Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-16
PATRIOTISM.

In these days OF war excitement and
talk of patriotism" it might be well
TO consider what patriotism really Is.
cemetery-oity of the dead--ls a
good place to learn of those who have
been useful citizens. one expects ex-
iravagance of sentimental eulogy there.
but, making due allowance. there can
he found n fair estimate Of what peo>
pie were in life.
one of my earliest reconnoiterine
tramps in Salt 1.ale--it seems long ago
was to the city cemetery. One of the
Inscriptions that struck me. mentally,
was in memory of the man who had
planted the first potato seed In Utah.
When you think about it that was
worth concentrating on the silent
marble. Ii was the doing Of some
thing that has gone much farther to-
wards the making of prosperous Utah
than would have been the killing of a
thousand or ten thousand Indians-the
people who were at the time the only
enemies of the white settlers in Des-
eret.
In the same way It would be most
appropriate to honor the man or men
who introduced water to the parched
was worth vastly more to the country
than the Mexican war, which was at
heart bit of conquest for the purpose
OF extending negro slavery.
so also does he deserve the thanks
OF the people OF today who many years
ago introduced lucern to the wales of
Deseret.
Jefferson eulogized the man who
made two stalks OF corn grow where
only one had grown as public bene-
factor.
The men who have built American
railways, with the exception of some
who held up the government for thar
purpose nave been benefactors. In
ventors of improved agricultural ma
chinery; developers of mining Industry.
and, in short. all who have aided il,
any work that has added to the prog
less and prosperity of the country,
nave been among tie very best of our
patriots
That is to say, patriotism consists
not only in getting red in the face In
ones anxiety to don q uniform ana
rush out TO fight an impudent power
mat treads upon our national rights.
put also of that cool, quiet, reserved
force which. when 1t becames necessary
TO fight goes into the work human
shell that can choose the time and place
to do its deadliest work. Grant was a
splendid specimen of the soldier patriot.
hut there were many like him in those
red-hot years of rebellion. Dewey is
the type of fighting patriot now, and
n magnificent type he is. No waste of
powder in hurrah and red-fire on
parade! He went to work like n ranch
man directing his crews in the field. and
every man knew just what he had to
do. and did 1t without curiosity as to
what the others We're doing.
War shows only one phase of patriot
ism, but 1t gets credit for being the |
only patriotism. The impression pre- |
walls that 1t exists only In time of war. |
and hibernates in times of peace. That
cheapens the article. de-
grades 1t and makes the people only a |
mass of selfish grabbers who serve self !
regardless Of country in peace. ana |
serve the country through fever Of ex- |
element in war.
The best government in the world. IL |
we know what that is should be as un- !
impassioned in war as God in His
bearing towards imperfect humanity. If !
ours is the best We should look upon |
hits war with Spain as painful |
necessity. We should take thai hoary
assassin among nations by the collar. |
bend 1t over Uncle Sans knee, and let |
the old gentleman paddle II into sub
mission and good behavior with far |
more sorrow than anger. The best gov
eminent should be an example for all |
The world and schoolmaster for the |
nations. G
1t would be n good thing II we could so |
conduct the war as to make all people |
cry for freedom, and / think such is !
The wish of the chief executive of this
nation. l believe the American gov
ernment Is the heir of all the ages and