-snip- "And this seems to be the sole idea of patriotism," he went on. "Not long ago I saw fifteen or more boys drilling. They assumed a military air, and went through the evolutions of trained soldiers. This was to teach them patriotism, but what incentive with our ideas of patriotism is there for the young man of to-day to shoulder his gun and fight for his country! I can imagine one situation -- even under the present state of affairs -- where a man could feel that he ought to fight for his country. That situation might be an invasion. In such a case a man should fight, but he should fight under protest, and for this reason: When a country is invaded it is because it has done some wrong to another country -- some wrong like the United States did in taking the Philippines -- a stain upon our flag that can never be effaced. Yet to-day in the public schools we teach our children to salute the flag, and this is our idea of instilling in them patriotism.
And this so-called patriotism we mistake for citizenship; but if there is a stain on that flag it ought not to be honored, even if it is our flag. The true citizenship is to protect the flag from dishonor -- to make it the emblem of a nation that is known to all nations as true and honest and honorable. And we should forever forget that old phrase -- 'My country, right or wrong, my country!'"
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http://www.boondocksnet.com/ai/twain/mtws_theater.htmledit to add bold