The National tribune., 1895-04-11
CONVERSATION CLUB.

sending 81 to The NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
CONVERSATION CLUB.
Prize Paper on observation-disclosures to Women
other C. C. Thoughts and Opinions.
P,les ofthe C7u5.-I. Write briefly. 2. Write only
on one eide OF the paper. 3. Write 10 The point T.
Write on one subject. 5. Write your best 6. Each
week the names OF those writing the best letters
style composition, spelling, pennlanship and gem
eral merit considered-wil be named at the head
OF this column on the Honor Roll First honor
will include all OF these requirements Second
honor will include deficiency In some one point.
PRIZE PAPER.
To J. W. Mahan, son of a veteran and for
many years reader of The NATIONAL TRIB-
uSE and in full sympathy with its high prin.
ciples, Dream OF the Ages" is awarded for bis
paper on American Patriotism"
In this connection it may be said that timely
articles not ancient history, is required from
contestants.
AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.
During antiquity the Egyptians were noted
for the building of the pyramids, their progress
in the sciences, and the excellence attained in
art.
The Phenicians excelled in commerce, and
the Athenians in intellectual attachments.
The Spartans were renowned for their un-
finching bravery, and the Romans for their
military skill.
Bat the Americans possess a more compre-
hensive knowledge of the sciences and arts
than the Egyptians; a more extensive COM
merce than the Ph9Dicians; the intellect and
uratory Of the Athenians. and the invincible
vslor Of the Spartans and Romans.
And looking back through the long vista OF
Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history. it 10
nowhere possible to find prototype for the
Government of the United States 1t is an
-. Il. 4 ~.
From 10 petty colonies it has grown to be a
great Nation. 1t has increased in territorial
extent. New departments have been created,
and il has grown in complexities so that il now
requires the greatest intellects and the most
patriotic to administer and manipulate its
affairs We need administrative capacity, true
patriotism, and far-reaching intellects 10 care
fo- our Interests.
Education, which gives comprehensveness of
mind, is beginning to receive its proper care
and attention hut patriotism is woefully neg
lected. This should not be.
We being as one great family, and ours being
a common interest, we should learn to love and
appreciate our Federal head.
Judge deliberately, censure mercifuliy, and
criticize prudently, should be our motto but
without true patriotism this is i'm possible,
Consequently, patriotism should be SO deeply
implanted in the hearts OF the youth that time,
obstacles. and perpexities themselves mag
have no power TO eradicate it.
This can be done by the pedagogs OF our
land. By proper handling of the events of
our history suggestive of patriotism, and by a
careful observance OF our National HOLIDAYS
attended by appropriate oratiOns, we can kim
die the little spark OF patriotism which we now
possess into bright flame that shall impart its
heat and shed its refulgence to all about Us.
j. w. Mahan, Cullen, KY.
HONOR TO WY.
Following are extracts rom tho address Of
our C. C. brother. VIII II. Hayes, at the eighth
anniversary OF the Relief Corps. Phgnixville,
Pa. Of which his sister agnes ia President. All
true C. C.'s will indorse bis noble sentiments /:
There 10000 pages Of official war rec
0rds already issued by the Government, and it
is only beginning of what is TO come. Then.
what an amount OF nonparell would 1t take to
cover the unwritten pages Of deeds done BY
women during four years Of warp Not even
the pen Of inspiration could record the untir-
ing labor. Ouly the poets fancy ran bring
them to cur sight; and yet, il il could he accu.
EiHated. If il conld be brought oecther--this
quiet patient suffering that was endured by
the women Of ihc land through these years of
the war--what a noble tribute of sacrifice it
would show to the glory OF the flag and to the
honor OF wOmanhOodl
But woman was not only patient, uncom-
only years OF anxiety and doubt, but to many
years Of sorrow and widowhood. TO those who
were so placed 10 be useful, they were years
of active, stirring interest in behalf of the
country.
Where was all this patriotism born? This
love Of country? 1t was born of women.
From the mothers of this land these cour-
ageous, liberty loving. patriotic young men
have drawn their impulses. When our Amer
sras bar bu fbo Do
public will perish. But that hour passes. The
field is won. The Government is established,
and all its blessings begin to pour into the lap
Of a united and happy people"
But there some still lingering on the
heldi il may be beyond the lines where the
war was carried on, but they arc nevertheless
wounded, not with balls and bayonets, but
Win disease. They are not falling in the face
OF an open foe but they are going down, ire
trievably, from those other enemies which the
war produced-disease and death
Were The impulses OF women not stron ger
than those Of men; were not mercy more
strongly embodied in their nature than even
patriotism or courage in the soldier. upon this
country would have fallen an ailliction that
the Government could not have removed
But woman, true TO the instincts Of her ma
ture, followed home the retreating ranks.
not retreating in disgrace, but coming home
from those fields OF glory. She sought those
men and those families that, while they might
be happy in the thought that the country was
saved, lamented and felt from hour TO hour the
want Of protection and strength. IL was upon
this field that the Wonan's Relief Corps rem
dercd constant service during the quarter of e
century that is past, aud down 10 this present
time, and proposes to continue this work until
the last soldier. and tho last family, ard the
last widow, and tho last orphan OF the Union
Army, or connected with it, shall have dsap-
peared. So long she viii be there. They may