The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-15
THE AVERAGE CITIZEN.

Experience and observation combine
force the conclusion that the average citize
is not "bulwark of freedom" lie is eithe
negligent of his political duties, considering
the great object of citizenship to be protec
ton and undisturded license in the pursui
of wealth and self-indulgence or he is lout
mouthed and boastful of his patriotism in tn,
beginning of a campaign, lapsing into 6
hungry growl and an eager scramble fo
some fat Office at the assembling of nomi
mating convention.
Indeed so great is the odium cast upon
earnest devotion to the public interest by the
political drones Of this age and generation
that one rarely ever finds the same leaders in
local politics from one year to another, unless
it be those who have 'tmade it pay" by the
"spoils of Office"
He who, with single eye to the duties Of
good citizenship, spends his time and strength,
or talents if he has them, in the service of the
public, and to advance honest and capable
men to positions of public trust, and seeks
not his reward with greed and clamor, is in
danger, not only of the SCOTS of his associates,
but of reaping the stigma of 'an unsuccessful
politician"
1t is not seldom that We hear our most sin
cere and public spirited merchants, who in
the recent desperate diff culties in our politi-
cal affairs, nobly joined hands with the honest
and faithful mechanics and laborers, say with
regret and modification that their business
has suffered serious injury, because they had
taken too active an interest in politics"
Why is this? In a country where the peo-
pies g sovereignty is SO loudly boosted,
where the powers of government are SO
jealousy reserved to the "people of the
States" it would seem that the exercise of
this great boon, SO recently wrested from
kingly hands, would at least be free from
any ignoble faint. 1t would seem that COM
mon sense would proclaim that the theory of
popular sovereignty, involved also popular
duties and popular responsibilities. If the
best blood of one hundred years ago was shed
to strip the robes OF power from long line
of rulers, jure diuino, and place them upon
the shoulders of the peoples choice, it would
seem to be noignoble thing for the people to ex.
ercise the divine right of governing themselves.
If indeed the elective franchise has come
really to be, like American aristocracy, ga
thing for laughter, filings and jeers," the Gen.
tennial celebrators at Philadelphia would do
we'll to tear up the wretched parchment that
brings us to our disgrace, and send courters
to the throne of st. James, beseeching an
early resumption of the divine right Of kings
10 rule people too indolent or too corrupt to
protect or conserve their own liberties.
1t is true the greed and corruption of Rad
cal rule since the war, and tho absolute de-
dance of everything like decent respect for
constitutional limitations, in the sweep of ex-
ecutive power, has Slapped every foundation
# respect for the present administration of
government, while the corrupting influences
IF the Administration brought to bear in
svery election has sickened the hearts of hon
sst people, and given much cause to despair
If the success of popular government.
We submit higher standard of public
luty is not only demanded by the theory of
rec citizenship, but imperatively necessary
or the perpetuity of free institutions.