The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-20

OF determination Of armies and sink
ing Of battleships, Of strategy and mil
itarlsm, Of fighting and death, when
across the seas every man arises to
the call of his country to fight out his
life blood for her cause in cruelty,
blackness and death. We naturally
turn an introspectlye view upon our
feeling for our own America and every
man, woman and child clasps hands
as the thrill Of patriotism arises in
their breasts and leaves them tingllng
( with desire to do something worth
while for their own native land.
What is this thrill OF patriotism
This love Of country and loyalty to
It's life weal-love, tender and strong;
loyal generous and disinterested,
| shrinking from no sacrifice, seeking
no reward save our country's honor
and the country's welfare. This leads
to the question OF what is our coun-
try?' What is love Of country. Is
It simply our vast extent OF land, of
rich plains and towering mountains,
lonely foothills and rushing rivers
tho magnificent scenery Of the Rockies,
the splendor of our peaks and canyons,
the grandeur Of our Niagara. or the
tropical beauty of Florida? The wealth
that lies buried In our mountains or
the millions received from our crops?
But we shake our heads. No 1t can
not be the beauty Of our America IN
which we have combined little OF
the scenery OF the whole world or in
the empowering store Of natural re-
sources, in which Is embodied our
love Of country, for that spark Of love
was there brightly glowing in the
colonial days and the successes OF the
Revolution depended upon 1t. Then
long before much OF the land which
discloses the beauty Of our country
had been added and the wealth that
the old hills and mountains have CIV
en- up was yet buried in their hearts.
The land has been rapidly deycl-
oped. Enterprises Of every descrlp-
lion have grown UP in our midst. Bus
Iiness has become almost overpowering.
Commerce has played its great part
Our trading vessels now sail Into
every port. Capitaliand labor wages
its great battles. Learning has ad-
vanced to the highest stages OF any
place in the universe. Science has
raised us to a marked place in the
progress OF civilization and art and
literature have made us as whole a
i cultured nation. But to what, we ask,
is this great advance, this marvellous
growth, due? And the question is
still open. What makes up our coun-
try, what arouses in us this thrill Of
patriotism? And then the answer
! flashes quickly before us: 1t is her
people. Our forefathers it was who
landed on these rocky coasts, fought
and struggled through their pioneer
days, cultivating all that they had un-
| til they gained sufficient strength to
throw off the yoke OF the tyrant and
make for us under the stars and the
stripes q republic-a country with
the freest government on the face Of
the earth, whose strength lies in pat
riotism. And this country is most
thoroughly represented by the sacrl-
fees Of our Revolutionary fathers, the
struggles Of our army and the valor
Of our citizens in the wars OF the re-
public, the achievements OF Washing
ton and the martyrdom of Lincoln.
When we concede that it is Of the
people, for the people, by the people,
that our great country is made, thcn
we come back to the fact that 1t Is
love and loyalty to the American that
composes our patriotism. And 1t Is
upon that fire of patriotism, that this
great free nation depends for Its
strength and progress A fire to tenn
per and mold 1t is as we'll as to send
into flame in the rush of the con-
tlagratlon OF battle. The Revolution
and the Civil war proved great tests,
and showed the loyalty and sacrifice
Of our people,. ready to die at their
country's call for the causes Of free
people and a united people. War was
necessary then and it was true pat
riotic fame that was set glowing In
the hearts OF those heroes who died
to give their people what was their
greatest need. Wars that can bring
no great good to their people lack the
true fire that inspires patriotic ma
ton. So here can no longer be the
fear Of the death Of patriotism, in the
times OF peace, true patriotism does
not require the martial music and
marching feet combined with the roll
of battle and the cry Of death to keep
It awake. 1t is the soul Of the nation
sensitive to every heart throb of hap
piness or despair Of tho countrys
people. :,
The safety Of the republic lies in
the ylgilant, active patriotism of tho
American people. So in these days Of
rapid progress, 1t is necessary that
every one be busy at the two fold
task Of freeing the country OF menace
/ of forces which are dangerous to pat
riotism OF it's people. and of building
up and strengthening those forces that
will nourlsh the low burning fame and
fan 1t back to bright and healthy
glow.
The work naturally starts with
the childhood Of the race. Every Ell.
I fort should be put forth to help In
the line Of eugenics so that our race
may he strong and healthy one. To
kgrow strong might be their motto
\ And to attain strength and soundness
I OF body the children must be cared
for. the enormous death rate Of In
fants in our cities checked by proper
care and instruction, diet kitchens and
free nurseries are almost necessities