The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-18
The L.. =. \.

HERE arc no wildly cheering mobs in the
4 streets of the national capital Penn
sylvania Avenue resounds to no trampling of
armed men. No military bands harc forth
the Star Spanglcd Banner and no raucous-
throatcd patriots murder the tunes and twist
the words OF the national anthem. Citizens
are not springing from their desks to answer
the call 10 fight and die for the father,and
TO all appearances, the people of the United
States are satisfied to continue sclhshly en-
gagged in their own selfish occupations, with
no thought Of Old Glory
Yet ii is safe to say that the people of the
United States think as much OF their coun-
try as the peoples Of Europe think of theirs
Very likely they are much more thankful to
the Providence that gave them birth III the
Y. 5. A. than are the Germans and French
and Russians that they are Germans and
French and Russians. The mob which de-
stroycd the German embassy in st. Peters
burg and that other mob III Berlin which gave
way to paroXysm of rage against the Rus
sian ambassador believed. probably that
they were exhibiting the highest patriotism
and yet the quiet, peaceful American In his
Office or on the streets to-day, engaged in
his occupation of clothing self and family
and building up his community is as pa
triotic as the leader of those mobs. and has
more just cause for pride in his country
The war spirit is not always patriotism, and
always the greatest patriots The nation at
war is not the greatest nation. even though
successful and defiance OF the world is not
as great proof of greatness desire and
ability to keep peace with the world
The United States is our fatherland and.
II there were ever time when were fat
uously inclined to place the diplomacy. the
statesmanship and the patriotism Of the peo-
pies and rulers of other countries above our
own. that time has passed. We have been t. :
that our craftsmanship was inferior to til
OF Europe, and yet our government is a
model and our prosperity source of envy
We have been told that the diplomacy Of
Europe was the ideal, and ours a laughing
stock. and yet that OF Europe has plunged a
continent into war, while we are mt peace
and. if by any remote chance We should be
drawn into tho conflict. it will be as a direct
result OF European thickness and chicanery
and short-sightedness We are happy and
peaceful and prosperous. while Europe faces
death and misery and bankruptcy. We have
internal troubles and problems, but the mas
Ter minds Of the country are engaged III the
settlement of them. while the chancellcries
OF Europe arc working day and night piling
up new troubles and problems.
II all makes love better the United
States Of America. 1t is not so much that
our condition is better as that II is by our
own efforts that il has been made better. 1t
is not 50 much that we are at peace as that
our own craftsmanship and patience and
magnanimous dealings with weaker nations
have brought us peace. We love our coun-
try because its superior prosperity and it's
peaceful state arc due to ourselves and to
the leaders whom we ourselves have chosen.
That is our pride; that is the basis of our
pa triotism.