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Show PATRIOTISM. In one of his letters from Paris in 1787, to James Madison, Mr. Jefferson, discussed the proposed Constitution of the United States. He disapproved of several of its features. He did not want a strong (energetic) government; did not think an insurrection occasionally was a very bad thing; his idea being to let the people do about as they pleased, but insisted on a general system of education edu-cation as the surest safeguard of a State. We will all agree to that, except as to the character char-acter of education to be given. When the education educa-tion of a child is spoken of the minds of old people turn instinctively to tho spelling book, which was also a reader, illuminated by wood cuts of the blind man led by the short-legged and long-backed dog, the bad boys that the old farmer fired out of his apple tree, the picture of Washington and the much-slandered hatchet, and other exciting if grotesque exhibitions of the art of those days. Then came the geography, arithmetic, the skimmings skim-mings of history, English grammar, etc. They were sufficient to start a rather strenuous race on the way; the race that fought on both sides at Gettysburg, at Stone River, at Chicka mauga, at Chattanooga and the other immortal fields of the great Civil war. School books have improved since then; we hope that the souls of the present generation are of the same high standard. But as we look at the matter, the study most neglected in our schools is the study of patriotism. Jefferson's idea was that all questions could be safely left to the judgment of the people. Why? We are not aware that he ever gave his reason, but it was because he believed not so much in their judgment, not so much in their scolastic attainments, attain-ments, but in their patriotism. The love of a mother causes her to perpetually plan blessings and delights for her child. When that child is in trouble her love suggests how she can best serve it; when in danger her love causes her to forget that she is a timid woman and she unhesitatingly risks her life in its defense. That Is, her love is the quickening element in her soul and brings to her a wisdom, a thoughtfulness and a courage, which she would never have manifested I without that love. Perfect patriotism is such a love of country as the mother's heart gives to her child. It enables the illiterate man to judge a national question shrewdly. He is solicitious for the welfare of his native land and his anxiety lest a mistake may be made supplies the wisdom to judge correctly of the merits of a question. In the same way when the 'and is assailed, he rushes to its defense even as the mother does to the defense of her child. In the same way, as the mother resents the slighting of her child or the abuse, through words of venom f her child, so the real patriot will not permit the slandering of his country, |
