The native American., 1837-09-02

that wise Legislator and fhiiosophei' So'o", " ''o
Ahenans, we find, that, citizen who remained heuifai
on public and political subjects, was considered an
enemy of the state, and why was 1t that this artl.
Gle was recommended and finally adopted by the
people! 1t was because the great law glver, and the
patriotic inhabitants of Athens were of opinion, that
citizen had right to withhold from his own coun-
try that assistance which all TO the land that gave
them birth, aud the Institutions that affords them pro
tection because they thought that in times of excite
ment and peril to remain an indifferent and istless
spectator injurious to the interests of the state
first by the subsaction OF individual strength and in
fuence from the contest, and secondly by the bad ex
ample which, the conduct of an apathetc citizen gave
TO Others because in the last place they believed, that
the only and leading reason why bad, and designing
men, could obtain the ascendency, and mslead the
crowd, was that those citizens who were real lovers
Of the state, withdrew gradually from public affairs.
in disgust fatigue, and by doing made way for
the factious and unprncped. These reasons and ar
guments which received as good and convincing
in the olden day, may be applied with equal felicity
and success in the modern For let review? Eve
ry one will agree with US that, all men by the accident
Of birth original allegiance 10 their native land
ltfollows them that there SUPERIOR binding, and
co-exstent power which may compel citizen, where he
has the MEANS aid that country when tneeds his
vices. He has right, when called upon, to refuse;
if true patriot he must sacrifice domestic tranquility
for the public veal, fol had not our illusous sires
been also of opinion that the good of country, was
superior to every personal consideration had they
through fear Of derangng their home comforts and
enjoyments, and bringing upon them and theirs the
vengeance OF powerful king, not entered upon the
struggle against oppression would this fair coun
try have been blessed as she is and has been, never
would we feel ourselves called upon to celebrate the
deeds and merits of those men, who thought with So
lon, that apathy and Indifference in time of public
ctement ever unworthy Of true patiios, and ought TO
be forbidden to those who hope aspire after good
government. 1t is equally true, that each member Of
community possessing some influence, great
fned as the case may be, and power in proportion, his
absence from public deibeTaton, action has its in
jurous effects either direct the contrary aud that the
advance Of his country's good is retarded in proper
ton to that aid which he did not afford, again, we are
all we'll of the effect of example, we all well
know that whenever pf any wei ght, in the com
munity either politically socially. wiihdraws him
from government. from public affairs, that in addi
tion to the injury done to his native by his
absence there are Others sometimes
many and sometimes few, who look upon
model and in accordance witt, the views and opinions
of their patron, believe that they have the right be
equally Indifferent and inert. All readers must al
discover what door for the abuses this
doctrine must open, and how hostile this accommo-
dating and emporizng policy must also be the true
spirit of onr glorious Republican Institutions Were
it followed out in lis premises and conclusions the
suit inevitably must be, that all in the land, have
an equal right to refuse their aid government that
each one would be justifable, because his domestic
enloymens ample he can desire, and the
effects Of certain political movements reach him not
In his retirement, in shrinking from active part in
public concerns, and consequently doing nothing for
that order Of things, to which he is indebted
for those domestic pleasures, and to which he owes
what is priceless still, Liberty, social and poti
cal. Let and all scout this unhealthy doc
trne, let US unite in the pledge, that will do al!
that within power for the interests and pros
perity Of our dear land, looking upon those who
stand lisess and Indifferent, when great moral evou-
tions are.at work, as political drones, who in
most cases, were it not for the bad example which
they give could not by their absence from the arena
make themselves noticed or regretted. If we reflect
in addition to the above considerations that good and
patriotic men by absenting themselves from active po-
lical existence, or at least from partial intercourse
with the same give SO many opportunities to those
who influenced by sinister motives to gather pow
er into their hands, feel ourselves still
more convinced Of the bad effects of the doctrine
For IT is fact, that whenever the upright do retire
from Offices Of trust and emoument either as legislators
or as executive agents. under the mistaken idea that
things are bad beyond cure, and that it would be
matter of indifference to the country whether they
retired not, Immediately those are sent to our epis-
a,ive halls placed in our executive stations who
have been so successful because they Aattered the
crowd, and the good, and the pathetic were moi pie
sent to oppose to crush them Let us all reflect nm
this grave consideration, for ii is well wor,bv or
thoughts, let all receive it as an orthodox and
healthy doctrine that citizen be he humble or great
be he rich or poor, na,urazed native has any rioh
when called upon either by the direct voice of his
country, or by the complexion or exigences Of the
tme has to refuse whatever he may possess Of strength
or influence; Of mental or bodily accomplishments and
avoid those occasions wherein his soul and virnes
may indeed be put 10 the test but the advantages Of
which, are often times, honor and success
Shame the grovellinp mind that does moi f,s,or