The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1871-09-30
The Obligations Of Citizens In @
Free Government,

spread before the people of free land, there arc
perhaps none less appreciated as such than the
relations aud duties which each man owes to
the State. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see
good men shrinking from all political action,
from the very motive Of preserving their char
acters from the contamination which they COLI
ceive to be inevitably involved in taking part
tu public affairs. The violence of party spirit,
and the fraud and corruption to which it leads,
indnce them to think they can best subserve
their personal improvement BY quietly laying
upon them as citizens. 1t they were right in
this conjecture, if personal self-culture really
required the sacrifice of solemn obligations to
Others. We should even then despse the selfish
spirit that would seek to beneft ourselves ut
the expense of public duty, but this is not the
case No such perilous choice exists, save in
imagination. The welfare of every individual
is wrapped up in the welfare of the public, and
vii! only be promoted in proportion to his brave
snd uureserved acceptance of every responsi.
blity. and fultillment of every duty that falls
to his lot.
Aside from this, however, the political obi
cations which are binding upon every citizen of
a Tree Government have in their observance
direct and important influence for good upon
bic personal character. If he discharge them
faithfully. be must be prepared to discuss great
objects, to decide important interests, to deter
mine measures affecting not only himself and
consider the resources of his country and her
foreign policy, must cultivate an earnest desire
for her prosperity, and still greater anxiety
f"r her integrity. Can he sedulously inform
ing h,> uinl and strengthening his Judgment
or can he cherish ench q spirit Of patriotism
without eIevst his moral nature Z Every
impartial and s.housntfuf person will see ut
once that 10 cannot. The public questions con-
tiaualiy arising and apps. ling ~ they do to his
expand his intellect, and raise his 'sho"Shts
above merely selfish intercsts, thus giving him
a breadth OF ricw and force of character tha.s
can never distin snisA the massea of the people /
under y, despotic Government: lf'hese are'nos !
tue actual resnlts upon the minds aud hearts Of !
those who do take an active part in the politics ,
NJ their country it is not the fault OF the sub |
|ect itself but Of the spirit that IL brought into
't: II ID because honesty is laid aside and il re-
placed by fraud aad party spirit Iii, undoubt-
ediy right that every citizen should support
that side in politics which in bis conscience he !
believes to contain the lest principles for the !
;ountry,s good. Rat it, when he does this, he |
nerscs his own Judgment aud moral sense in !
the party he hss sspoused If he upholds them |
10 all things, and ut all hazards. regardless Of |
his own responsibility to support only what 10
Erne and right; ii he yields to tho blind fury
nica inspires hatred ofcvery one who differs |
al opinion and resistance to every measure that
IN oppOsins party can suggcst-fhen. Indeed, he
legra4es politics and corrupts his own nature.
" theu-ver party becomes iearer than nriuci
PIE Whenever tory is more precious than
tncH 'uolaA Independents FeteIFeS ita
teath. h.how and political life is rubbed OF all its
'ignifcance. The vndictive spirit that inspires
10 many to malign the motives and to bring the
most unfounde't charges against the leaders Of
my opposing party: the selfish artifice to obtain
'ower and station: the frauds and hribes used
o corrupt men and obtain their support, are NJ,
utterly opposed to all justice and goodness thar
re cannot wonder that those " ho believe such
hinge should hold themselves aloof aud shrink
rom pollution. But the mistake they make il
Ii eonfounding the subject itself. which iz
yeighty, with the spirit often brought into il.
outics and responsibilities ought not to be- TIM.
h'rsed, and they cannot le without detriment
o him who avoids them
1t is the duty Of every citizen to Obtain a clear
understanding IF the questions which aritatc
nc community rnd the principles which Under.
lie them % Judge impartiali~ of the characters
lhu actions ct those whom he aids 10 put into
authority: 1t is only in this way that he can
xert an influence tor good on til. welfare Of
he couniry.-N. O. Bee.