The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-06-22
A food Composition On "Patriotism-'

Among the compositions on "Patrl-
otism" written by the pupils Vi ~
Johns School, this city, Is the FOL
lowing by Robert Barth, who during
tho mast wear has lead his class IN
English composition:
According to the many pesslmlsts
with which this world of ours a
hounds man is deteriorating, MS
good qualities are being quickly ana
surely undermined by innumerable VI
ces and faults. Luxury, sensuallty
and the conveniences of modern Gays
are all combining to rob him OF MS
noble qualities But be that as IL may
man has still many virtues lelt'
which contrast fayorably with those
M mast periods and we may sarely
saw that he will never lose all OF MS
ennobling qualities. Many virtues may
weaken and even die, but there Is
one quality which is universal, mas
stood the test Of centuries and is as
firm and strong as ever and tnat Is
Patriotism.
"True Patriotism may be classeo
as the purest impulse OF the human
heart. ranking next to the love Oh
God and religion. 1t is the vital spark
of a nations honor, the foundatlon vi
a. nations prosperity and the sTong
shield of a nations safety. we learn
from ancient history that the love Oh
ones country is an instinct implanted
in our breasts by God and that we
can never fully satisfy our duty TO
our Maker, unless this love OF coun-
try and fellow beings is manifested IN
noble self-sacriicing deeds that tenn
to the pride and glory or our country
The feeling an ordinary man mas
for the land Of his birth is one when
he has for no other person or tnlng
upon this earth. A true definition OF
this love would be difficult to md,
when a man has for his native land
love and veneration he has for nothing
else. when trouble, loss and pain tor
her cause are born cheertully ana
when he is willing to do anything IN
his mower to aid her and advance her
cause, and will lay down his life II
necessary, then but not till then may
he be called a Patriot
patriotism and Patriots are not
the work of a day, but the result OF
gradual slow growth. The men who
made their country free and famous
did not cultivate all this love and
self-sacrifice in a day, they began
when young, they loved their religion,
their schools and colleges with that
same love that characterized them in
after life. Work and trouble meant
nothing to them when undertaken
for the good Of their church or school,
and SO their veneration for their
church and school as boys grew into
love and labor for their native land
who do their work conscientiously in
this sphere where God has put them,
attending to their own business, be-
ing loyal to their community, loving
with all their hearts their country
and having an interest in the Whole
neighborhood of mankind. A patriot
is one who considers himself but
mere unit in the great bulk of hu-
mainly; and who considers it his du =
ty to help his fellow-men as far as
he is able by leading a good, noble
and self-sacrificing life. He helps his
country by the payment OF taxes, by
electing worthy men to public o1nces
and by supporting schools and educa-
tional centers. A man may be as true
a patriot as ever lived, he may love
his native land, with boundleSs love
and yet may be man OF peace. "
Connell was such a man; he loved
Ireland and wished to free her, but
the weapons he used were those Of
peace, he did not advocate blood shed
and yet he worked for and helped his
country as few others have done.
Like all other things patriotism
is initiated and counterfeited 1t is no
patriotism in protesting allegiance to
all the Stars and Stripes and main
tanning allegiance to all the forty
eight States, but neglecting the spot
where God has put you to live. Men
pose as patriots who have no real
love for their country, but love OF
power for themselves. Their motives
are not free and disinterested, but
are movements on their parts to bet
ter their own conditions. Brutus and
his felIOw-conspirators killed Caesar
for love of Rome, for Were they not
all honorable men," But strange to
say they wanted supreme power.
Robespierre was a true citizen" he
downed the aristocrats but sought to
be an autocrat himself Yet they said