Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-09

Rock Island, Jan. 9.-Editor The
Argus: There never has been a time
in the history OF our great country
when true patriotism was needed
more as dominant element in the
character of citizenship than today.
There is much error and pretense
among certain classes as TO the pos
session of this important attribute of
character. due largely to ignorance
of the real meaning of the word. |
find that the dictionary says that
patriotism is love of country or de-
votion to the interests and welfare
of ones country
Now with this definition in mind
we know there are a good many cit
izens who are not working for the
best interests of the community or
country, and, therefore. are not pat
riotic. But it is possible that we
may hear some OF these men say,
why l shouldered a musket and
went to war and risked my life for
my country and would do ii again
if it were necessary" That man
possesses what We may term mill
tary patriotism. His life may today
be used TO defeat every civic move or
righteous cause which means an up
lift for the community. He has not
one patriotic heart throb of the kind
of patriotism we need today. I honor
the man who left his home and loved
ones and marched TO the firing line
in defense of his country, but today
we need a different kind of patriot
ism. not in spirit but manifesto
-, 49,,
a military patriotism; one which de-
votes itself TO the principles actually
endangered: a patriotism that does
not necessarily devote itself TO the
building of Notifications and navies,
so much as putting forth its best eff
forts TO purify politics, and substi-
tute statesmen for demagogues; not
q patriotism which rallies around
the flag" so much as one which
rallies round the ballot box" Not
a patriotism which charges into the
deadly brush, but one which
smashes the machine" Not so
much a patriotism which offers it
self to die for ones country so much
as one which is willing 10 live for
ones country, which is as much
more heroic as it is more difficult.
Such patriotism calls for courage
no less than that which devotes it
self to military service. 1t calls for
men brave enough TO face the hatred
of pot-house politicians who are as
mean as they are INSCRIPTIONS. 1t
calls for men who dare to be unpOp-
ular: who dare to be misunderstood
and misrepresented; men who dare
oh
abused men who dare to- suffer in
their business and if need be in their
bodies: men who can wait for vindi-
cation because they are working not
for applause but for principle.
This is the kind OF patriotism and
these are the kind of men that we
need in this present Goth century
civilization and this class is strongly
represented among those who cast
SCI majority for the commission
form of government. The American
citizen is becoming thoroughly
aroused to the fact that our country
has been misruled and piundered by
the demagogue long enough and
while the citizen has been patient
and long suffering, the time is now
at hand when he will stand for IL no
longer. This is the spirit that is go
ing to select good. capable men 10
rule our city for the next four
years.
II is well to remind ourselves At
this time that there are two funda-
mental principles on which our po-
litical structure is based. namely.
that OF local self government and
that of federation or union
Local self government is necessary
TO the exercise OF our liberties and
federation Is necessary TO their
preservation. These two principles
are like the two abutments Of the
Brooklyn BRIDGE Destroy either and
and you destroy the structure.
The principle OF federation or
union which protects our liberties