Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-06-27
A TRUE AMERICAN.
MARION THOM,

When our ancestors first emigrated
| from Europe to America, they came for
the sake OF greater liberty. AS time
| elapsed, and the mother country grew
more and more oppressive, and their OBJ
! Ject seemed daily further from accomp-
! llshment, a fierce desire for independence
! gradually grew up. As a result, the
Revolutionary War was fought, that
there might be establi she'd on this CONT
nent "a government Of the people, by
the people and for the people" This
government has been handed down to
us. and it is now the most perfect repub
| lie in the world.
Every true American is proud, and
justly proud of his country. American
patriotism is known the world over. No
true American would hesitate an instant
to give up his life for his country's
welfare. You have he doubt all heard
OF the mock election which took place
in AndersOnville prison in Nov. 1864.
The men had received word, that Abra-
ham had been renOmiated upon a plat
form which declared for the continuance
of tile war, and that George Mcclellan
had been nominated upon platform
which declared for it's discontinuance.
They knew that if Mcclellan were elect
ed, they would again see their homes
and loved ones, but that their beloved
flag would be dishonored, the Union dis
solved. Lincoln's election, on the other
hand, meant the continuance of the war,
with the horrors Of Andersonville and
almost certain death for themselves
Election day came. Many too weak to
walk, craWled to the polls on their hands
and knees, others were borne there in
a Of f0I mi do Ill
know the result Of that ballot. Not a
single vote for Nc Clellan! Though the
soldiers knew they would never see
home and friends again, they were will
ing to sacrifice their all for the Union
and their belief "that life without liber-
ty, was not worth the living" In
speaking of the patriotism of the
heroes. of the Civil War our mar
tired president VIM. Mckinley said:
1--WE must not forget, my fellow-country
men that the Union which these brave
men, preserved and the liberty which
they secured, places upon us, the living,
the grayest responsibility We are the
freest government on the face of the
earth. Anarchy falls before patriotism.
Peace and order and security and liberty
are safe so long as love Of country burns
in the heart of the people,"
1t does not require war and conflict to
call forth this love of country. It is
pity that when we mention patriotism
we almost always think OF the soldier.
The true American, is patriotic in time
OF peace, no less than in time of war.
Indeed, he may have greater hardships
to undergo, greater sacrifices to make,
and greater difficulties to contend with,
than those which meet the soldiers on the
field OF battle. He must exhibit his pat
rlotlsm with his brain and speech as
the soldier does with his arm and sword.
He must be willing to grapple with the
great problems which confront the nat
ion, to sacrifice his life, if necessary, for
his principles. In a word, as some one
has said, The is one who influences the
world all around him, changes it's meth
DDS OF living, gives it higher motives,
puts the stamp OF improvement every
where
In order to do this he must be intelli-
gent, and in this respect the American is
pre-emlnently superior to other men. In
republic such as ours, intelligence is
absolutely essential. A man must have
some knowledge of the laws and condit-
ion OF affairs in the government, so that
he may vote in the manner which will be
most beneficial to his country. That the
United States realizes the need of intel
llgent citizens is evidenced by the fact
that millions of dollars are annually
expended in the country in the cause of