The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-09-02
The Centennial Duties Of Citi-
zenship.

Or what avail is 1t to have reviewed
together the glorious sacrifice Of our faith
ers, to have counted our advantages, and
set iu order our blessings, unless We too
arc thereby stimulated TO deserve well OF
the republic? Let tho glorious example
Of our fathers inspire US with like zeal 10
the cause Of freedom and progress. TAX.
ing into our charge at tho outset of this
second century of indcpe ndent national
life country not merely free but devel.
oped by century of freedom having at
command the culture the wealth aud re-
sources which kind Providence has suf-
fered to accumulate, cheered on by the
sympathy of a world, what, that on this
earth is possible may we not accomplish
for mankind Before US, at our hands,
what glorious opportunities How deep
and utter the disgrace if we make no ef.
fort to improve them, it We suffer this
goodly heritage to sink into ruin and de-.
cay!
Nor have We far to seok for work
which each Of us ought to do now for the
nation. 1t lies at hand for every citizen.
The times when heroic services may be
rendered como but seldom. Not often
must the sacrifice OF life, Of iortuno and
and Of sacred honor be laid upon tho al
tars Of liberty Eternal vigilance rather
is its price. And this price every one of
US can pay The duty 0! tho hour is
plain and easy. 1t is that every Ameri.
can citizen should discharge thoroughly
promptly, intelligently and conscientious.
ly the Office and duties Of his citizenship.
Knowing that our government can be so
administered as to accomplish Its bene-
ficient purposes only at the hands of or
ganizations of tho people, to which the
world has long since given the name of
parties. he should absove himself,at once
and forever, from allegiance to party az
party; exercising an honest aud inteli-
gent judgment with reference to public
measures and public men, he should make
that, rather than the creed or tradition of
party. tho criterion Of his condemnation
or approval. Above all, if the party
with which he has been Unidentified fails
to recognize new issues. or to perform its
duty by tho nation, he should not hesitate
to oppose it or to advocate the right.
Whatever party may bo in power, in
state or nation, let every citizen demand
that it be held to the most strict response
bility for all that is entrusted to it. For
all that it might accomplish, as we'll as
for all that il does. And when he secs
failure. let him not only condemn, but
see to it that his condemnation is the ne.
ginning Of reform
Nor can this work be done by him who
stands apart from his fellows and shuus
the sometimes disag greeable duties Of ci.i-
zenship, Let no one fancy that he does
his full duty by his country when he sim.
ply criticlses or condemns, however wisely,
or ably or constantly. Thersites was, no
doubt, useful figure in the Grecian
camp, but not by him was Hector slain or
the Trojan city given to fire and sword
II every. honest soldier presses to the
front. and is on the alert to occupy the
ground, there will be no room in party or
in Office, for thief or rogue. If every
citizen actively attends to the duties Of
his citizenship, the state is safe.
Let, then, every American in this cen
teunial year. offer to his country the
faithful exercise of the privileges she has
conferred. Let him give careful study
to public measures, constant watchfulness
to the conduct Of public men. LET him
pledge his intelligent and candid criticism
OF what he 6nds, and his earnest and per.
sonnl work for the amendment of all that
is amiss, for the amendment of all that
may be improved. Let him be- present
in person at the caucus, and By worthy
delegate at the convention, and above all,
lot no citizen ever fail to give his final
pledge 10 his country at the balotbox.