Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-10-14
HE GRANT MEMORIAL.

jury for the enrichment of few, they villa
rally to it's defense with unselfish and de-
voted patriotism. Their energy and cOur-
age have not been deadened by ease and
luxury. There can be no prosperity with
out public tranquility, and the people will
not long remain tranquil under we'll
founded belief that the corrupt use of
money prevents q free and honest EXPIRES
sion of their choice Of men and measures.
If public opinion cannot be honestly eX-
pressed in authorized ways, our elections
Will become expensive and useless mock
cries, and free government will exist only
in name. Let us not be deceived by mere
FORMS Radical changes III government
may be effected without perceptible change
in the mode OF administration. Some of
the worst tyranniaS the WOrlG has ever
known were maintained under popular
FORMS
Men like Grant, who have sprung from
the people, with strong and resolute char
acter, unSpOiled by luxury, clear-minded
and Observation-Disclosures to see men and
things as they really are, undeceived by
outward show and cOnventiOnality-a
worth more to our nation than all its mere
cunning, self-seeking politicians, its politi-
cal theorists, or its plutocrats. In war and
peace these qualities lie at the foundation
of all true character. A nation not only
needs such men, but they are indiSpensa
BILE to it. In times Of peril it may perish
without them.
It is not improper at this time to call at
tentiOn to baneful influences and practices.
which lower our national standard and
unchecked, threaten disaster. EngrOsSed
in the cares OF business and lab0rlOuS Occu-
patiOnS, men seem inattentive to the re-
quirementS of citizenship, but they do not
consciously and willfuIly Shirk it's duties
and responsibilities when they are clearly
seen and fully understood. They may be
slow to act, but when danger becomes inn
minent they will assert themselves again as
they have in the past. They will not allow
the republic to perish from neglect. The
sentiment of patriotism is still strong In
the people 1t is neither dead nor short
lived. 1t grows and strengthens with hon.
est appeals to it. and it may be appealed to
with confidence for the vindication of good
measures. 1t increases with every draft
that is made upon it, and while it may be-
come silent through neglect. It does not
cease to exist. Its voice may be
unheeded for a season, and may
be drowned by the nOisier tongues Of
greed and selfshness, but it will be heard
again. It patiently submits to many af-
fronts, and quietly endures many lndigni-
ties. But in its temporary silence it gath
ers an accumulation of energy, and when
the limit Of its endurance has been
reached, its commanding voice breaks forth
on the startled air, trumpet-ton gued. and
against It's mighty tones no other voice
udIoS I'LL 1USCll. 1t WAS So Wnon our last,
war swept over the land. The spirit of
patriotism which was then reused from an
apparent Slumber became dominant and
pervaSive. 1t extended everywhere and
touched everybody. 1t reigned supreme
The ordinary interests OF men were sub
ordinated to it. The war did not create it,
but reused it into action, gave it direction,
and furnished scope and opportunity for
the assertion of itself. In our armies, and
behind them, it was a moral force OF ire
mendOuS energy urging them forward and
onward until the supremacy Of our cause
was finally established.
Our country was settled by men who
sought a land which they might love as
their own, and pledged their lives and for
tunes for the maintenance OF its InStltu-
tons. Our republic was founded in the pa
trlOtism OF the people, and their love of
country was STRENGTHENED by the struggle
for its defense against foreign aggression.
The revolutionary war was g test OF the
popular patriotism which had been pre-
vIously implanted, rather than a develop
ment of it. The patriotism which was
ablaZe in the speeches OF Adams and Otis.
and in the intrepid conduct of Warren,
was steady and fervent heat in the
bOSOmS of thousands whose names are IN
known to history. AS people we have in
herlted the patriotism OF OH revolutionary
SireS, and the inheritance has not been
SQuandered or diSSipated. Because it is
yoiceless among the busy multitude, in the
martS, on the farms and IN the workshops,
we must not think 1t has ceased to exist.
for these were the sources from which our
patriotic armies were filled. It is not the
noisy and blatant sort of patriotism that.
finds an easy outlet on the rostrums that is
the staunchest and the best; it is stronger
and more self-denying passion.
The vast majority of the people are pa
triotic and sound to the core. In them is
our mainstay and chief dependence. Our
confidence in their steady and unfaltering
love of country, which is Indifferent about
any show Of itself, and speaks only in its
sort of patriotism that was personiied III
Grant