The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-05-29
\ ATRIOTISM, love of country, is
, sentiment that but very few
men are entirely without. But
Vol. XV.-No. 45.

men are entirely without. But
in spite of the universally of
this sentiment, seldom do men agree
on what should be the proper nantes
tation of it. The savage, a member of
a small tribe almost continually at war
with other small tribes, thinks there is
no nobler form of patriotism than that
which impels man to fight for his tribe;
to make his tribe feared, and therefore
respected, by other tribes. The bravest
fighter, the most successful hunter, is
tacitly, if not openly acknowledged as
the chief of the tribe, and stands for a
model which others try to emulate.
Considerations of right or wrong in the
meaning implied to the words by
civilized beings, find no place in the
patriotism of the savage.
AS we rise higher in the scale of
humanity we find among barbarians
the fightiug idea still uppermost in
their conception of patriotism. But
other ideas are crowding in; policy finds
place in the patriotism of the bar
barian, and the cunning man often con-
tests with the brave man for first place
in the affairs of the tribe, or associated
tribes. But the patriotism of the bar
barian is wholly selfish, and therefore
-shortsighted. To gain small and
temporary advantage over another
tribe he will violate his oath or promise,
and lose sight of the greater and more
permanent advantages that might be
his if he kept his oath or promise in
violate.
Among semi-civilized peoples we find
that notions of right and wrong form
part of their patriotism, but such
notions are as yet but weak and poorly
developed. Their wars are fewer than
the wars of the barbarians, and their
policy is more distinct and farsighted.
A certain amount of pride enters into
their patriotism, which cements them
closer together for veal or woe. The
pursuits of peace are encouraged, and,
tho strangers are as yet looked
upon with suspicion, they are not al
ways subjected to harsh treatment, but
are often tolerated, and sometimes
honored.
Civilized nations have loftier notions
of patriotism. Wars are looked upon
as evils-necessary evils, at times, it
must be admitted, yet to be avoided if
possible. The uniform of the warrior,
is not considered symbol of patriotism,
and in proportion as the warrior falls,
the wise statesman rises in the estima-
tion of the people as patriot. The
policy of truly civilized nation rests
upon the foundation of benevolence
towards all men. Strangers are re-
garded not as enemies, but as friends
and brothers. If there is a pride of
country it is because its inhabitants
are free in the fullest, noblest sense of
the word; because justice is within
reach of the poor as well as the rich;
because artificial class distinctions
have been abolished; because the nation
IS too hlgh-mlnded, too noble, to
oppress weaker nations. The noblest
patriots of a civilized country are they
who dare denounce corruption
wherever found, who have the courage
to point out the faults of, and the for
titude to bear reproach from, their own
people.
In an enlightened country, like our
own, we find every imaginable shade
aud form of patriotism. It may be set
down as an axiom that the peculiar
notions of patriotism entertained by
an individual are true indications of
his state Of mental and moral develop
ment. AS it is impossible to separately
examine every shade Of patriotism, we
will briefly consider three pronounced
types of it. Let US first consider the