The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-02-08
PROTECTION AND PATRIOTISM.
BIZ Pnor. joins BAscon, Of wIllams College.

The fullest, frmest expression Of national strength is patriotism.
All other gains include themselves in this one magnificent product.
Free institutions, II developed along their true lines of growth, espec-
tally favor patriotism. If turned aside from the public welfare, they
are peculiarly inimical to it. The sense of justice, to civic conditions
essentially the same for al under the public veal. Is the foundation Of
love Of country. Inequality Of opportunities, the grasping temper of
! the strong, are most unfavorable to that good viii which should incite
men in pursuing their common welfare.
Protectionism, as developed in the United States, is profoundly OPP
/ posed to patriotism. 1t begets a temper forgetful of the public
welfare, exactng in private claims, and full Of personal strife. This
/ sits own inner disposition; and, once established as a public policy,
! it carries this disposition with it every where in all forms of civic
action.
I One of the surprises in the development Of our national life has been
/ the spirit of private appropriation as opposed to the public welfare
! which has taken possession Of us. We have set no limits to individual
enterprise. If a franchise could be secured, no scruples have stood In
the way. Legislation which aimed at an equal division of advantages,
as in the restricted sale of public lands. has been banded in every variety
Of method. Lands which were devoted to the public education became
the prey of the and-grabber. The policy Of private thrift, which gained
such a foothod in protection, has spread everywhere. Our railroads
have been left in the hands of corporations for narrow and personal
uses. Private property has grown up in our streets and highways, and
the commercial opportunities which have been the fruit OF our common
enterprise have been converted into personal possessions. The indirect
evils Of protection have far exceeded. its direct evils. A temper has
been engendered which has respected no public claim and spared no
common privilege.
If there has been war, we have had shoddy clothing, embalmed beef
and a rush OF the incompetent into prominent positions. We have
made Of office another form of spoil. No interest Of peace or of war
has been of too great moment to be exploited by those nearest at
hand. In protection we unleashed the eager pack of hounds that
now rush smiling and baying in all directions till a cat or kitten
can escape. The dostrne Of the equality of rights simply furnishes
the distractions to be leaped in this hurdle race.
This temper has already gone far to endanger the public safety.
Our chief mkrule is the corruption Of our cities, and their corruption
is primarily the product of the political contributions of corporations
which buy the good viii of political parties in absolute indifference to
the public welfare. They remain idle spectators of the abuses of gov
eminent if their own schemes are left to prosper
Is not the public welfare identical with the wealth of individuals?
This is the question we have put ourselves and we have answered it
with the policy o. protection till we have difficulty in resisting a ship
subsidy to rebound to the benefit of such corporatons1as the Standard
Oil Company. Patriotism cannot thrive in the atmosphere we have 7
provided fl. it If we would restore and strengthen love Of country, !
we must get back to the prosperity Of the masses Of men-the people ]
and the nathn-as the true aim of government. !