Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-07-07
FROM THE
COMINONER
THE TEST OF PATRIOTISM.
MIR. BRYAN's PAPER

Go1 VT fAl ISms
AT the first reunion of the Spanish
war veterans of Nebraska held at Lin
coin Thursday, June 4, Mr.. Bryan de-
liyered brief address, taking as his
subject The Test of Patriotism" Be
low will be found a brief extract from
Mr.. Bryan's address:
Meeting again the men with whom
/ served for few months ten years
ago, my memory recalls many pleasing
incidents and many sad experiences
connected with the service. Among
those who are missing l recall with
great distinctness my lieutenant colo
mel, Gen. Victor Vifquain, who some
four years ago answered to the rcll
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 great deal for
what l learned about human nature in
the army. Military service brings out
the best, as well as the worst, that Is
in men, and there is no place where
we can learn to know each other more
completely. became we'll enough
acquainted with many of my regiment
to feel sure that If 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.
II think l learned in the army what
never could have learned outside
of the patient suffering endured by
these who spent 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
to their country full measure of de-
votion.
II 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. l had in my regiment
both Catholics and Protestants, and I
learned how great solace it is to
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 sNch times fully meet the
needs of the Catholic soldier and the
Catholic priest can not at such times
fully meet the needs 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 milf
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
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
to a call to arms, and only few Of the
present generation were needed in the
Spanish war. 1t would be sad indeed
II only those would be regarded as
lovers of their country who had 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 q
country like ours every year furnishes
battle field and every day there is a
call to service. War might be de-
scribed as the surgical operation that
sewers a limb that might be saved by
earlier treatment. In proportion as we
discharge our civic duties In time Of
peace we can prevent the resort to
war
Lincoln, in his incompatible speech
at Gettysburg, spoke of the unfinished
work to which the nation should con-
secrate itSelf-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
ment, the war Of society, the war Of
civilization is never ended. Each gem
Grafton finds an unfinished work when
1t 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 a 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 thatsgoes to
make up a great nation and a high
civilization, and we, the people ofsthe
nation, must prove our patriotism as
generation after generation is called
upon to meet new problems and new
difficulties.
"The Spanish war removed the pre-
JUDGE that the civil war aroused. The
sons Of those who wore the blue and
the sons of those who wore the gray
marched with each other ten years
ago and We'd with each other in their
loyalty to the government and to the
governments ideals. The soldiers