PATRIOTISM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 4 April 1899, Page 2

PATRIOTISM.

(To the Editor.)

* sir,-It may be profitable to Inquire how' comes, it that genuine patriotism; Or public spirit is found to be a virtue which is so rare among young men in general lathe district, of, Auckland? I*he hindrances which usuallji* act_-S preventatives to'the cultivation of any- public spirit or patriotism may be various, but*th© following may be classed as among.the chief, viz.: (1) Selfishness; (2) Indifference; (3) love of personal ease or laziness; (4) the mind getting absorbed by mere animal sport; (5) neglect of all mental exercise or study. Of course there may be other slighter causes, such as climatic Influence, unfavourable circumstances, peculiar difficulties, but these may probably be met and overcome in time by ordinary persistence and patience. The first named hindrances, however, call for the exercise of resolute will and determination if they are to be conquered, and self-conquest is ever one of the greatest victories obtainable. Hence when an" ill* dividual has a desire to serve in some degree, and within .his own sphere, his country, he must exchange his present selfishnees for the unselfish and sympathetic, his indifference for active and practical thought, his love of ease, fpr some measure of self denial, his present excessive and rather stupid love "of mere animal sport must be curtailed to its exact beneficial limit, and lastly bis foolish neglect of due mental exercise reversed. If these changes come to pass in'ahj*' young man* he will then for the first time come to realise the value of life, and also of time. He may then also for the, first time ask himself, and to profit, why was I born? and perhaps also What is the chief end of man? He will, too, be likely to remember the fact stated by the poet; 'The mind's the standard of the man,' and not flesh alone. This is the new class of young men that is the grand want of Auckland to-day, and may it be hoped that we may early see such. The commencement of the autumn season with Its increase of evening hours forms a most favourable opportunity. Let young men only resolve to. exchange their may-be present night street idleness or vagrancy for that of some hientai '__ii_ i_np*_vehient in the form of joining -.ome public libraries, or mutual classes, etc., and then we shall in the proper time easily djseern proofs of public spirit, and; a budding patriotism showing itself, and which will so largely tend towards- the best welfare of this new and promising country.—l am, etc., N.Z