Is it an offence, is it a mistake, is it a crime to take a
hopeful view of the read more

Is it an offence, is it a mistake, is it a crime to take a
hopeful view of the prospects of your own country? Why should it
be? Why should patriotism and pessimism be identical? Hope is
the mainspring of patriotism.

And bold and hard adventures t' undertake,
Leaving his country for his country's sake.

And bold and hard adventures t' undertake,
Leaving his country for his country's sake.

Liberty, equality, fraternity.
[Fr., Liberte, egalite, fraternite.]

Liberty, equality, fraternity.
[Fr., Liberte, egalite, fraternite.]

And for our country 'tis a bliss to die.

And for our country 'tis a bliss to die.

I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an
American!

I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an
American!

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we read more

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.

Who would not be that youth? What pity is it
That we can die but once to save our read more

Who would not be that youth? What pity is it
That we can die but once to save our country!

Our federal Union: it must be preserved.

Our federal Union: it must be preserved.

'Twere sweet to sink in death for Truth and Freedom!
Yes, who would hesitate, for who could bear
read more

'Twere sweet to sink in death for Truth and Freedom!
Yes, who would hesitate, for who could bear
The living degradation we may know
If we do dread death for a sacred cause?