Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-07-09
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3 The Nations birthday :
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better patriots than we have been in the
past. While good patriot is always a
good citizen and good man, those who
pass as good men or good citizens are not
always good patriots
The dictionary defines a patriot to be
one who is Jealous i'll defending and
supporting the interests of his country,
aud Patriotism as devotion to the inter
ests and welfare of ones country The
definitions, however, fall far short of con-
veying to the mind an intelligent concep.
tion of patriotism. There are two kinds
of patriotism-the one which saws INV
country, right or wrong; this may be
called natural patriotism, and is only an
expression of the natural law of self
preservation; it is the coarser kind, and
is only called for when the nations life
is threatened by foreign foe. There is
another, truer, better patriotism, which
tor want of better name l call domestic
patriotism, and which should be exer-
clsed by the citizen every day and every
hour of his existence; should be ever
present, and the guide to his thoughts
and conduct wherever he may be, what
ever his activities are. It is to this kind
of patriotism desire today to call your
attention.
You will observe that country as
used i'll the dictionary definition, can not
mean the inanimate matter contained
within certain geographical boundaries,
because such matter cannot have any in
terests or welfare to promote or to be de-
Tended; but it must and does mean the
interests and welfare of the people living
within certain geographical boundaries
hence, patriot is one who is jealous in
defending the interests of his fellow-men
living with him within certain geograph
ical boundaries, and patriotism is devo
tion to the interests and welfare of sucl
people. I would that this conception O
patriotism be SO impressed upon out
minds that it would be ever present, and
living principle of our being. If it
were fewer crimes would be committed
in the name of patriotism and scoundrels
would not be allowed to take refuge un-
der its protecting wing. Patriotism does
not consist i'll supporting and defending
established institutions because venerable
III age or because they were good in the
day when instituted. Every patriot in
every land, whose name is honored and
whose praise is sung by the present gen
Grafton, was a rebel toward the establish
ed institutions Of his day.
"The immortal Washington, whose
name heads the list of the worlds patri-
OTIS, opposed and overthrew established
institutions which had been good in their
day, but which had ceased to promote
the welfare of the colonists; and, as true
patriots, he and his colleagues sought to
establish a new institution which would
give the people greater peace, greater
happiness, greater prosperity. I say, a
new institution because, in fact they
sought TO establish only one-the great
cornerstone of the national foundation,
on which every other national institution
must rest or be alien to its ideals. That
cornerstone was Liberty-the goddess
whom all, in public and private, worship
= thrice sweet and gracious, whose taste
is grateful, and ever will be till nature
itself shall change. 1t should be the es-
sence Of all American social life. The
least retrenchment Of that liberty, if un-
checked, will mark the commencement
of the final fall of the American nation.
Hence the first, the great duty of the
American patriot is to repel, with his life
if need be, the first encroachment, from
whatever source it may come, on the lib
erty of the citizen to exercise his Cod
given right to life and the full enjoyment
thereof
" When any institution fails to secure
to the most humble citizen life, liberty,
and happiness, it thereby forfeits its
right to longer endure on American soil.
and every American citizen will commit
a crime against posterity if he longer
countenances its existence. Age can not
excuse evil, and when all institution ex-
hibits a malign influence on society, no
matter how old it may be or how venera-
BILE it has been, the true patriot will not
allow such considerations to prevent him
from doing all he can to remove it and