The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-07-04
FOURTH OF JULY.

To-day, July 4, 1896, is the 120th ami
versary of the birth of the American re
public. One hundred ard twenty years
ago to-day our independence was pro.
claimed. One hundred and twenty years
ago to-day the Expressing yoke of the
mother country was formally lifted and
'old liberty" proclaimed the tidings of
freedom. Annually ever since that day
this day has been given up to merriment
and jolllfcation-a day specially set
apart to nourish and inspire patriotism
into coming generations. We do not alone
glory in the freedom we enjoy, but we
glory in the fact that all wise Providence
saw fit to provide and inspire men who
we're equal to those trying ordeals-men
with moral courage, men who knew no
fear, men who loved the future of their
country above personal ambition, men
who willingly sacrificed individual great
ness, that all posterity might enjoy and
perpetuate freedom and liberty. These
things were not accomplished without
conflict. And while we pass the day III
boisterous merriment, we silently revere
and offer up fervent praises to those
immortal heroes of valorous deeds, those
patriots--both generals and privates-
who jeopardized their lives for the cause
of freedom. To them we owe all. What
our republic is now we owe to ourselves.
The love OF country that our fathers
bore is truly exemplified in these the
closing days of the nineteenth century.
Their country they adore no less. To day
the perpetuatlon of our republic is as
transparent as are the courses of the vari-
ous celestial spheres of the universe. We
have the foundation to build on. To as
sure the continuance of our popular gov
ernment we need patriotism. For this
purpose we need not foster vast armies
and navies, but we need individual patrio-
tism-such as our fathers and forefathers
were inspired with. A frenzy of com.
placent self-satlsfaction and lofty con-
tempt for all other lands, does not neces-
sarily make the possessor patriotic
citizen. First, he must have the courage
and conviction, whether in private or
public'iif to urge the institution of per-
feet and liberal laws-laws that will have
the effect of universal benefactors. Eruly
it has been said that 1t is we'll to know
the history of the past, and to revere the
name of those great souls that made oul
country great. fine feeling of affection
for the flag that waves o'er us, is to be en-
couraged and stimulated, but patriotism
is more than reverence for the past, or a
sentiment for sacred symbol 1t is
more than plide in lands and feat of
arms; it has to do with our present, to-day
life; it is living virtue not only on ma
tionul holidays and in affairs political,
hut in every act of our intimate personal
life. "It is men-high minded men-that
constitute state" So he who loves his
fellow men most, is the greatest patriot.
To be u successful patriot there must be
virtue. Human avarice and greed must
be scorned. In the words of that great
Teacher, who lived and taught in Galilee
centuries ago is to be found the sum of
all human virtue, ''love thy neighbor as
thyself." That is all of mans duty to
man. That is all the virtues. and without
them there can be no virtue. SO the
patriot--the true patriot-need not con-
oern himself or herself with adding to
their country's domain by conquest; he
need not lead armies to foreign field; he
need not decry all worth of foreign
source. He must staud in readiness to
serve his country at his couptry's call.
He muat love his countrY-love her sons
and daughters. That is the only patrio-
item that adds to the nations glory and
mans honor-the only patriotism that is
not wicked. selfish pride, vain glorious
and Wanting. That is the form OF patri-
otism that must be inculcated in young
America if we are to make the existence
of our glorious and grand republic per-
petual for all times.