Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1858-06-17
ORIGINAL ARTICLES.
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Duty of the American Citizen.

the greatest civil privileges enjoyed by men
modern times. and it is our design to point on
an obvious duty, arising from the privilege thu
enjoyed, devolving upon every one who at a
esteems such a name. One of the character
istics of our government is, that our legislator
and oficeholders derive their power directly
from the people, and locker on from an indif
ferent standpoint would suppose that such office
holders might be taken as an index to the cha
racter of the people represented. Bat is sucl
really the fact! believe that none who give
the matter serious consideration believe that il
is, and, instead of the term representative, mis-
repr sentative would be more appropriate. The
structure is intended for no locality or individual
and is intended TO be applied in general sense
throughout the length and breadth of our land
in all its varieties of representation, from State
to General Government. That there are many
honorable exceptions we are happy to believe.
What mean so many official defalcations-so
many investigating committees-so much cor
ruption in our official functionaries! Does it
imply that the people whom they represent are
as corrupt and dishonest as themselves and
that there are none more worthy of their posi-
ton That human nature is utterly depraved,
is a doctrine which most convincingly forces
itself upon our mine, but that other more pre-
ciOus doctrine, that there is a divine power at
work elevating and enrolling that nature, is as
fully believed by us, and if the people are thus
misrepresented the fault must lie with them
selves. But how is this state of things brought
about land, more important question, how
is the evil to be corrected -! We must first
know where the evil lies before remedy can
be applied. Let US for a moment trace the
steps whereby the people choose their repre-
sentatives. Notice is given by "Many Citi-
zens very responsible gentlemen-that
meeting will be held at such place, at such a
time, for the purpose Of choosing delegates to a
county convention to nominate, &C., &C. The
time arrives, the "many citizens" collect ac-
cordng to notice, caucus is held, delegates
are appointed, convention dominates, the can
dldates Of both parties are in the field, the day
of election arrives and somebody is elected-it
matters very little who, because all parties pro-
coed on the same plan. But let US inquire who
these many citizens are, and who choose the
delegates, who form the convention, who are
chosen representatives,. In nine cases out of
ten, the "many citizens" are party leaders,
disappointed or ambitious aspirants to Office,
who have designs on the people those who
meet in caucus with them are the party JolIOw-
erS-ldlers, loaiers, nuisances of society and
these, fotsooth, 'choose delegates of the people.
Who ara such people likely TO send as dele
gates but kindred spirits land from such
sources how can we expect to be properly re-
presented But how shall the evil be reme-
died p! We do not find fault with the plan, nor
with the many citizens - but We find fault
with the people themselves. Just at this nitia-
tory step is where all the evil originates, and
just here We must apply the remedy, or as
nation we shall ultimately go TO destruction.-I
The industrious farmer feels that he has no in
terest in the caucus meeting,- has no am
bition to be gratiied--wants no Office The !
honest mechanic feels that he cannot spare the |
time--s Indifferent as to who may be nomina-
ted or chosen to Office. All intend 10 vote |
right at the election. But this is not all that |
see that the right kind of men are nominated as
it is to vote right. They cannot even vote
right unless this be the case. And is it not
the interest Of the industrious farmer---the hon.
est mechanicAeVery Amercan--to have the |
laws faithfully executed, to be safe in possess
sion of his own effects and person! And yet
all these interests are involved in the primary |
meetings in political movements. The duty,
then, that we would enforce upon all citizens,
everywhere, who feel any interest for The puri- |
ty of our national government-for the protec-
ton OF our public treasures-for the impartial
execution of our laws-for the safety of life
and property--for all that pertains to our happi-
ness and prosperity, social as well as political,
lis. to attend the primary political meeting |
aud empower, aye, crush out the influence of
such as usually control such meetings. Some
may ask, would we have all men become active
politicians! We answer yes, SO far as the
securing Of suitable officers is concerned for i'll
left to such influences as have heretofore been
brous TO bear, we shall proceed from bad to
worse, until anarchy will at last stare us in the
face. Ifever there was necessity for the exer-
else of this duty, it seems TO be now, at time
when everyone seems 10 be on the look ont as
to what shall turn up, waiting to see what is 10
be done. They should not sit with their hands
folded and wait for others to do, but prepare
themselves to act when the proper time comes.
There are many who coniend strongly that they
are party men from principle, and that they 90
fer principles rather than men,--and for such
we have the highest respect; but while they 90
for principles, they should be careful to select
men of integrity 10 carry out their principles,
---men who are themselves governed by honest
principle, rather than by mere party considcra-
lions however unpincipled. 4.
I