The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-05-31

increase that has come to us, and to
acknowledge that what we are we
owe to the ability and the patriotism
that has been characteristic of the
people of the land. God has thus in
directly made us the means of carry
ing out His purpose.
But, we are apt to think OF these
things with spirit Of selfishness, and
to forget that we come into a heri-
tage that we did little to win, and as
little to secure. We owe to the strong
courage and the wise craftsmanship Of
the past the great and glorious wealth,
national, social, moral, all that we
possess. We may well say "other
men have labored and we have en-
tered into their labors."
Patriotism.
The patriotism that has made all
this possible must be maintained.
Our children should understand that
great word in its fullest and its best
sense. For what Is patriotism? 1t is
the love OF country expressed in the
best terms of life and conduct towards
the flag and the country. II we wane
q true definition OF this, we have to
| look around us. Patriotism means
something different in our country,
from what 1t does in any other coun-
try. If we go to Russia for instance,
1t means a complete submergence OF
all personalities, and the acceptance
without murmur or dispute of the will
of one man. If we go to Germany.
T it means the acceptance OF at least the
divine right of kings, and the main,
tenance Of the throne and its powers.
In England where there is the largest
possible liberty known under con.
stitutional monarchy, we have still
the reigning house claiming loyal sup.
port, so that with all OF them there IS
lacking the broad and true meaning OF
the word. Here we accept liberty with
all its limitations of possible mistake,
and freedom which sometimes falls
| into characteristic errors. But we ac-
cept these things, and believe that
we have the best possible definition
lived out in the minds and hearts OF
| the people. And we want to bring this
to our children in as forcible way as
! we can. Teach them that there is nc
| flag like our flag, and no country ike
| the great country over which 1t waves
That there is no constitution like ours
| aand none more worthy o.
the earnest and intelligent sup
port which we give It. ma
/ all have the right of life. liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. and thai
We welcome to its privileges all whe
deem it worth their while to become
good and honest citizens. Patriotism
/ is something. more than word, 1t Is
the strength and the beauty OF the
national life which has been developed
here.
In like manner we want to remem
Der that the truest patriotism IS onl.
expressed through a manhood wnlcf
has high ideals and the courage ant
4 patience to work them out. This Il
4 what made the continuance OF thu
union possible in those dark days whel
/ men went with their lives in thei
hands to make the one flag possible
! What wonders have been wrought D.
i patriotic men. How quickly the ma
! tion responded to their bravery, AM
how soon as history works have Tn
scars been forgotten because tn
wound is healed. When we think Q
4 the lives and labors of other men Il
other lands. we have additional caus
Il for thankfulness. Kossuth, living an
working for a free Hungary that neve
came. Garibaldi spending his hes
days and his greatest strength Tor
united and peaceful Italy, and hi
q dream is vet far from fulflmen'
Poland staining its soil with the bloc
of scores Of longing patriots. and
d vet under the iron heel of a despoti
power. Cromwell sowing the seed
which have not yet borne their flu
harvest in England, and we with on
country, one flag, one people, and on
aim. For what ever other problei
we NAV have to face in the future,
this land and flag should last for
thousand years, there will never b
! breathed the word secession her
! again. 1t is dead and forgotte
word. In less than half a century W
}, have secured what the Europea
J; heroes have been working and longin
/ for these many years. and to us th