The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-18
sxLLroosE Patriotism.

There are texts for good msny edifying
sermons In that isaxtsr-Jancbs lawsuit.
when was decided 1t Victoria the other
day. Hapvdly, ~ 1t affected meme but
American cisixsns on either side. there Is
no danger that IL viii be made an inter-
national question. and iherefoge there can
be no Isnproprissy in referring to it.
II viii be remembered that Jacobs was
the owner OF schooner destined for
sealing cruise in Behring's sea. with whom
Baxter contracted for ths whole of his
catch in lsss, deliverable At seattle. and
that this ccntract having besn fulfilled il
Was renewed for 1850. bat Jacobs. instead
OF delivering bis catch for the latter year
to Bsxtsr, sold ii in Victoria 10 other
parties. and when sued for damages sus-
tained BY non-fuihllment of contract, plead
IN act Of congress and an executive proc
lAmasion making his contract unlawful.
II, ~ has been assumed. these gentlemen
are both American citizens, II IL probable
that both would claim to BE- patriotic. and
IL any foreigners had killed seals in that
sea the chances are mere than even that
they would have been in favor OF going TO
war about Il with the country OF which
such foreigners might happen 10 be ma
uves
II Il equally probable that . majority
Of the peopis ct the United States
would have been In favor OF going
70 war with Russia in is24 In sup
port OF John Quincy Adams contention
that the Russian claim In Behring's sea was
invalid, and still more probable that =
great number Of the American people
would favor . war with England now for
taking The ground then assumed by Adams
and which We would have fought to main
tain.
That Is beilicoss patriotism. IL Is the
kind that would vote for war on any fan
siful pretsxt regardless OF the enormous
loss and misery II would entail; and they
Who feel thus arc won't to assume that
they only are the true lovers OF their coun-
try. A disposition 10 buster and q readi-
ness TO hare the country engage In war On
any prelext II 10 their minds the only. or
1t least the best, proof Of patriotism.
Bat In truth. II they would only consider
. moment. . willingness to fight for The
country. or disposition to have the coun-
try engage in war on slight cause. Is not
nearly Is good evidence Of true patriotism
- IL display OF constant respect for il
laws and habit Of obedience to them.
The Victoria incident illustrates the dis
tnesson. One of those parties contracted
to farnish and the other TO purchase seal
skins from behring's sea. One Of them ha.
plead. and the other quite probably under
stood thai the fuihllment Of the contract
involved . violation Of American Law foI
which. II committed by citizen Of Vie
torsa or any English subject. q large portion
Of the American people would be In favol
OF war between the United States and
England, which, IN fought 10 a finish. would
be enc OF the most woeful and Devastating
in the annals al history.
There Is mol so much genuine, lasting
country rfoEtlng patriotism IN being will
Ing 20 fght sfsins; . proposition At on,
time, and for II AT another, or on slight Pre-
teuse at AIRY tlnae. a. there Is Ia being
constant rssIsctev and eheyer Of the laws o
ens's eogntry al all times. The quiet
orderly. steady going. lAw-ahsding IL A
much better slaa the beliscose style in re
sp@ss to patriotism as Il L. In reference q
the daily walk and habits % citizen
Fighting 10 not a. good proof Of nsnhcoS
- Is good behavior.