CHAPTER XX. Be Patriotic

Be Patriotic

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER XX

BY JOHN CLARK RIDPATH

Patriotism is the first and best of the civic virtues. It involves more than any of the rest. It involves country, race, nation, kindred, institutions, associations, fellowships, the kindest of all that man creates and the best of all he hopes in this life.

Patriotism is broad, almost universal. It is not a mere local attachment that knows some particular place or section, some country or State, some North or South, some peculiar ancestral stock, but rather our whole country, our native land to its remotest border, our nation, great as native land, our Union over all and our flag as our emblem.

Patriotism claims no mountain slope, no river bank, no range of hills, no village or town or city, but rather lifts the eye to a great continent, reclaimed from barbarism and illumined with the light of a Christian civilization. He who cherishes such a patriotism in his heart and feels its inspiration in the battle of life will have little cause to fear the onset or doubt the certain victory.