Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-10-08
TRUE PATRIOTISM
( x = X 4 i X 4 i x \ X X

In times of strife as now patriotism
comes to be a popular and much talked
subject, a vitality interesting subject.
Just what is patriotism7 Should 1 feel
it toward this country and just how
far should 1 let this feeling carry me
in times Of strife as now7 are ques-
tions of vital Importance to thousands
of the inhabitants of the United States
today, natural born as well as foreign
born. Have you ever stopped to think
what true patriotism really means?
Have you ever considered and weighed
carefully and rightfully your nswer
to these questions9 1t is your duty as
an American citizen or as an inhabitant
of the United States to think and to
think deepy upon these questions.
Patriotism to some is merely a pas
sion, unexplained and uncomfortable,
as love or hate; to others it is a pass
ing emotion, as joy or sorrow; while
to still others it is merely an atmosphere
which they sometimes breath and by
which they sometimes become filled as
by a poisonous gas. Patriotism, when
l was a child was to me a vague un-ex-
~plainable feeling that came with the
Fourth of July, Lincoln and Washing
toms birthdays, platform programs and
community pienics; and the flag was a
mysterious combination of colors that
for some unknown reason, I knew not
why, prompted the patriotic feeling. But
as l grew older and was given the Am
erican History to study, and as | listen
ed to the tales of sacrifices and suffer
ings told by Civil wal veterans, l be-
gan to realize that patriotism meant
other and more important things than
Fourth of July picnics and Lincoln
Washington programs.
Patriotism now meant loyalty to n s
country; devotion to her welfare, and
love for her people. 1t was a deep pas
sionate feeling that had sent men forth
from home and loved ones to face even
death. 1t was a strange power that had
inspired men to engage in bloody con-
flietion-brother against brother and
father VS.. son. 1t had inspired nations
of people to great and heroic deeds of
strength and endurance never before
dreamed of. It had made strong men of
the weak, brave men of towards. Yes,
it meant all this and yet what was It'll
More and more vague grew its real
meaning until with the ADVENT Of the
States in the worlds war now
raging in Europe there came to me the
true meaning of patriotism. Patriotism
now means watching the loved ones
march away to face death, alone, eav
ing behind the weak and helpless to face
knows what.-It means staying
home in peace and comfort with the
that far away loved ones,
perhaps weak with hunger or weary
DAYS and days of eeaseess march
and scrambling over rough and un
familiar ground and strewn battle
fields are fighting, striving, preparing
to meet the last charge with a brave
and smiling face. Patriotism means pre-
to go on through life without
their loving guidance and protection or
years and years of weary struggling to
build again homes of comfort and of
happiness. 1t means a continual drain
from the Individual store of strength
and endurance. For whatl Not love,
and devotion toward an mani
mate country, but love, loyalty and de-
votion to the home and loved ones; a
of wishing to protect them thru
one with another, blended with
the wish to carry out the high ideals
IF equality and Justice towards all hui
nanity imbibed through Christ S teach
ngs.
Therefore every man, woman or child
10 matter the race, color or nationality,
have this feeling towards the I'M
on under which he makes his home;
. loyalty to her government, a devo-
ion to her welfare, a love for her peO-
lie and a pride in her that viii inspire
i'm to want to make her the leading
in all that is just and right or
le has not a true and happy home. II