The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-09-02

WI" VI '"'"''i'h Nrs uy uoo"t th'iN
five or forty per cent than it really il.
The consequences are apparent; the
public credit falls below par and public
improvements are retarded greatly to
the disadvantage of the whole common
wealth.
Justice and the public good demand
of the citizen that he shall deal honest.
ly with the municipality which guaran-
tees to him the amenities of civilization
and protection to his personal liberl,
and property. County orders shoulo
be worth just what they call for in coin
and each year should find in the public
treasury surplus funds to be devoted to
the construction Of roads, bridges, pub
lie buildings and the regular mainten-
ance of first class public schools. Lack
of public spirit is the only reason tia,
this is not the case in Clarke county at
the present time. Financial ability OF
the people is not sufficient excuse.
The writer OF this article is acquainte.
with the natural resources of the coun
ty and the financial status of the people
in general aud does not reckon without
his host.
There are forms of religious tana,i
cism which seek the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT oi
class and deter the proper exercise OF
public spirit. Clarke county has bee,
cursed with them to no small degree.
They have drawn their sustellamc,
from the people upon the plea of cllari.
ty and the support OF the gospel, anu
IN return therefor have coul,selled ex-
clusivcuess and narrow minded illiber
ality hostile to and destructive of the
means leading to political purity ami
Stability. i.n"', 49,, ,h""li -.n nnd,
the subject Of more thoughtful attention
by the masses. Individual duty To-
God is the sum of all human duty
whatsoever. This is the writer's opin
ion. All men are alike entitled to their
own opinions. Religion is therefore :.
matter TOR the individual to settle fol
himself; but whatever form thereof Ii,
may adopt, he is certainly wrohg if b,
is thereby deferred from exercising til,
public spirit due from him as IA factor o'
that municipality which shelters him
from harm aud gives him II firm lcnul
to his property. In II truly enlightened
state, individual duty TO the govern
ment ot the State ranks above indi id
ual duty t" church organizations. This
is Il very important truth and shoul',
be borne constantly in mind by both
the people of Clarke county and the
whole tepublic.
There is an urgent necessity for
large increase Of public spirit in Clark,
county. Merchants, business men OF
all classes, and the farming community,
need a good stirring up on this subject.
Selfish indulgence of animal appetite
aud avaricious disposition has depleted
the public treasury, retarded the work
of education, lowered the standard OF
public morals and hindered the general
progress Of our people toward that ideal
standard so beautiful which finds an
end in perfect peace. In many Of these
respects Clarke county is not much
worse off than the average of other
communities in the Territory or the
Union; but notwithstanding this, how
wide is the margin for Improvement.
The public, both Of town and country,
from every section, should endeavor to
lay aside petty chickering's and jealous
les, and strike hands over the deter
mination to work hencctorth with AN
eye closer to the public good. So mote
it be. w.
The British ship Buckinghamshire