The record-union., 1892-11-25
country sang. 1t is always ia Belle

country sung. It is always "La Belle
France"
Notwithstanding the proverbial tickle
ness OF the French, they have weathered
the storms of a revolution and success
1uIly passed the critical period of a change
from long-established monarchy to a
republic. Their love of country in large
measure tided them over.
Our nag Is now floating over almost
/ every scnoolhouse in our State. What
does it mean? Let that question be thor
oughly discussed before the school and
by the school.
Trace the history of the flag and show
how the thirteen original stars have been
ADDED to TIL forty-four now dot the field.
IL is the emblem of freeCOm it floats
! over neither serf nor slave. 1t is the flag
OF great, free, peaceable and peace-Iov-
ing nation, and yet unconquered ma
| ton.
These and kindred thoughts will kim
dle IN tie child's mind a fame which
VIII grow brighter as he grows to COM
pfenend more fully the true meaning of
the star-spangled banner"
men there are our patriotic songs and
national airs. Some one has said, LET
me write the songs of a nation and L care
not who makes its laws"
Think of the tender associations awak-
ened IN the breasts of the Germans and
the French by the inspiring strains of
Der Wacht am Rhine'' and the "Mar-
selllalseW Such is the power of the latter
oyer the French troops abroad-making
them pine for home-that the playing of
I II IS forbidden.
If music has such influence over men,
mucn greater has it over young and sus-
ceptlble children? 1t is power that
should not be disregarded
nder topics of the times should be
/ discussed from day to day questions of
importance that arise in the conduct Of
pubic affairs, both of State and nation;
because, as rule. the most intelligent
citizens in a republic are the safest citi-
Zens as well as the most patriotic. AS
discretion is the better part of valor, so
| conservatism IS the letter part Of patri-
otlsm. But the ignorant are seldom the
| conservative.
The lnfiction of a supposed wrong
may call forth ridiculous manifestation
OF supposed patriotism. Hence our boys
and girls should be led to think upon
public issues and take sides only as reason
directs.
PASSION and patriotism that
VIII stand the test; patriotism that will
stand at the helm while the storms sweep
oYer-are not formed in the same mold.
we need the sort Of patriotism that viii
prompt US TO say. with Henry Clay, "I
would rather be right than be President"
We want the love ofcountry priced above
the love Of place.
a true regard for our country and its
institutions will eliminate from politics
the corruption which is now so preva-
lent.
1t seems TO us that truth, right, hon
esty and honor must be made the corner
stones Of every substantial structure Of
patriotism. Patriotism without these as
a suDstructure would be much like re-
ligiOn without morality.
In teaching the subject under discus
sion there seems to be need ofheeding the
Scripture injunction to be wise as serpents
ana harmless as doves.
The parents of many of the children in
our schools are of alien birth and are
quite ready to defend the institutions of
their native land when they are brought
into comparison with ours.
y case i'll point occurred in this county
IN preparing for Columbus Day. \ little
miss OF Ii, whose parents are English.
sad she could not enter into the spirit of
the exercises.
Ihus, the very ones we should most
IKE TO influence come to us biased. To
lessen and as far as possible remove this
preJudlce teachers must be careful and
discriminating; must be wise as serpents
TO recognize the situation and harmless
as doves not to give unnecessary offense.
Let us say in conclusion what. perhaps,
we should have said at the beginning;
the teacher himself must be what he de-
slres ms pupils TO be-patriotic.