some causes Of fea
and some grounds for hope respecting th
years to come. The wise man is not merel
hopeful, he has fears as well.
Charlemagne once looked on. Of
window In town Of southern France an
saw fleet Of Mortimer cruising In th
Mediterranean. They even entered tn
port Of that town, causing no small alarm
and the manning Of his galleys. As the
put out 10 sea again, the emperor gaze
long after them, his eyes bathed In tear