Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-30
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
HoNoRaNo THE FLAG.

It goes hard with any man in Amer ica who fails in outward respect for the flag. He is pretty sure to meet some one on the spot ready to punch his head, and persisting in disrespect- ful treatment of the nations banner, may easily in time find himself be- hind prison bars. This is exactly as 1t should be. The flag may be naught but "a few strips Of colored bunting, but as e symbol of centuries of strug- gle and sacrifice and achievement it Is enthroned in the Nations heart and is not to be trifed with.
 Respect for the flag. however. means more than a doffed hat when the par band strikes up The Star SpangIe Banner" It is on no such cheap and easy terms that one may make proof of his patriotism. Honor to the flag means not sentiment nor braggadacio out solemn and seasoned loyalty to certain great principles that Old Glory symbolizes. The red stands for sac- rifice. the white means purity, and the blue is the symbol of truth. It is in the exhibition of these noble qualities in his private life and in his civic re- lations that one really honors the flag.
 Patriotism has frequently become assoc lated with a disposition of nain.i by no means admirable It may mean carrying a chip on the shoulder and . willingness to fight anybody at the has so often been considered as prac- ttcally synonymous with the werd' jfngofsm that many people hesitate to use 1t. We can understand what Dr. Johnson meant when he called patriotism the last refuge of sceund- in all ages who desired to put over something a little shady. to hide be- hind love of country. The famous toast Is not a lofty one when it is analysed: My, country, may she ai- ways be right, but right or wrong, iny country.' That spirit has led to many fagrant injustice and to many O cruel needless war. A better senti- ment would be: My country, may she always be right, but if she is It is. and ought to be. difficult for one whose native land is steadfastly cruel or unjust to own eternal allegiance to 1t. One sympathizes with suoh men as the revolutfonist of Russia who said: Why should we love Rus there. when she has given us noth- ing from our birth but persecution and blows?'
 To love one,s country enough to strive to keep her in the path of duty flower of patriotism. 1t is no stain on the Stars and stripes to be tram pied under foot by an occasional crazy anarchist The only stain the flag can receive is in being lifted over an unrighteous cause. Mud will wash out but there is a moral tarnish that is indelible.
 Over many soldiers grave the words of the Latin poet Horace are written in enduring granite or bronze: "Dulce ct decorun est pro patr1a mor1:-It is sweet and glorious to die for ones country" Memorial day calls the Nation to new acknow1edg- ment of the debt we all owe to the countless dead who made the last sacrifice on the field of battle. IL is for us who remain to realize that it is also sweet and glorious to live for ones country. Patriotism is not sole ly . matter of firing guns. Not many cf us. please God. will be called to die for America But the call for sacrf- hcfaI. patriotic living was never so loud. nor the field for It's activity so exceeding broad as at this very hour.
 XIIE PARSOE,