American patriotism

From Agnes Repplier's 1916 article on "Americanism":

Of all the countries in the world, we and we only have any need to create artificially the patriotism which is the birthright of other nations.

Exactly. Other nations are bound together by geography and ethnicity. We are the only nation in the world bound together by an idea: the idea of individual freedom and sovereignty. We are bound together not by race or ethnicity but by neighborliness, kinship and friendship. Our patriotism springs from our love of liberty and our concerns for our families, friends and neighbors.

This article is long but it's worth reading.

HT The Daily Dish.