The herald., 1896-05-09
THE TRUHSr PATRIOTISM

Some OF the most distinguished COL
lege professors. statesmen. cIer~vmsr
and soldiers of the country took an an-
i've part IN the proceedings of the ma
tionai arpitration congress In Washing
ton last week. and no doubt much rood
will eventually come Of the efforts of
the congress in the direction Of suhmit-
ting arbitration for war In settling differ-
ences between nations. The ciyilizati ton
OF today looks upon war with horror.
ana the brutal methods that Spain is
employing In its war Of subjugation in
Cuba only intensifies the desire Of good
| people everywhere for the substitution
or arbitrators for soldiers. The shedding
or human blood and the destruction
OF property may conquer but 1t leaves
IN its s, tran hatred and desire for revenge.
which is anything but conducive to senti-
ments OF neighborly good will and COM
mercial and social intercourse.
The nationa l arbitration congress
means to emphasize the fact that there
is growing anti-war feeling in all Chris
far as 1t lies in its power, when nations
will not think of war until every possible
honorable means to preserve peace has
been exhausted. 1t is its purpose, too,
to teach people everywhere to speak Of
the glory of peace and the horror If not
disgrace of war. The tramp Of hostile
armies in these days means the turning
| back of the peoples wheel of progress
and the destruction of their paths to
better conditions of existence.
This is the day of the schoolhouse. the
merchant. the manufacturer. the agri-
culturist and the wage e-earner This Is
the day of commercial conquest, and war
is as destructive to commercial opera
tion as fire is to the commodities of COM
merce. This is the day when public opin
ion regards the inventor of devices and
appliances for the betterment of his fell
lou 1,A nro1 Nfoy, ", vr,a
tial array are not nearly SO pleasing
sight these days as employees of indus
trial enterprises marching to and from
their work. nor does the roar of cannon
make the heart as glad as does the hum
OF the machinery, factory and mill.
No doubt the war talk that very
many of our people indulge in from
time to time is an outburst of what
they deem true patriotism, but the line
which separates patriotism from enthu-
siasm is quite indistinct at times, al
though the difference in essence Is very
great. True patriotism Is a passion that
is born of rights and privileges desired
or already acquired, and it lives wholly
upon responsibility; but to fully appre-
ciate the inner as we'll as the outer mean
ing of patriotism one must understand
the responsibility he assumes In all of
its present and prospective ramifca-
tions.
Political responsibility or patriotism
in this country means that Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" and
it takes a great deal of constant vigil
lance to pay the price, but the sustain
ing influence that keeps the eye of vigi-
lance wide open is enthusiastic love for
the country's institutions. Patriotism
is mighty force and enthusiasm is
the stimulant that keeps 1t active when
it is needed lat the front" To fight for
ones country on the battlefield when
occasion requires is an exhibition of
patriotism certainly. but that is by no
means all nor the greatest OF the de-
mands of liberty upon the citizen. The
truest patriotism knows no duty higher
than to broaden and deepen the source
of that form of progress which brings
good. peace and better environment to
all the people. so that not only they
but generations to come may enjoy the
blessings of personal liberty. If 1t so
be that an enemy attempts to over
throw that which gives birth to and
sustains patriotism he must be driven
back. and if war ensues the true patriot
not for wars sake but to gain a victory
over the enemy of the political home
he has established. or perpetuated, for
himself and his poSterity. War to the
true patriot may be necessity, but not
so until he is convinced that his coun-
try's enemy will listen To nothing else:
then he shoots. not for the pleasure oi
killing. but that he must cause liberty
to triumph whatever the cost may be-
San Francisco Call.