Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-03-27
For the Tribune & Telegraph
FVI ZIG IT TUUIIC q IVIt
Duty and Privilege.

Inc rSnI Oh NOlng OBTAINS more attention among
us than the obligation which it imposes. We are
jealous of privileges especially when they
questionedl but often thoughtless and unfaithfu in
discharging the duties which arise out of them
Hence the remedies proposed for evils, which almost
all admit and complain of, are mostly of negative
character We would cut off the the political priv
ileges of those who we think are not entitled to
them-we would neutralize power, rather than seek
to purify it by virtue and intelligence and by such
measures, cave the Stae-although it is very doubt
full whether yet any nation individual ever achiey
ed salvation by mere negatives. For they leave the
evil, whatever it may be- undiminished, and only
take away some of the modes of it's manifestatic@
still leaving it TO seek others in which to expend its
energy.
Few, PROBABLY will deny this in theory,
and yet it must be acknowledged that in practice
far more attention is given to the mere excelsior of
the excrescences of the body polite, than the devel
opement of its hone and muscle and the infusion of
life, by which in virtue of its vitality all foreign
matter would be absorbed and assinlilated into its
own nature Overlooking or dsbeeving this, the
Know Nothings anxious to cut off the foreign
vote. How much more christi0n-like would be an
effort to raise their morals and intelligence to their
position and then endeavor to make the the political
zeal of the foreigner contagious and inspire patr-
otism amongst our respectable citizens which
would impel them to leave their own personal pur
suits for at least one two days year. and give
themselves up heart and hand to the service of their
country.
There are many men among us who would feel en-
ragged and insulted, if their rights citizens were
questioned yet practically ignore all the obligations
which arise from the relation-men who would exact
the full amount of their privileges from Society and
yet very faithless least careless in dischar-
ging the duties they owe TO it-men who will allow
any whim or indisposition, any Inconvenience or
personal engagement, to keep them away from the
polls and the proper business Of election if il
may be that their vote and their influence are as
much needed by their country, as were the swords
of their revolutionary sires Thus it is often that
men not only disregard the voice of duty when il
calls them to their counrys help but also thro dis
arrangement privileges to which from pride or 9th
cause they jealous III maintaining their right
closely resembling those who ready to fight for
their privileges but habitualy disregard it in their
lives.
Disappearing, as we must of;en do, of the objects
sought by large par; of the foreign population, il
yet more exillerating 10 TO witness their polt
cal zeal than the supineuess Of those whose foreta
theirs fought for rights winch il hey still tenacious
~ hold,a least in practice they cry much disregard
This zeal may be excited often for the accomplish
ment OF low objects such the perpetuation of the
Liquor trafc, or the election of favorite
demagogue, yet their regular attendance the polls
suggests the idea that they may value highly the
ercse of right of which they had been depriv ed all
the previous part of their lives And one could wish
that those supine Americans who have been Graded
amidst the blessings of Freedom, and enjoyed them
uninterruptedly, might be transported to some for
egn land where they would every day feel the evils
of tyranny-sec its frown darkening their path-and
where their fortunes their industry and even their
lives, would be at the disposal of those over whom
they had neither influence control There they
would learn that II eternal vigilance the price OF
Freedom, yet Freedom is well worth that price
After such an experience they would properly es-
timae the services rendered by the patriots of the
revolution and doubt earnestly carry on the good
work which they begau-would Zealousy endea vor
10 build up and perfect good institutions the Clio
rious foundations which they have laid And if we
inherit the blessings ought we not to continue the
work or may we like Shameless prodigas waste the
Accommodations of others toll without producing any
thing of value ourselves Shall we inherit free
secure and prosperous country, and beQueah one il,
which institutions perverted TO crush the help
less revenue made the means of corruption, and
demagogues rule.
If this state of things s achieved land it need. no
partizan acumen discover that the tendency at
present is in that direction, are to blame; is
il manly to excuse ourselves by the apahet,c des-
pair which alleges thar inevitable, until far great
er effort is made. We ought at least to hight faith
fully and persstenty the battles of our times as long
as hope inspires chance Of success remains; and
II sense of duty mpelled the revolutionary soldiers
into long protracted war and sustained them a.
midst Its varying fortunes shall it not have power to
urge ssinto and sustain in every struggle-where
the welfare OF our country is at sake-where impor-
tant interests are decided, and where glorious prin-
cples defeated uphed-for unless we are faith
fui TO the right, even amidst disaster and defeat we
are unworthy and unfit to achieve anything for
Freedom N.