The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-07
Love of Country.

Eds. RecordUn In view of all
the discussion going on in regard to
our affairs with Spain and Cuba, per
nit me to give expression to some
thoughts on the duties of nations:
There is a name whose sacred spell,
My heart with rapturous joy can swell
Allied to JOY divine;
or bllnd my eyes with gushing tears,
ana MI my soul with anxious fears,
My country, ii is thine.
While the love of kindred, home and
native country may be considered one
of the noblest attributes of the human
soul, yet it should be governed by rea-
son and not be carried to that excess
which would blind our better judgment
in regard to what may be properly
considered our own defects as ma
ton, or conceitedly cause us to neglect
or refuse to apply necessary remedies
which needed reforms in our social or
political systems may require.
1t has been truly said that "he who
can forget the tree under which he
played, or the fountain from which he
drank in his youth, is a stranger to
the sweetest impressions of the human
SOUL" yet an intelligent preference for
ones race and love of country does not
necessarily imply prejudice, jealousy
or hatred toward other countries or in
habitants thereof; on the contrary we
usually find that foreign born citizens
who have cherished proper regard for
kindred and the land of their birth
usually make the most conscientious,
upright and loyal citizens next to the
native-bo for true patriotism usual
ly implies intelligence and absence of
extreme prejudice, and it requires en-
lightment and proper education to fully
understand and appreciate the privi-
leges and rights of both self and native
born into whose country the foreigner
immigrates, even although such change
of residence is usually made for the
sole purpose of lettering the condition
of the latter without regard to the ad
vantage or disadvantages which may
result to the conditions of the former;
hence, gratitude, which should exist, if
exercised at all, usually springs from
an intelligent patriotism and an I'M
prejudiced, enlightened sense of justice
While duty may lead us to the protec-
ton of our own individual rights and to
the defense of our own country from for
eign invasion or aggression, yet however
powerful our nation may be, we should
not cultivate a disposition to use force
against other countries without suffi-
cient cause. While seeking to advance
our own interests by all fair and hon
Orable means is commendable, We
should not in a mistaken zeal suppose
that by injuring others interests ours
will thereby be promoted. If we are
wise, even self-interest will influence
a proper regard for the welfare of our
neighbOrS, for the more comfortable,
prosperous and happy are they the bet
ter prepared they are to do justice to
us financially and otherwise, and the
more pleasant and profitable it is to
live among them; while pecuniary
losses unjust taxation and most of our
troubles and consequent unhappinesS
arise from the presence of unfortunate
neighbors, who, through their innate
lack of honesty and thrift or neglect or
oppression, become paupers and Grim
inals; and the rule of conduct between
individuals and communities is equally
applicable to nations. In place of very
many dishonest politicians, our country
ought to produce the noblest patriots
that ever walked the earth; men, who,
having the honesty, courage and desire
to uphold the honor and dignity of our
own country, will seek to be equally hon
orable and dignified in dealing with
other nations. But
Our country first, our glory and our pride;
Land of our hopes, land where our fathers
died.
fathers died
When in the right Wen keep thy honor
bright,
When in the wrong, Wen die to set it right
MECHANIC.
Sacramento, April 5, 1898.