The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-07-26
From tho Flint Citizen
SMind yOur own Business.''

of the lie quor law; and which we have re.
duced to the form e n positive proposition,
rs best suited TO the discussions which en-,
sues.
We do this for the reason, that We stacG
here for the discussion Of principles and
measures, with view of impressing our
own conclusion and those who act with Us
upon the community around. Our object
Il not so much to anathcmatiz, persons for
what they say contrary TO our notion of
things, as to condemn the principle upon
which they act and rcpel the imputations
they rake against he course We pursue.
We wage no warfare. We have no private
animositics to crafty in this connection
with this cause, md hence we can easily
submit to whatever diatrbrs, they may
choose to iunict on our humble self for the
part we net in this direction. We know
that snch tritlcs, cannot harm us Cow.
ardlv inucndocs, scnsclcss jokes and base.
less fabricatons, do not disturb our equa-
ninitv; while, thcg make about rs much
impression on our scnsibililics. as the idle
wind that passes by. IF IN open dcclara-
ration of principles, and fair and manly
advocacy o' them, will not provoke a cor.
responding spirit, on the part Of opponents,
why al that We have cot to say is-blow
away gentlemen with anything else, that
is moro con1enial to YOU natures. II il is
( not convenient 10 use manly weapons and
| more sensible arguments, gather up your
| small talk. and collect the stale scrapings
! pared off from your thin Jokes, and scaa
them along to their unrocompcnsed scr'icc
md thanklcss destiny to which their own
! foolishncss condemns them.
For ourselves we shall pursue the even
tenor OF orr wav avoiding rs We have ev
or done, all uuiu,tifablo prrsonaltica and
often i've allusions against those who differ
from us, upon the moral and social disputes
Of the day. Bu: ~ the Same time, we shall
be no less decided in our opinion. positive
in what We believe 10 he right, and plain
in our declarations of tho same. We shall
claim the award Of good motives, and aim
to fulfil all honorable obligations. while in
the spirit Of that fatcrnal charity which
belongs 10 one common brotherhood We
she'll continue to cont md Cor the recogni.
tion Of that "highcr law" Of right and
primitive justice which God has spread for
all his creatures 10 obey.
But to the question, "Minl your own
b ,sincss." What is il, Mr.. Every msn
look out for himself. md The devil take
the hindmost7' Is it 10 have no regard
for anything, bnt ones supreme snlfi Is
it to confre our svmpathies TO narrow
circle, and novor give thought for anoth.
cr's wool Is it 10 discard all social obli-
goions, and disown the common rcsponei.
blitics which tho sacia compact nccessa.
rally forces upon us? Is il to prove rec.
roant To tho performance Of those common
duries for tho maintainance Of order and
tho duo enforcement oC good laws which
civil government imposes unon all citizensl
Is it to say thOt when one recognizes thcso
claims. and proceeds in good faith 70 en-.
forco the same, he is not minding his own
businosSi Be this as It may, we arc free
to make proclamation of onr or cd on this
subject. We feel no he.i'ancv, in saving
that We feel assured, we havo some busi.
ness n men as cn'2GR9, beyond tho little
contracted circle of ones own self We
have some interests. rights, and duties, in
common with our fellows, which impoSes
mutual care and consideration. and which
ju~tiiirs that Intervention on the part Of
each citizen, which always prcCcics tho on
torccmcnt OF any law. whose conditions,
havo hcaA broken. Hence it is tho busi
moss Of every cil,lci,, to notice the cbuli
tionS Of ruhlic disorder whenever it occurs
and SEQ 20 the enforcement Of goal laws.
He is not melting with ihat which does
not belong to him in thus noticing theS"
things. II is perfectly legitimate and
proper, and no man has a juStifahlo right
to a,saiI him, for carrying out an homo I
purpose, in this direction.
his we claim as general principle
But as to the practical question, as to just
how far, one should leave those private in
tcrosts. and individual personal responsible.
iics, which belong t. every man, distinct
from his social responsibilities, aud general
relations to community, to spend his timo
for public interests. leave for every man
to answer for himself We do not lonbt !
that every man has duties, which he owes (
to himself, or to his family, rs well rs To
society; aud, that ho should not neglect |
the one for the benefit Of the other, bat !
should govern his conduct with GGo cou- |
sidemtion, 10 tho rights Of each. lie may !
have personal and private obligations that
demand his time, and which he cannot ,
lcavc uudischargyd, 10 enter into the fell .
Of public scryic, without injustice and |
wong, to those more Immediately concern /
eA. Where this state Of facts exist, it is
possible there may le some prop'iciy in ,
pronouucing tho criticism, which our cap
lion implies. But as TO ibc simple ques-
ton, involved in the lujfGsta,ion Ola per-
sonal interests in the social and moral well
fare Of others than ourselves; as to the
public exposure Of individual and social
wrongs, and the due Enforcement Of those
laws which arc appointed to rcdr.s' those
wrongs, as a general question, there can 10
no disputc. The case is clear, aud the du-
ty is plain The Justification, caunot be
otherwise than complete. Wlocver docs
it in tho right spirit dies rves well Of his
aaI should have tho conf I'nca Of
all orrr loving men. We shall not bo in.
duccd TO dctract from any well disposed
efforts in this direction. Neither shall We