The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-07-01
KEEPING ALIVE OUR NATIONAL
PRINCIPLES.

PRlNClfLES.
- long as human nature continues to
be what It is so long will hero worship,
that is. the examples OF great men be a
more powerful Influence than abstract
truth. Therefore the keepers OF the public
morals do wisely when tl'ey make use of
every opportunity which occurs toarouse
in the public mind an enthusiasm for
the 1eS whose lives embodied the greai
principles on which our national life is
built. such opportunities, fortunately
are scattered throughout the year, by
The recurrence Of our national holidays.
Not that osr people are much.siven ia
philos0phizing on these occasions n
holiday is for the most part, held TO be
time for putting away thought. not for
oourtiug it, aud there are special reasons
why American people. especially in -arge
comm uuities, foreign thorn or foreign
bred us the majority of them may be.
Time was when American children drew
IN veneration for the name Of Washing
ton with their mothers milk. and the
names Franklin and Hamilton, and Jetf-
erson. and Adams. were as familiar aud
us revered AS those of the sc2eolmasier;
the great principles which these names
illustrate, were part Of the fiber OF every
American heart. But the case is altered
now. Not all American citizens wer'
Iooux American children; geeat numbers
of them have no knowledge Of American
history, nor any interest in the grea
embodied. Another people has arisen witt
know not Joseph, aud who have no tradi
tious Of the past TO hold them true to th'
ideal OF American national life. All tn
great teachings OF our history are to then
simply non-existent, and hence. whci
they become naturalized, they have it'll
idea what it is TO be citizens; and thei
children. as they grow up. are us explor
ers in an unknown country, without ma
or guide.
These are reasons why the most shoul
be made OF our national festivals In tn
direct line sf keeping alive our nations
principles. and it is happy circums'
ance that our public schools have becom
awake to the fact. and are making IN
eSercIs,s Of the day before each nations
holiday point especially to that day.
is happy circumstance. too. that man
OF our country towns are gcag back
the good old way" OF celebrating u
..Glorisus Fourth: the parade and u
reading OF the Declaration Of lndepen'
ence aud the Grafton by sor.e geniu
local or imported Even the sprea'
eagleism which generally characteriz
such e6usions Is not without ats value
rckIudliug the fire OF patriotism. whic
is apt to be pretty deeply buried una
the ashes of commonplace seif-seeNing-
The trouble with Fourth of July or
fions. as with other public speeches.
thai they are too apt to deal in ''elitte
ing yrnersliues." aud have no deiinl
point that can leave n lasting imprcssio
IL is we'll enough TO expound and slorl
great principles, bat it is far better
exhibit them as manifested in liie-
Fourth of July oraiion which tells SON
thing OF the men who signed the Deciar
ton OF Independence. who they we're Al
what they did for their country, WIN
singles out Que or another OF them
especial description, will produce
effect which will remain long after
the grandilo9usnce Of The oraijon b