Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room

Man Without a Country

I was able to procure a beautiful 1886 edition of Man Without a Country recently. Because of it being Independence day, I thought there was no better day for the reading of such a bit of history so I packed it up and carried it to work.

I was deep into it when this passage leapt from the page and seared itself into my consciousness. I share it with you now.

"Youngster, let that show you what it is to be without a family, without a home, and without a country. And if you are ever tempted to say a word or to do a thing that shall put a bar between you and your family, your home, and your country, pray God in his mercy to take you that instant home to his own heaven. Stick by your family, boy; forget you have a self, while you do everything for them. Think ofyour home, boy; write and send, and talk about it. Let it be nearer and nearer to your thought, the farther you have to travel from it; and rush back to it, when you are free, as that poor black slave is doing now. And for your courntry, boy," and the words rattled in his throat, "and for that flag," and he pointed to the ship, "never dream a dream but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you through a thousand hells. No matter what happens to you, no matter who flatters you or who abuses you, never look at another flag, never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that flag. Remember, boy, that behind all these men you have to do with, behind officers and government, and people even, there is the Country Herself, your Country, and that you belong to Her as you belong to your own mother. Stand by Her, boy, as you would send by your mother, if those devils there had got hold of her to-day!"

Richard Nolan,
Man Without a Country
by Edward E. Hale