Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language gives the following definitions:
- Patriot…“A person who loves his country, and zealously supports and defends it and its interest.”
- Patriotism… “Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity.”
Noah Webster and his contemporaries knew something about patriotism. Webster was born in 1758. When he enrolled at Yale University at the age of sixteen the year was 1774. The thirteen colonies were embroiled in the struggles that would lead to the declaration of our independence and the birth of our beloved nation.
According to Webster a patriot loves his country and “zealously supports and defends it and its interest. Patriotism is the love of country accompanied by a passion to “serve one’s country.” In other words, patriotism is more than an affection or appreciation for our country, it also includes action or deeds of service.
In this critical day of our history we need true patriots, those who love our country and are willing to get involved in the process of preserving our national heritage and the principles that have made our nation strong. It is not enough to appreciate our freedom or salute our flag. We need a brand of patriotism that motivates us to become educated about the critical issues of the day, and stirs us to insist that our voices be heard.
The Franklin County Patriots exist to aid in the process of informing concerned patriots and provide practical ways to make a difference.
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.” Samuel Adams
A good article. This should be sent as a letter to the editor at “The Missourian.” You can send it by e-mail at their web.site. It is a good thing to share our thoughts with the broader public. We have discussions with one another, but in order to stir others to thinking and action; it is so very important to begin to inform and educate the public. The grassroots base must be enlarged to make our voices heard. Wanda