Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-23
CLEVELAND.
lCa,,,inred from Flrst PAGE. |


books. II it De true as Is often claimed,
that the scholar in politics is generally
failure, Il NAY well be due 20 the fact
that during his formative period, when
lasting impressions are easily received,
his intellect alone has been cultivated
at the expense OF wholesome and well
regulated sentiment
! speak to-day In advocacy OF this
sentiment. II IL Is not found in eX-
IRENE aud exclusive mental culture,
neither l. 10 found In the busy martS OF
trade, nor In the confusion OF bargain
ing. nor in the mad rush after wealth.
It's home is in the soul ana memory OF
man. II mas 70 do with the moral sense.
IL revereuces traditions, il loves ideas,
it cherisheS the names and the deeds OF
heroes and il worShipS at the shrine Of
patriotism. / plead for IL because there
is a sentiment which in some features is
distinctly American, that we should
never allow 20 anguish.
When we are told that we are prac-
tiCal and common sense people, we are
apt 10 receive the statement with aD-
proval and applause. We are proud OF
its truth and naturally proud because
its truth is attributable 10 the hard
work we have had 20 do ever since our
birth as a nation, and because OF the
stern labor we still see ia our way be-
fore we reach our determined destiny.
There is cause 20 suspect, however,
that another and less creditable reason
for our qualification, arises from feel
ing that there is something herOically
American IN treating with indifference
or GeriSiOu all those things which IN
our view do not directly aud palpably
pertain To what we call with much sat
isfaction, practical affairs, but which,
If we are entirely frank, we should con-
fess might be called mOney-getting and
the betterment Of individual condition.
Growing out Of this feeling, an increas-
ing disposition is djScernible among our
people, which begrudgeS TO sentiment
any time or attention that might be
given 20 business and which Is apt TO
crowd out OF mind any thought not d.
rectIy related 70 selfish planS.and pur-
poses.
A little reflection ought to convince
US that that this may be carried much
too far. 10 is a mistake 70 regard SEN
timenu as merely something, which IL
INDUCED, has a tendency to tempt 70
idle and useless contemplation or retroI
spectiCn. thus weakening in people
the sturdineSs OF necessary endeavOr
aud diluting the capacity for national
achievement.
The elements which make up the
sentiment of 4 people should not be
counted as amiab,e weaknesses because
they are not at all times noisy and tur-
buIent The geutleneSS and loneliness
OF woman do not cause as to forget
that she eau inspire man to deeds OF
greatness and heroiSm; that as wife she
often makes mans career noble and
grand, and that as mother she builds
and fashions in her sons the strong pill
lars OF a State. SO the sentiment OF 4
people which in peace and content
ment decks with flowers the
temple OF their rule may,
in rage and fury, thunder
az its foundations. Sentiment Is the
cement which keeps in place the gran
tie blocks of governmental. power, or
the dest uctive agency whose explosion
heaps iu ruins their scattered fra%
meuts. The monarch who cares only
for his sovereignty and safety leads his
subjects TO fOrgetfulness OF oppression
by q pretense of love for their tradi-
tions: and the ruler who plans encToach-
mentS upon the liberties OF his people,
shrewdly proceeds under the apparent
sanction Of their sentiment. Appeals
TO sentiment have led nations to bloody
wars which have destroyed dynaStieS
and changed the lines OF imperial ter
mn
fathers 20 the battle fields where Amer
lean independence was won, end Such
an appeal has scattered soldiers graves
ali over our land, which muJely give
evidence OF the power Of our govern
ment and the perpetUlJy OF our Tree IN
StitutiOnS.
have thus far spoken Of peoples
sentiment as something which may ex-
isl and be effective, under any form OF
government, and in any national cOndl-
tiop. But the thought naturally tot-
lows. that il this sentiment may be so
potent in countries ruled by power
originating outside OF popular Will, now
vital must its existence and regulation
be among our countrymen, who rule
themselves aud make and administer
their own laws. In lands less free than
ours. the control OF the governed may
be more easily maintained II those VINO
are set over them see tit TO make con-
cession 20 their sentiment; yet, with or
without such concession, the strong
hand Of force may still support the
mower 10 govern. But sentiment Is the
very life blood of our nation. Our gov
eminent was conceived amid the thun-
ders that echoed "All men are created
equal" and it was brought forth while
free men shouted I'VE, the people OF
tbe United States" The sentiment ofour
Fathers, made up Of their patriotic in
tentions, their sincere beliefs, their
homely impulses and their noble aSpira-
tiopS entered into the government they
established: and unless il is constantly
supported and guarded by sentiment
as pure As theirs, our scheme Of popular
rule will fail. Another and different
plan may take it's place; but this which
we hold i'm sacred trust, as il originated
in patriotism, is only fitted for patriotic
and honest uses and purposes, ana can
only be administered in its integrity
and intende dbeuetcence, by honest and
patriotic men. Itcan no more be saved
nor faithfully conducted by a selfish,
dishonest and corrupt people, than
stream can rise above it's source or be
better and purer than its fountain head.
None OF us can be ignorant Of the
IDEAS which constitute the sentiment
underlying our national structure. We
know they are u reyerent belief in God,
a sincere recognition Of the value and
power Of moral principle and those
r,,,lftias If heart which make q noble