The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-07
A Lesson In Patriotism.

and reason, may not properly be with
held, and could not be fairly considered
as unpatriotic, much less as seditious.
Some six score years ago, her North
American colonies wthstood Great
Britain and organized and established
the government of the United States.
The quality of the colonists as a body,
the quality of the men they chose for
their leaders and representatives, is
one of the we'll understood facts of
history. Their capacity for self gov
eminent was never matter of ques
ton. In private virtue and equipment
for the responsibilities of government
they had few equals and no superiors.
The contributions of their statesmen
to the cause of free, enlightened self
government, their definition of the
inalienable rights of men and evolution
of the principles of popular govern
ment, have placed them in the front
rank of the men of all ages. They
were people who knew their rights
and knowing dared, and were able, to
maintain them. In civil and military
history their chosen leaders are among
the most eminent personages Of all
time. They were poor in this worlds
goods, but, poor as they were, the King
of Great Britain was not rich enough
to buy them. Only one of their num-
Der yielded to temptation, and, with
his ancient prototype, he has ever since
been the incarnation of treason and
infamy. They practiced the human
tiles and observed the amenities of CIV
ilized people in peace and war.
Now when the men or newspapers
who are opposed to the present admin
istration of this government fortify
their opposition by instituting compar-
isons between the Filipinos as body,
or their leaders individually, and the
men of the American Revolution, they
80 tax peoples sense of fairness and
decency, they so beg all the facts in
the case, that they are at once discred-
tied and their efforts are regarded with
ridicule. If this was the end of the trav-
esty on truth the public could afford to
laugh and dismiss the masqueraders
with its pity or contempt. But this
fashion of opposing the government is
full of evil. The heroes of these miss
fit eulogies, like Aguinaldo, are pulled
up by praise and melted to insurrec.
ton. 1t all means the prolongation of
war, a larger sacrifice of life and ex-
penditure of treasure, to beat out Of
silly or wicked heads the decisions with
which they have been tenanted by
these mischievous and seditious utter
ances and publications. In his Memo
rial Day address in Boston General 10.
Wheeler, in the following extract from
his remarks, read these false guides and
t and their followers an impressive les
: son in patriotism:
All will concur that while it is commend
able in the highest degree for any OF our
citizens, whatever their occupation or po-
sition, to al the executive and his cabinet
by information or advice, all should realize
that when the people, Congress and the ex-
ecutve become thoroughly committed to a
defined policy, advice and aid should be
rendered, and should be given in manner
calculated to assist in the urpose sought
to be achieved. When our sons and broth
ers are in line Of battle fighting daily and
hourly, those intrusted with the RESPONSE
bility should have the most earnest and cor
dial support of every American. Great ap-
plause.)
When war comes upon US, the surest pos
sible way to bring it to prompt and hon
| orable termination is to keep the world as
! sured that every effort mental and physi
! cal, and every resource of our people are
unalteraby united and will be irresistibly
exerted to maintain the safety, prestige and
honor of the country. Patriotic devotion
can be exercised by volunteering to serve
in the field, but it may also be most profit
ably exerted in encouraging confidence
among our people at home Certainly, nc
good, and only evil, can come from words
and acts which tell rival nations that ever
n a portion of our people, however few, arr
II not in full sympathy with our government
, or, what is worse, that any Americans &C
tually do sympathize with our country
enemies. Such a course cannot fail Il
weaken confidence and embarrass the ex
y. ecutive power. Those who insist that tn,
power Of the United States is so great tina
it must always triumph will admit tina
difficulties or obstacles created by some o
our own people will have the effect of re
tarding, at least in some degree, the promp
and happy restoration to perfect and last
ing peace.
!. am one of those who firmly believe tina
" whatever is is right, and cannot doubt bu
- that when conditions are thrust upon
, country by a course of events following
well-judged and righteous action on tn
part OF the people and the government, tn
consequences could not be otfe than bene
fetal, not only to the people Of our country
but to the world at large. There is one sen
n timent which should be impressed on ever