Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-07-08
True Patriotism,

The pastor of the First Universalist
church preached a sermon appropriate to
Fourth Of July last Sunday morning. The
topic was true patriotism. The preacher
made the following points. First, true
patriotism recognizes this important truth,
that liberty is good for men only as they
know how to use it. 1t is not a good in
itself. Liberty is good only as it is an en-
lightened and intelligent liberty. One
among the most difficult questions ever
propounded to man is the creation of lib
erty with order. The franchise pre-sup-
poses some education and should demand
it. 1t is not wise to bestow the privilege
of voting upon persons wholly unacquainted
with our institutions until they have had
some opportunity to acquaint themselves
with the principles of the republic. An I'M
intelligent vote is hazardous vote. No
people is fit to be free until it has been
trained and we'll trained in the use of free
dom.
Second, true patriotism is opposed to
lawlessness in any of its aspects. There
seems to be growing disrespect for law
in this country, due in part to the mixed
and diverse races who have made this
country their home and who have suffered
from old world tyranny and oppression.
In some instances this has prejudiced them
against law and order in all OF its forms.
Where such is the case liberty is assumed
to be synonymous with lawlessness. With
many excellent people who have come from
abroad have also come not fewIAnarchists
and Nihilists. The views such persons
seek to spread are menace and danger
to the republic. Disrespect for law is
among the most dangerous things in
democracy. OF all despotisms lawlessness
is the worst despotism.
hearty public sentiment against corruption
| in politics. There can be little doubt that
money is making itself felt more and more
in legislation, not only in state legislation
but also in congress. Money is used freely
by both political parties in corrupt ways
Men are sometimes asked to make large
| contributions to campaign funds for which
pledges in turn are made to themselves or
their friends. individuals with large wealth,
gigantic corporations with immense capital,
trusts, syndicates, and powerful companies
are sometimes asked to contribute freely,
with the taclt or expressed promise that
such contributions shall have weight with
the successful candidate in pushing bills to
their advantage through congress. These
men, who are supposed to represent the
people are really there because some pow
erful bond put them there, or because they
have pledged themselves, if elected, to do
all In their power to carry through certain
measures OF advantage to certain individ-
uals There are certain legitimate and
necessary campaign expenses, but the mil
lions which important elections now cost
do not go wholly for that purpose. In
presidential elections it is now the custom
literally to drench doubtful or pivotal
states with money, as was Indiana in 1880.
and this is done by both parties. There
is large class of voters in this country
who are venial and whose votes are
bought by either party.
Lastly, true patriotism puts principle be-
fore party. Parties in politics are neces-
sary, but blind party following where prin-
ciple and right are overlooked, is by no
means voters duty. The spirit which
says my party right or wrong is the spirit
which says my country right or wrong,
which is more an evidence of true patriot
ism. In the minds of some of our states
men it seems to be accepted as a truism
that the never a man loves his own country,
the stronger will be his hate for other
countries. Is that an evidence of patriot
ism at all?