The record-union., 1897-05-29
HARKNESS GRAMMAR.
Veteran George w. Ficks Speaks OF
the Importance of Patriotism.


George w. F'icks was the speaker at
the Hahkness Grammar School. Ad-
dressing the pupils, he said:
Boys and girls of Harkness Grammar
School, we know of no better text for
the foundation of the few remarks that
we may make this morning than the one
you have suggested through the selec-
tions you have made for your Memorial
Day school exercises. 1t strikes me
that the word Patriotism which you
seem to place emphasis upon, is good
text and means more to US as a people
and a nation than TO all others as far
as we have any knowledge.
To us patriotism and loyalty to coun
try under our form of government
means more to the citizen than to the
people of monarchial governments.
The political privileges under which we
live, whether good or bad, are of our
own molding If we select men to the
legislative councils of the State or Ma
ton who will place country above party
or ward politics the welfare of the
masses will be best conserved.
If. on the other hand we select other
wise, we may suffer until the wrongs
are undone. The patriotism of the peo-
pie should never be allowed to wane or
grow cold but should be kept as
burning fire in the hearts of all, for the
security and perpetuity Of our Govern
ment rests on the home affairs dedi-
Gated, first, to patriotism, and second,
to eternal vigilance.
We are sometimes told that in times
Of peace lies our greatest security; that
1t is not necessary to fire the hearts of
the people with patriotic sentiments.
To this we demur, for the reason that
if the time should ever come when our
ship of State would be threatened by
rocks and breakers from within or
without, it will be because the fires of
patriotism have been extinguished and
our people slumbering in a security
which means death to the republic. We
therefore believe that patriotism is as
necessary in times of peace as in war,
although the latter condition offers a
more heroic, because more trying,
field for its display.
Ignorance the strong ally Of tyranny
is everywhere the foe of patriotism,
even more dangerous in free States
than in monarchies, for it makes the
masses the ready instruments of dema-
gogues, gives influence to the corrupt
and unworthy because they are ready
to pander to the vanity, the passions
and the prejudices of the populace.
The best education, SO far as the well
fare of the country is concerned, is that
which teaches the people their rights as
men, their duties as citizens. Which,
while teaching religious and political
tolerance, impresses upon the popular
mind the difference between true lib
erty and unbridled license.
The great question of the day is how
shall this be accomplished? We know
full well that the home influences in
many sections of our country are not
what they ought to be. In the United
States we have 100000 of school
children, advancing at the rate of
l, 600, ,000a year to man and womanhood.
What is being done in the home the
State and the Nation to educate this
vast army in the principles of patriot
ism? AS a Nation we are doing moth
ing, as a State very little
l believe that the law of self-preser-
vation should compel us to act in this
matter and create loyal and patriotic
the time will come in the history of this
republic when great issues viii be
transferred from the forum to the field
of battle for arbitration.
Woman's home influence for good or
evil is far-reaching. In time of war
her influence is stronger than in peace.
Many a letter written by mother, Sis
ter or sweetheart spurred the soldier TO
deeds of daring and bravery which
would have been unheard of had it not
been for those cheering and loving mes
sages from home. / wish that the
teachers in all our schools throughout
the length and breadth of the land
would take their models of patriotism
from the teachers and pupils of the
Hardness Grammar School. Should
they follow your example there would
be no reason to fear for the future of
that flag or the destiny of the republic.
UNION PRIMARY.