The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-05-29
Patriotism Is Quite a Broad
Subject
(By John b. Lewis

Patriotism is a subject so broad
and comprehensive that 1t might be
easier to tell what 1t is not than to
define what it is or should be. Much
that poses as patriotism Is mere
eagle screaming" an hysterical out
burst that soon exhausts itself and
yanishes completely when called upon
for real service.
The Century Dictionary defines pa
triotlsm as the passion which moves
a person to serve his country, either
In defending 1t from invasion or in
protecting It's rights and maintaining
It's laws and institutions While
this statement covers the ground fair
ly well 1t is capable of many divisions,
so many, indeed, that volumes might
be written along the various lines in
dictated.
During the Civil War there were pa
triots upon both sides of the questions
at issue, each fighting for what to
him seemed best for his country, rep
resented by his own geographical sec
ton. 1t Is sublime to thus immediate
oneself, but it is 81 eater by far to SO
live for ones country that the loftiest
ideals of citizenship shall be attained
therein
While the valor of the soldiers Of
the sixties will ever furnish theme
for song and for story, ind deserves
the eulogy and gratitude of all future
generations the energy and determine
ton shown by these same young men
on their return to civic life, taking up
as they did the threads of normal ex-
istence which had been so rudely sew
cred and weaving them into fabric
which includes every worthy line Of
human achievement, Is equally pa
triotic" and worthy of commendation.
Greater than all is the truly patrio-
tic spirit which actuates many Of
those men today, both of the north
and the south, who, rising superior to
all former differences, are seeking to
cement firmly the bonds of reconcile
alton while yet the friendly handclasp
between those who once were foes Is
possible.
Patriotism of the finest type may be
found In the home, in the school, in
10 1rIrp ho IN, hn off In hn
courts, in the halls of legislation
everywhere when the object sought Is
upliftment The mother who teaches
her children consideration for the
rights of others; the father who sacri-
fees his own comfort and qualification
that his boys and girls shall have the
best equipment for lives of useful
ness the man of affairs who deyotes
a portion of his time and means for
the general welfare; the husbandman
who seeks the enhancement of ma
lures bounty that all may be bene
fitted; the philanthropist who strives
to raise the fallen and to succor the
needy; the man or woman who shares
advantages for culture and enjoyment
with those less fortunate-all who In
any way are striving to add to the sum
total of human happiness and uplift-
ment and prosperity, are serving their
country and may be ranked as pa
triots.
All honor to the men who saved our
country from disruption. Their !
deeds have made them immortal and
their memory will survive the ages to
come. There are, however, various
Kinds of patriotism, and the man Tor
the woman) who gives to his commun-
ity or his country the best service OF
which he is capable, in the position
wherein he is placed, whether civic or
military, may well be designated as
patriotic.