Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-08-22

and the private schools Everyone
whose interest dictates puts broad
or narrow Interpretation upon that
law. Some would make 1t 50 broad az
to cover everything in sight. And we
are free to say, that we have no objec.
ton to such an Interpretation II there
is something talismanic In the mere
execution Of that law. We may be-
lieve in the underlying principles Of a
law; but we may have grave doubts
that the mere enforcement of that law
would bring about the desired end.
II a law is solely and exclusively
prohibitory; If 1t is simply to keep us
from doing certain things, then It's
simple enforcement Is all that Is re-
quired. But " the object Of law Is
to make us do certain thing, and to
change our feelings, or to create GER
tain sentiments, this Ia another thing,
and the mere law and Its obedience or
enforcement does not, Of necessity,
imply that those feelings and sentl.
nients exist. These statements are
necessary to explain what we are
about to say on this subject. We be-
lieve In a true and real, not u manufac-
tured Patriotism. We love the Flag
with q big i. We are proud Of Its
history and glory. We will not yield
to anyone the FIRST place of our devo-
ton to It. And we further believe
wherever 1t floats, 1t inspires patriotic
sentiments. But the point we make
is, that we do not believe 1t follows
that all who are 30 fond of wrapping
themselves in rhetorical flags, or who
at all times are addicted to pulmonary
patriotism, are always the best and
truest Of Patriots. They may declare
that they would die In the last ditch
for their country, but their whole life
often shows that they love their
country, not because 1t is the embodi-
ment Of the principles of Justice,
Truth, and Virtue, for which one
should die, but because 1t enriches
them and helps them to place and
power. This kind Of patriotism Is
purely selfish. How unselflsh was the
patriotism of some of the grand lead
ers in our national history! And be-
cause they were 80 unsel0sh, they in
spire the patriotism which all should
feel. How pure and unsullied IL the
Flag In Its history and glory! And
may we ask, are the personal lives of
all who boast of their Patriotism
equally pure and gloriousY For exam
pie: How about the laws Of good NOR
ais and Of health; the Sunday laws;
and regard for practical religion and
morality which are the pillars of our
governments Some who never weary
in their patriotic boasts would make
these dead letters.
II our patriotism does not make us
good and law abiding citizens, what is
the use of 1t, and how can 1t save the
country The point we wish to
emphasize Is this; the wearing Of u
badge, which ID the sign Of some kind
of brotherhood, does not make one Of
necessity brother indeed. Nor does
the wearing of cross imply, of neces.
sity, that the wearer is all In heart and
mind what that sacred sign would
indicate. These are signs of inward
feelings, and II the inward feelings
are wanting. what do these signs
signify? The waving Of the flag may
too often tell the same story. Old DR..
johnson was about right when he said
that the last resort Of scoundrels Is
patriotism. The idea Is clear: man
may beat the drum of patriotism to
attract the attention Of his fellow
men from his short comings. Like
Charity" he says to himself, this will
cover my SINS Not everyone, how.
ever, who cries Flag, Flag" shall
enter into the Kingdom of Patriotism
but he that doeth the will of that
kingdom; not by words and acts OF
intolerance and injustice towards his
fellow men, but by deeds worthy OF
his country and flag. Here we may
remark, that there is such thing as
injuring the very cause that we have
at heart, by our indscriminate action
and speech. The patriotic declara
tions of Washington or Lincoln dc
not weary us. because we know them
to be real. The sight of the flag