Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1917 — PATRIOTISM [ARTICLE]

PATRIOTISM

Patriotism is a deep and soulfelt love for one’s native land, it is a feeling that makes the heart beat fast and the blood surge through our veins when we look upon our national emblem and there read liberty, justice and freedom. And when our country’s safety is imperiled, patriotism causes us to take our stand there beneath that banner, resolved rather to color it with our lifeblood than to behold it sullied or desecrated by a foreign hand. Yes, such is true patriotism; such is a commendable and a praise-worthy patriotism, a patriotism which every American should have at heart. Still, many people have rather absurd and extraordinary ideas concerning what it means to be patriotic. Many of these will go out on the streets and .tell you how zealous and anxious they are for the country’s welfare and how much they condemn the man who would refuse to answer his call to the colors an<J play the cow r ard. Yet, soon after, when they see that

a conscription bill may probably be passed, they rush to arms, not to the arms of their country, but to the arms of some lady friend find seek refuge from enlistment in the bonds -of matrimony. This ‘is your lou d-m out he d pa t r lot,. brave in words, but a coward when deeds, are demanded. Arid you will find that he who k'Pt quiet a while ago will go willingly and IraVely to his country's aid when he finds that she is r' s.lly in- need of his services. He, it is, who is truly patriotie, hu JI is who will in the long run, v, -rd off ifom our shores the threatening- inv. der. His irf' a true patriotism.—The Cheer (St. Joseph College). '' - ‘ . •