American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-07-22
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Duties Of Citizens.

Duties OF Citizens.
Some OF the duties Of individuals, have
been briefly alluded to. in our former pa.
pers. II viii bo orr purpose now. 10 spse-
ify more in detail, the obligations devolv.
ing upon msmberS Of societiss. and also as
individuals. For beyond the iulfllmeut Of
those engagements. which society has
a right 70 exact fiom each Of lis members,
there are iudividut duties, which each
person owes to each other. which the we'll
Being, and harmonious existence OF every
community, has zht 10 demand.
Man. is imp riously bound. 10 fulfill all
the obligations which he axes upon him.
self. in the contract. which he makes with
society, 10 becoming member: embfae.
ing all the laws Of reciprocity. which i'm
plies, that he shopld obs,rye tie samo
course OF conduct. towards all others. that
it wonll be agreeable, they should oh,
servo towards him. And this reciprocal
code requires, that we sholld not only de-
sist from the perforan; 20 OF acts. which
would threaten the destruction OF civil gov
ernment; but tboss, which would in any
way interfere with its happiness, Man.
cannot assume the privilege, OF doiug any
act. however trivial in itself. which would
in the smallest way detr ct from the hap,
piness Of bis Tsighbor. Because. in the
first place, such assumption would he an
Infringement Of the reciprocal laws; and ia
the second place. the recognition Of such
privilege, would authorize any amount oI
such Interference; and the privilege would
be equally op.n 10 all and thus, would
there be an end Of civil soci.ty. On the
other hand, every memb,r of society, il
bound TO respect the rights of all others
aud 10 exert himself, both in his indviJus
end social relation, TO administer to The
wants, and comforts Of all others, so f,r
las be can do SO, without re5lscling hi
own private Interests; or thoss of his fam
ily.
Any amount olgoo ineSs, or greatness
for which any nation, or community may
be distinguished, is, after all, the aggre
gale Of ofindividual effort, for no society. car
ever attain to distinction in any thing
without the united effort Of all its member
Aid no one who goes behind, or neglect
to perform any part OF his whole duties, i
entitled to the reputation Of good citizen
And no person can fnd an excu q for hi
neglect, by pursua1ing himself that hi
neighbors, will accomplish this, or tha
good act, without him. Every one mus
work for himself as il the whole response
bility, rested up him alone.
Other duties binding upon man, as
member Of the great family of mankind
demand his attention, through the journe,
Of life. Such, are visiting the sick, o
those in distress, from any cause Whatever
snd as far as lies in his power. contricut
4 ing to their relief both from his treasury
or by his personal attention. where ther
is destiiuton. or where his assistance
needed. A Il this, it is his duty to dc
without stopping to inquire into the cause
of the distress. All, are alike liable to ca
lamity, and sutferin. and it was contem
plated in the wisdom, OF the author OF a
things, that man, should he mutu.l help
to cash other. Its our further duty, I
bear with Iach others weakness and foile
and to reprove and council each other in
spirit Of genuine friendship, and with n
other view, hut the mutnal good We shout
: speak the truth at all times, TO the face {
ey ry one, snd 'he whole truth, and news
utter one word behind auy ones back, th'
we coall not freely speak in his presenc
Make no contracts but what we faithful
). (ulill. Ren1 der TO every one fully, what
$ his duo; whether in teap,rAl mitters, o
1 in those deeds OF Kindness, marcy and
i Universal eenevolencs, which is due to a
......t ,... HOMO.