Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-02
WORSHIP OF FLAG
NOT PATRIOTISM,
SAYS DR.. WATSON
Rector of st. Stephens Church
Thinks Calisthenic Devotion
to COlOrs Is Wrong.

The prevailing popular method Of
pendence Day; of conducting h spec
tacular public fiag-raising displays, and
OF teaching the school children prior to
the Fourth of July patriotic exercises.
in which the red, white and blue
emblem of the nation is the theme for
recitations and patriotic singing, does
not appeal to the Rev. DIR. Edmund A.
WATSON, the rector of st. Stephens's
Episcopal Church, this city.
It is not that the clergyman is lack
ing In patriotism or in esteem for his
country, but he terms the prevailing
s.hag-worship" a cheap substitute for
genuine patriotism.
Fourth of July oratory ha been a
popular joke" says the rector, and
every orator, whether statesman or
~blatherskite, makes the same spread
eagle speech, except that the latter is
somewhat more fervid.
Our new spectacular patriotism Is
of the same school. Everybody can be
patriotic in that fashion without try
ing. We cheaper patriotism to the
meanest level, for devotion to bunting
or to a song has nc moral element in
it whatever.
TN the last fifteen years new
schemes for promoting patriotism ave
been devised and put into effect.
First, the flag was sent flying over
the public schools. Next, children were
taught to respect the flag and recite
strong formulas of devotion to it. This
flag salute is sometimes introduced into
public gatherings, especially into
patriotic societies like the Sons Of the
Revolution.
Three Wnrs Under Old Regime.
"Americans fought England twice,
and the great Civil Wal was fought
and won under the old brand of patriot
ism. Who will claim that we are In
more patriotic. or any less, than the
generation before US?
What, then. is to be gained by this
rew-fangled cult of patriotism? 1t is a
cult borrowed from Europe, this spec
tacular and parrot patriotism, just as
CIR national anthem. ~so-called, is only
God Save the King" taken over with
cut the change of a note.
, Now. why do we have to import our
j 1triotism, or the juvenile exercises
M cant TO influence it, from Europe?
cannot we grow 1t in our own land, or
60 we have to cross the ocean to learn
patriotism?
The lesson that we are impressing
on our youngsters Is that patriotism
consists in going through some exer-
cises in honor of the flag and of rising
when the band starts up certain tunes.
Genuine patriotism should be taught
a certain regard for the symbols of
! atriotism, as a qualified and discrimin-
ating regard.
"A c~alisthenic, noisy patriotism
lei no time. no place and no dispo-
sit. on for instruction In the real nature
ind obligation of patriotism.
Love of country means far more
love OF flag. II we love IL father
cannot pick his pocket.
Now the tariff swindler robs his
country andShe is no patriot.
Best zsuIe for a Patriot.
ITO sworlksto learn, to help. and not to
cheat, or beecheated, is the best rule
Tor a patriot
THE mar who steals weakens his
country, for he consumes-an does not
produce. The man who wrongs others
kens hiscountry. for he ioosens the
bonds of'society.
The man who tolerates fraud, public
o. private, that he a resist, weakens
his country, forshe strengthens its enc
lnigs.
A patriot, after all, is only a good
citizen and one who does his duty by
his neIghbor. It IL those men that make
q country strong and glorious.
AN the interests that prey and fatten
on a great military establishment are
loud nag patriots.
s.But let us not be fooled. This new
Is not needed.
THE nag has not suffered in the past,
and no proper interest is advanced by
to the four winds how free n
brave we are.
"Substautiai interests, like Justice n
aeiglboriiness. and not sentimental
about the nag. are the true foun-d
dation of a peoples greatness