The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-06-26
FROM THE
COMMONER
THE TEST OF PATRIOTISM.
MIR. BRYAN'S PAPER

'''''" bII'I dVuIfSS, lbklhE as MS
subject The Test Of Patriotism" BE.
low VIII he found brief extract from
Mr.. Bryan's address:
Meeting again the men with whom
served for Il few months ten years
ago, my memory recalls many pleasing
incidents and many sad experiences
connected with the service. Among
those who are missing ! recall with
great distinctness my lieutenant colo
mel. Gen. Victor Vifqua!n who some
four years ago answered to the roll
call OF the Great Commander. Those
who served with me in the Third Ne.
braska will never forget him. OF all
the members OF our regiment he was
The chief in all that related to army
life and he won his way into the
hearts Of the members Of the regiment
by his kindness and consideration for
all We miss him tonight.
Il would not take a great deal for
what ] learned about human nature I'm
the army. Military service brings out
the best as weh as the worst, that is.
In men, and there is no place where
We can learn to know each other more
completely. | became well enough
acquainted with many Of my regiment
TO feel sure that II duty required them
TO march straight up to the cannon's
mouth, they would have exhibited AS
much courage as any of the heroes
who have fallen upon the battlefield
Il think learned In the army what
! never could have learned outside
OF the patient suffering endured by
those who spent a lingering Illness in
the hospital. Those who die upon the
battle field are inspired by the fife and
drum and sustained by the ardor Of
their companions but those who are
fever stricken and who, far away from
home and family, spend weary days
upon the cot or die without the com.
forting smile of kindred, these give
10 their country fun measure OF de.
votion.
! never knew so much of sickness
as learned In the hospitals, and my
experience with the sick suggested an
Improvement which | think might be
made In our military service The
chaplain is necessary part Of the
army and the difference between the
religious forms Of various churches
has convinced me that we ought TO
have two chaplains in each regiment
instead Of one. had in my regiment
both Catholics and Protestants. and | |
learned how great solaca It Is to n |
dying soldier to have one of his faith
with him to administer the last rites
and speak words OF hope and comfort
TO him. The Protestant clergyman
can not at such times fully meet the
needs OF the Catholic soldier and the |
Catholic priest can not at such times
fully meet the reeds Of the Protestant |
soldier Can not our government In |
Its abundance supply the needs OF |
both and contribute in this way to |
The peace OF the last hours Of those |
who enlist in their country's service? |
Those who are called upon for mill. |
tary service prove their patriotism by |
an obvious test. for no one can doubt |
the love Of country Of those who are |
willing to die for their country. | can |
not however, allow such an occasion |
to pass without suggesting that n |
mans patriotism can be tested In |
other ways than by army service. A |
generation has grown up since the |
civil war and until the Spanish war
these never had occasion to respond |
20 aun
present generation were needed in the |
Spanish war. II would be sad indeed |
II only those would be regarded as |
lovers OF their country who iiad had |
the occasion to don the uniform The |
real test Of the patriot Is to be found |
in his willingness to perform whatever |
duty his country calls for. and in n |
country like ours every year furnishes |
n battle field and every day there is d |
call to service. War might be de. |
scrIbed as the surgical operation that |
sewers limb that might he. saved BY |
earlier treatment. In proportion as we
discharge our civic duties In time Of |
peace we can prevent the resort tn |
war.
Lincoln. in his incompatible speech |
at Gettysburg, spoke Of the unfinished |
work to which the nation should con.
sccrate itsclf-the work of preserving |
the government of the people. by the |
people and for the people. This Is a |
continuing war. The war OF govern. !
mCnt, the war Of society, the war Of |
civilization is never ended Each gen.
Grafton finds an unfinished work when
It enters upon the stage and leaves
the work still unfinished when It. de.
parts. The generations which have
preceded ours have done their duty,
they have given us wonderful her.
itage. Those who have worked In
peace and those who have striven in
war have alike contributed to the
great structure which the revolution.
AIRY patriots planned. Our nation is
the worlds leader In all that goes TO
make up great nation and high
civilization, and We the people of the
nation. must prove our patriotism as
generation after generation IA cailed