Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1860-07-19
The American Citizen.

Ab american G1tIAeus
I, may be of advantage, occasionally, TO re-
view the relations aud obligations of the citi-
gen, and draw thence lesson of Instruction.
Whether seen in domestic or political ca.
Mites its dreams of future glory, and its inaex-
ible, memorable essentislilies. The secular
employmegts By which he is surrounded. call.
Ing into vigorous exercises the energies OF IN.
relaxing toll; The affairs of public life, TO which
must be brought The more enobling efforts of
his manhood aud the ireside relations, around
which are constantly clustering The divine as {
pirstions that bring out the latent resources
of bis emotional nature; these are all the chan
nels through which the inheritance Of citizen
ship is 10 be transmitted. To be good citi-
zen. and 10 recognize the legitimate checks OF
the American system of citizenship. so as to
ms Ike them snbserse the interests of the public
good. is. in our opinion, prouder title than
that Of which the old Roman. in his sunniesl
days. cpuld have boosted; aud one probably OF
more real Significance al Importance than is
enjoyed by any other nation upon the earth
Having privileges AID immuni,ies much
shove above all other people. enjoying the
rights of freedom of action and will, and de-
psadng upoa the volitions of Enlightened judg-
Hen,. he may sise to the proper slandal d OF in
lslligeui ,hOugI.t aud correct, accurate percep-
lions of duty.
The rela,ioas Of the American citizen to the I
progressive and expansive, liberal add enlght |
ened governInsut under which he lives, are
living and essential connections. out of which |
obligations arise that can 10 no particular be
igaored. The perpetuiiy of ali that is bright
aad beautiful all that is good AID glorious, ali
that has been purchased by the spilled blood Of
heroic men who still live embalmed in the
hearts and memories of their liviag sons. de-
pend, aud viii ever depend, upon the faithful,
inaexible fnI6Ipent of these obligations.
His FIRST duty. then, may be: careful and
siadious indiuidual tkought.--noti the eyanes-i
cent. temporary thought of leisure moment
stolen f,osn actual toll, nor the less lax medi-
tatiou Of the habi.ual imbsciIe mind but the
large, expansive study of the real ard living
actnabtisss that surrosnd and almost crowd
themselves upon his attention. The stody of
men andthings which be daily comes 10 con-
tact. the unwritien history Of which he hourly
] makes part; the priiten history Of his own
and other times, which have made and is still
making bis own country the Mecca Of the
whole world. are al legitaate subjects Of deep
j and sll-pervsdiBg studious reflection. But il
Il j. not sufficient sitapy 10 reflect profoundly and
4 seriously upon these. the relations that bind
r 4 = :.
III vi; the duty of the citizen aroused 60 all the
H vital interests that give the touches of truly
IL great character. ind open the way to thost
II higher ailainmenis in which destiny is shaped
8E and man receives hts best lessons, is centeret
Ill 10 that which gives him strength and power
III % noble. inst and generous indipidual action.
Ill The knowledge Of ones relations, and th'
IL ubligaiioos consequent upon them. are not sui
III icent los the accomplishment of well studies
II objects. Unless the theories wrought out il
IN ehour ofreleciion. are made more than prob
II isatical. unless they are reduced to the pur
IL principles of practice, and carried out IN IN
II life. there can be no just expectation Of suc
esss.
Give lhese-thought and acfion-to ib
masses Of the people. and the political world
II 1t once in The process sc healthy and norma
resoIu,aon--not revolution produced by CIV
II evils or political wrongs, but one whose incep
lion aud completion are the resal,a. Direct
and essentially Of the instructive perceptions
newly awakened minds unused to think. Civ
has these, and the social and domestic worl
III will find associations that have hitherto bee
snsried. while assoc aiions. embracing The pei
grievances that so distress the socialcircle, az
give maIigoaney % the otherwise genero'
issd'ngs. viii soon give place to The high-ton'
Impulses of generous people. Widely diffo
lhtse elements of all enlightened age, and Il
M halrlh-stone will slime with ruddier glo'
sppy taces will crush the sordid coua.enan
Of The miserable fresde, and SOW with liber
hand the seeds Of happy, plenteous ccntent
The result cannot dsappoint expectation.
Tbs eomn,on mind enlightened. purified a
fedssmed from The bonds Of social vices, ma
= Ne deploxe,i than physical bondage. becon
" st:eams from which flow the power o
Mr*hgtb of true greatness. Disasining
'saAsrsbjp Of practicsd and pnscfupulous min
~ masses. before unused TO rule. and n
transformed BY the mighty power of their o
'sess'duaI thonghi. supported by the inner
'x<ag'h of their eonbined and resstless acfi
seome. in deed ans 10 truth, the represer
'''ss and exponeoti, Of principles which b
''''k then tts impress oflIving Traih.
Witsus Ia ese symbols Of civilization, rer
'sasns Is onss the lyids and boast Of lhs A,
49, mind, .Americ, woald have cisi1
~ ~ cisixsn would have 40 proud snd
1Ist Aqssr.e..
nprsese them. ana Tho tread Of tho Val
M ~ k1Afd w4ited upon every sigt
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