Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-15

II is not improper ut this time to call at
fentfon to banefui Influences and practices
which lower our national standard and. I'M
checked, threaten disaster. Engrossed in
the cares OF business and laborous occupa.
tons, men seem inattentive to the require
ments OF citizenship, but they do not con-
sciously and willfully shirk its duties and
responsibilities when they are clearly seen
and fully understood. They may be slow
act but when danger becomes-imminent 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 II is
neither dead nor short lived. 1t grows and
strengthens with honest appeals to it, and
it may be appealed to with confidence for
the Vindication of good measures. 1t in
creases with every draft that is made upon
It, and while it may become 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
seinshness. but it will be heard again 1t
patiently submits to many affronts, and
quietly endures many indignities. But in
Its temporary silence, it gathers
eumu,ation of energy, and when the
limit of its endurance has been reached,
its commanding voice breaks forth on the
startled air, trumpet tongued, and against
its mighty tones no other voice dares lift
itself. 1t was so when our last war swept
over the land. The spirit of patriotism
which was then reused from apparent
slumber became dominant and pervasivc.
1t extended everywhere, and touched every
body. 1t reigned supreme. The ordinary
interests of men were Subordinated to it
The war did not create it, but reused il 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 tremendous energy
urging them forward and onwari until the
supremacy of our cause was finally estab-
lished.
Our country was settled by men who
sought land which they might love as
their own. and pledged their lives and for
tunes for the maintenance of its institutions.
Our republic was founded in the patriotism
of the people, and their love of country was
strengthened by the struggle for its defense
against foreign aggression. The revolution
airy war was a test of the popular patriotism
which had been previously implanted, rath-
er than a development of it The patriot
ism which was ablaZe in the speeches of
Adams and Otis, and in the intrepid conduct
OF w arren, was a steady and fervent heat
in the bosoms of thousands whose names
are unknown to history. As a people we
have inherited the patriotism of our revolu-
tionary sreS. and the inheritance has not
been >quandered or dissipated. Because it
is voiceIess among the busy multitude, in
the martS, on the farms and in the work
shops, we must not think it has ceased to
exist, for these were the sources from whic b
our patriotic armies were filled. 1t 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 a stronger
and more self denying passion.
The vast m ajority of the people are patri-
otto and sound to the core. In them is our
main stay and chief dependence. Our con-
of country. which is Indifferent about any
show of itself, and speaks only in acts, W ill
never be misplaced 1t was this sort Of
patriotism that was personified in Grant