The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-06-06
E11RNsBuRc K1rrrAs County, WASH.


it not moved to pride and exultation
by the thought of country and of
home. were it not driven to resent
ment and impelled to heroism when
the nations flag is assailcd OF her
rights transgresscd, the liberty
which we prize would be mOckery
and the freedom which we enjoy "A
farce. Little wonder. then. that
! this divinest sentiment of the human
heart should become the theme of
the orators eloquence and the in
spiration of the poets dream. Little
woven into the songs of people
and have become the source of their
ideals and their ASPIRATIONS
What is patriotism, this all-pow-
crful. all-embracing virtue. which
has made more martyrs than religion
itself. which has made the dcspot
tremble and the corruptionist cringe!
"Patriotism" it is said. lis love and
devotion to ones country; the spirit
that. originating in love of country.
prompts to obedience to its laws, to
the support and defence of its exist
cnce. rights. and institutions. and to
the promotion of its welfare. If
this be patriotism. then he and he
only is patriot who possesses and
practices these cardinal virtues. The
true patriotism is as necessary in
the days of peace as in the days of
war. These days of great political
and commercial activity need patri-
otism just as much as the days when
the cannon roar and when the
breast is barred unflinchingly to the
glistening steel and to the deadly
shot and shell These days when the
corruption of some of our states and
cities makes the nation blush in
shame. when great interests vitality
affecting the lives of our citizens
are being concentrated into oppres-
sive. plundering monopolies when
thousands of our inhabitants in
bands of anarchists calling them
selves the Il. WV" dare to insult
and to trample upon the American
flag and cowardly public officials
fear to stop such outrages. these
days need patriotism just as much
as the days of TO- when the heroes
IF Xall "a Il
marched without a murmur through
driving sleet and binding snow. or
the days of "6l" when the hydra
headed monster of secession was fast
encoiling the nation in its deadly
embrace.
We would not if We could detract
from the glory and rcnown of our
nations defenders All praise to the
American soldiers and sailors and
their gallant commanders. All glory
to those staunch and steadfast pa
tIiots, who in the hour of destiny
made their names immortal by the
achievement of heroic deeds. AS
long as liberty has an admirer OF
freedom a friend. mankind will con-
tinue to recall with pride the battles
and the wars, the sieges and the
! campaigns of their ancestors and to
defy the deeds and devotion of their
chosen heroes.
1t is we'll that it should be thus /;
for the ideal should ever be the in
spiration of the real. History is a
record of ideals; progress but a re-
alization of ideals. Lift the story
of great and noble life before a
nation, and the whole nation is up
lifted by the power and influence of
the example. Shed the light of a
sublime and perfect character upon
people, and their pathway is illu-
mined for advancement. The char
acter of Washington dominates our
history, and his achievements have
become the inspiration of millions.
The martyrdom of Nathan Hale fills
the hearts of his countrymen with
an answering fidelity to duty and
tells them how patriot can die.
The grim determination of Grant
nerves us with a longing to do and
to dare, to overcome all odds and
to repel all adversely. The strug-
giles and sacrifices of the unnamed
millions, the great common soldiery.
who followed and did not lead, who
left heart and home at their coun-
try's call, who willingly endured the
sickness and hardship of many a
weary campaign, who when COM
manded marched unfalteringly into
the very jaws of death-these teach
us the grandest lesson of all, abso-
lutte obedience to the voice of author
ity.
Yet there is a longing for the
spectacular and a desire for the
grand and glorious in the huma n
heart which makes hardship easier
to bear and adversely easier to over