I CHAPTER

Our Country

1. Why We Love Our Country. Every good American citizen loves his country and is proud of it. We have very good reasons both for the love and for the pride. Ours is one of the greatest nations of the world, in area of territory, in number of people, in wealth and in power. We also think that the citizens of the great republic are among the most intelligent in the world. Free public schools make it possible for every one to get some sort of an education, and books and newspapers are found in every home. But better still is the liberty which we enjoy. We have no king or emperor to rule over us. We choose our own officers ostate, who, indeed, are not our rulers, but are merely public servants. In some countries the police are constantly interfering with people. A public meeting cannot be held without the consent of the police. The police watch the hotel registers and keep careful track of all strangers. If a club or a debating society is formed, the police have to be notified .Then, too, every young man has to spend several years as a soldier—for most of the nations of Europe keep vast armies always ready for war. Now, with us the policeman and the soldier are much less prominent. As long as one is not a thief or some other sort of criminal, the police let one quite alone. And no one in our country needs to be a soldier at all. Our few soldiers are all volunteers. In short, we live in a free land, in which every one may live his life in his own way, so long as he does not interfere with the rights of his neighbors.

2. These are some reasons for loving our country. There are many other reasons too, but perhaps these are enough to show what we mean. Still, it may be as well to add one more—it is our home. There are few words dearer to any genuine man or woman than home . But just as the home is the center of the life of the family, so our country is the center of the nation's life. It is our home land—the land of our fathers and mothers, of our brothers and sisters. And he is a poor ingrate who does not dearly love his home.

3. What We Mean by a Patriot. A patriot is one who loves his fatherland—his country. People show patriotism in various ways. In time of war, when the national safety is menaced by a public enemy, men are ready to enter the army and to give their lives, if need be, in defense of their country. A true patriot, too, is pleased by everything which reflects credit on his homeland. He is anxious that its public affairs shall be stained with no meanness or dishonor. He is anxious that its government shall always be just and generous in dealing with the governments of other nations. He does not wish an advantage secured from any other nation, especially from a weaker one, by wanton violence or by fraud. He is delighted with every advance of his country in the arts of civilization, and pained at the triumph of evil men or of vicious measures. And he is always ready to do what he can to make his country better or stronger or safer.

4. What a Patriot is Not. We have seen some of the reasons which an American has for being proud of his country. But in order to be a patriot it is not at all necessary to be a boaster. Indeed, a true patriot is so sure of the solid merit of his country that he does not need to say much about it. If a man is in the habit of talking about his own honesty, it leads others to suspect that perhaps after all he is trying to cover up a streak of dishonesty. At any rate, bragging is a weak and foolish habit. And bragging of one's country is quite as foolish as it is for a boy to boast of his father's wealth or of his sister's beauty.

5. Neither is it a sign of patriotism to despise other countries. We may love our own the best, but one who does not know that other countries also are great and powerful and famous, is merely very ignorant. If we respect other nations for their good qualities, we are all the better fitted to understand and admire thelike qualities in our own.

6. Sneering at other races is no sign of patriotism. Boys and girls sometimes are apt to think themselves better than one of their mates who was born in a foreign land, and to show their superiority by using for him some sort of foolish nickname. But this is very silly. Is he a German? The Germans have some of the greatest names and have done some of the greatest deeds in all history. Is he an Italian? Italy is a beautiful land, famous for some of the finest painters and musicians,and for some of the wisest statesmen and the bravest soldiers of any land. Is he a Jew? They are a wonderful people, and a list of the great men who are Jews would be a very long one. Indeed, one may well be glad and proud to belong to any of these races, or of many others which might be mentioned.

The True Patriotism
An English poet's idea of what patriotism means

WILLIAM WATSON

THE ever lustrous name of patriot

To no man may be denied because he saw

Where in his country's wholeness lay the flaw

Where, on her whiteness, the unseemly blot.

England! thy loyal sons condemn thee. What !

Shall we be meek who from thine own breasts drew

Our fierceness? Not ev'n thou shalt overaw

Us thy proud children nowise basely got.

Be this the measure of our loyalty—

To feel thee noble, and weep thy lapse the more.

This truth by thy true servants is confess'd—

Thy sins, who love thee most, do most deplore.

Know thou thy faithful! Best they honor thee

Who honor in thee only what is best.

7.What a Patriot Should Know. It is not enough for a patriot to think that his country is a very good and comfortable land. No opinion is worth much unless it comes from actual knowledge. It is a very commonly observed fact that the more ignorant people are, the more they are stuffed with prejudices. But prejudice is merely a strong opinion which is formed with a very scanty basis of knowledge. Now, in fact, no opinion is worth much, as we said, unless it belongs to one who knows what he is talking about. A jeweler who has spent all his life in a city, probably would not know much about farming. If, then, he should go into the country and begin giving a farmer advice about the management of his crops, the farmer would laugh at him. The jeweler's opinion about repairing a watch would doubtless be better than the farmer's, but, on the other hand, the farmer would be apt to know more about planting corn. In other words, it is knowledge that gives an opinion its value.

8. Then, our opinions about our country are not worth very much unless we know something of its history. We ought to know how it is governed, how the laws are made, how they are enforced, what the courts are and how they do their work, what are the rights of a citizen and what are not his rights. We ought to know how our country came to be what it is, who are some of the great men it has produced, and what they have done. With some of this knowledge our opinions are much less likely to be mere prejudices.

9. There is another important reason for knowing something about the way in which our country is governed. With us about every man of full age, that is, twenty-one years old or over, is a voter. The most of all public officers are elected. And a voteis not very useful whose ideas of what he is voting for are in a fog. He is easily led by shrewd and unscrupulous demagogues; he is simply a tool, a slave. It is often said that knowledge is power. We might add that knowledge of public affairs is liberty

10. The Flag. Every nation has a flag of its own, with an appropriat ecombination of colors and symbols. This flag flies from the mast of ship on the ocean, thus indicating at once to what country she belongs. The flag is raised on a staff in forts and military, camps, is carried by soldiers on the march and in battle, and is used very commonly by people in token of their patriotism. On the Fourth of July we see the American flag everywhere, and it is the custom now in many parts of the country to keep it floating over the school-houses whenever schoo lis in session. The American flag has thirteen horizontal stripes, seve nred and six white. In the upper corner, next the staff, is a blue squar efilled with white stars. The thirteen stripes indicate the thirteen originalstates, and the stars show the number of states. When a new state is admitted, on the next Fourth of July a new star is added to the flag

11. There are now forty-five states in the Union. But no flag ma dbefore July 4, 1896, should have more than forty-four stars. Utah became a state January 4, 1896. Every flag hoisted over a national fort o rship or building, on the third of July, 1896, had forty-four stars, showing the number of states on the Fourth of July, 1895, but on the morning of the Fourth of July, 1896, every such flag should have had forty-five star

12. How a Famous Song Was Written. During the second war with England, in 1814, a British expedition attempted to capture the city of Baltimore. In order to do that it was necessary first to reduce FortMcIIenry, and so the warships moved up near it and opened a heavy fire of cannon-balls, bomb-shells, aud rockets. During the battle a small party of Americans, carrying a flag of truce, went out to the British fleet in order to secure the release of an American citizen who had been taken prisoner. One of the party with the flag of truce was Francis Scott Key. The business being finished, the Americans were detained overnight in the fleet, far to the rear of the attack, in order that they might not be able to give information of what they had seen. The bombardment went on long after dark, and Mr. Key eagerly listened to the sound of the guns and watched the red rockets and the bursting bombs, being sure as long as the firing continued that the fort still held out. But late in the night the guns became silent. Did it mean that the attack had been repulsed? Or had the fort surrendered? Only the daylight would tell. Before dawn the anxious Americans were watching. The first faint light of day showed them the stars and stripes still floating over the ramparts of the fort. Then they knew that the attack had failed and that the Americans were victorious. Mr. Key walked the deck in deep emotions of joy, and gave vent to his feelings in the verses of a patriotic song. These he scribbled on a scrap of paper which he found in his pocket. On reaching land he gave his song to a friend, and it was sung at a theater in Baltimore, the singer waving a flag as shesang. The audience were wild with enthusiasm. In a very short time the new song went all over the republic, and is now known and loved by all Americans. It is called "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Star-Spangled Banner

O SAY, can you see, by the dawn's early, light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming—

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the clouds of the figh

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming !

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still ther

O! say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam

In full glory reflected now shines on the stream

'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

And Where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved homes and war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto—" In God is our trust ":

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

13. The Storm at Samoa. In the spring of 1889 there was trouble at the island of Samoa, in the South Pacific, and warships were sent thereby Germany, Great Britain, and the United States. These vessels lay at anchor in the harbor of Apia. The harbor is a small semi-circular bay, with shoal water extending far from the shore and a coral reef running nearly across the entrance. A narrow break in the reef allows ships to enter the bay. One day in March a heavy storm came up. So fierce wasthe wind and so tremendous the waves that the vessels dragged their anchors, and one after another four warships and ten other craft were driven on shore and wrecked. Nearly a hundred fifty of the seamen losttheir lives. In the fury of the hurricane the captain of the British ship Calliope decided to leave the harbor and force his way out to sea, as the only means of safety from shipwreck. All steam was put on, and inch by inch the gallant ship fought its way in the teeth of the howling wind and the crashing waves. "This manoeuver of the British ship is regarded as one of the most daring in naval annals. It was the one desperate chance offered her commander to save his vessel and the three hundredlives aboard. An accident to the machinery at this critical moment would have meant certain death to all. To clear the harbor the Calliope had to pass between the Trenton (the American flagship) and the reef,and it required the most skilful seamanship to avoid collision with the Trenton, on the one hand, or total destruction upon the reef, on the other. The Trenton's fires had gone out by that time, and she lay helples salmost in the path of the Calliope. The doom of the American flagshipseemed but a question of a few hours. Nearly every man aboard felt that his vessel must soon be dashed to pieces, and that he would fin da grave under the coral reef. The decks of the flagship were swarmingwith men, but, facing death as they were, they recognized the heroic struggle of the British ship, and as the latter passed within a few yards of them a great shout went up from over four hundred men aboard the Trenton. 'Three cheers for the Calliope!' was the sound that reached the ears of the British tars as they passed out of the harbor in the teeth of the storm; and the heart of every Englishman went out to the brave American sailors who gave that parting tribute to the Queen's ship. The English sailors returned the Trenton's cheer, and the Calliope passed safely out to sea, returning when the storm had abated. Captain Kane, her commander, in speaking of the incident, afterward said: 'Those ringing cheers of the American flagship pierced deep into my heart, and Ishall ever remember that mighty outburst of fellow-feeling which, I felt, came from the bottom of the hearts of the gallant admiral and his men. Every man on board the Calliope felt as I did; it made us work to win. I can only say, 'God bless America and her noble sailors!'" They were thrilled with admiration for the dauntless courage of the brave British seamen on the Calliope; and in their own extremity they showed equal courage. Twice England has been our enemy in war. But, after all, in peace we cannot forget that Englishmen and Americans are of one blood. Late in the day, when ship after ship had been dashed to destruction, and the Trenton, shattered and helpless, seemed drifting to certain wreck, the anxious people on the beach heard music amid the roar of the hurricane. It was the band of the Trenton playing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The gallant sailors were facing death with the national music in their ears and its ringing words in their thoughts. It carried their minds back to the homeland which they loved and for which they were ready to die.

14. Another Poem About the Flag. Joseph Rodman Drake was a young American poet of great promise. His early death (he died in 1820, at the age of twenty-five) came before he had fully shown his rare powers .When he was only seven years old he had much literary knowledge, and at fourteen he had already written poetry of good quality. His principal poems were "The Culprit Fay" and the stirring stanzas on "The American Flag."

The American Flag

JOSEP RODMAN DRAKE

WHEN Freedom from her mountain height

Unfurled her standard to the air,

She tore the azure robe of night,

And set the stars of glory there.

She mingled with its gorgeous dyes

The milky baldric of the skies,

And striped its pure celestial white

With streakings of the morning light ;

Then from his mansion in the sun

She called her eagle bearer down,

And gave into his mighty hand

The symbol of her chosen land.

Majestic monarch of the cloud,

Who rear'st aloft thy regal form,

To hear the tempest trumpings loud

And see the lightning lances driven,

When strive the warriors of the storm,

And rolls the thunder-drum of Heaven,—

Child of the Sun! to thee 'tis given

To guard the banner of the free,

To hover in the sulphur smoke,

To ward away the battle-stroke,

And bid its blendings shine afar,

Like rainbows on the cloud of war,

The harbingers of victory!

Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly,

The sign of hope and triumph high,

When speaks the signal trumpet tone,

And the long line comes gleaming on.

Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet,

Has dimmed the glistening bayonet,—

Each soldier eye shall brightly turn

To where thy sky-born glories burn;

And, as his springing steps advance,

Catch war and vengeance from the glance.

And, when the cannon-mouthings loud

Heave in wild wreaths the battle shroud,

And gory sabres rise and fall

Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall

Then shall thy meteor glances glow,

And cowering foes shall shrink beneath

Each gallant arm that strikes below

That lovely messenger of death.

Flag of the seas! on ocean wave

Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave;

When Death, careering on the gale,

Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail,

And frighted waves rush wildly back

Before the broadside's reeling rack,

Each dying wanderer of the sea

Shall look at once to Heaven and thee,

And smile to see thy splendors fl

In triumph, o'er his closing eye.

Flag of the free heart's hope and home!

By angel hands to Valor given!

Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,

And all thy hues were born in Heaven.

Forever float that standard sheet

Where breathes the foe but falls before us,

With Freedom's soil beneath our feet,

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us.

15. Judge Hopkinson's Patriotic Song. Joseph Hopkinson (born 1770, died 1842) was a native of Philadelphia. His father was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Joseph was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, became a lawyer, was a representative in congress, and a judge of the federal courts. He wrote "Hail, Columbia!" in 1798, when there was danger of a war with France. The popular excitement at that time was very great. The young navy was sent to sea to guard our merchant ships, and preparations were made for the organization of an army. Washington was called from his retirement at Mt. Vernon and given command of this army. John Adams was president. The music, then called the "President's March," was played in the theaters and by bands on the streets as a popular patriotic tune. Young Mr. Hopkinson was asked to write a song for the music, which might be sung at the benefit of a well-known actor .The song was "Hail, Columbia!" and was received by the audience with the wildest enthusiasm. In a very few days it was sung from Maine to Georgia.

Hail, Columbia!

JOSEPH HOPKINSON

HAIL, Columbia! happy land!

Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band!

Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,

Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,

And When the storm of war was gone

Enjoyed the peace your valor won.

Let independence be our boast,

Ever mindful what it cost;

Ever grateful for the prize,

Let its altar reach the skies.

Firm, united, let us be,

Rallying round our Liberty;

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find

Immortal patriots! rise once more:

Defend your rights, defend your shore:

Let no rude foe with impious hand,

Let no rude foe with impious hand,

Invade the shrine where sacred lies

Of toil and blood the well-earned prize.

While offering peace sincere and just

In Heaven we place a manly trust,

That truth and justice will prevail,

And every scheme of bondage fail.

Firm, united, etc.

Sound, sound, the trump of Fame!

Let WASHINGTON'S great name

Ring through the world with loud applause,

Ring through the world with loud applause;

Let every clime to Freedom dear,

Listen with a joyful ear.

With equal skill and godlike power,

He governed in the fearful hour

Of horrid war; or guides, with ease,

The happier times of honest peace.

Firm, united, etc.

Behold the chief who now commands,

Once more to serve his country, stands—

The rock on which the storm will beat;

The rock on which the storm will beat,

But, armed in virtue firm and true

His hopes are fixed on Heaven and you

When hope was sinking in dismay,

And glooms obscured Columbia's day,

His steady mind from changes free,

Resolved on death or liberty.

Firm, united, let us be,

Rallying round our Liberty;

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find yf4aHxsYtCLwQ6lNI596Suw2jAjOIyC7Cv0o1Z8lldk1tE3OcumflejYEx05fZGv