Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-11-19
Our National Responsibility.
eniOr Grafton by Albert ID. Elliot, Of York.



pelling principle, by which it tends to pro-
gressive change in it's social and political
condition. Its history, like the life of an
individual, is exhibited in youth, maturity,
and decrepitude. At times it passes
through these several changes in a CON-
paratively brief period. In other cases,
centuries must elapse before similar
course isgOne through. America exhibits
one of the few examples of country
still in its youth. She has grown up un-
noticed, and while the attention of man.
kind was directed elsewhere, suddenly as
sumed most prominent place among the
nations, and the world learned her exis-
tencc and greatness at almost the same
time. The maintenance of that greatness,
the preservation Of tho unity of the ro-
public, the banishment of the fOllies and
Injuries of foreign nations. involve re-
sponsibility, deep and serious, to each one
of her citizens. Not only on the feeling
of that responsibility does the present
safety Of the country depend, but also our
brightest anticipation of her future pros
pcrity.
Elated by our success in the past, VIC
have scliishly forced the growth Of our
country with more haste than wisdom.
We have SO complicated our laws that our
under the hands of designing politicians
riddle Of mystery. Freedom of speech
and of the press has been abused by
prejudice, selfish ambition, and party
spirit. 1t is on account of these evils that
tine true American citizen looks upon our
future with alarm THAT he feels the great
responsibility resting upon him of keeping
unsullicd the honor and purity of his con-
stitutional liberty. That there are evils
in our political system, no one will deny
''yct evil is inScparablc from human n:,-
ture." We should, however, make Il dis
tinctiOn between the errors of honest men
and those of the dcmagOguc. Ofthc for
mcr, We should ever remember that our
cOuntrymen like ourselves, arc frail
and crring men, and though they
make mistakes, it is only through
them We learn wisdom and fOrcthouSht.
Should wc forget the advantages that
our constitution affords us, or point out in
the near future the downfall of our repub-
lie, on account Of the common imperfec-
tiOns OF man? No! Our faults arc our
own, and our misfOrtuncs the consequences
of our faults but our political advantages
are gifts from God, and it is our great
duty not only to improve them, but to
guard and retain them in all their former
purity. All OF our defects can be remedied,
and surely, there is no danger that they
cannot bc avoided by a proper care. We
should not yet look for perfection. l. is
reached the position we now hold, SO that
our disasters, just as those Of the past,
should teach us NOR" plainly the great re-
sponsibility resting upon us. There is,
notwithstanding an Occasional agitation i'll
our political circles still 4 calm, quiet
sense of duty among our people, sufficient
to maintain the equilibrium. This calm,
quiet sense of duty is not seen around
places of national election; it is not heard
vOciferating and applauding in party meet
ings nor, it is to be regretted, is it often
seen during our political troubles, when
ambitious and greedy politicians struggle
rather for personal advancement than
their countly's prosperity. But it lives
with those who from daily labo: are
too independent to be bribed, or who arc
too well content to aspire to popular
favor. 1t is found in the con-
sciantious man. 1t is found in the
GOd-fcarins ono. 1t dcliberatcs around
the domestic freside, when he, knowing
his responsibility as a father, thinks of the
posterity who are to I've after him. ''1t
is like evil upon the waters of troubled
strife" Surely the man possessing this
quiet sense of duty is the true citizen. He
it,iSiA whose presence the man in power
trembles. The corrupt politician finds his
clear eye fixed upon him, and quails be-
meath his searching scrutiny. The dcma-
goguc hears his voice of warning, and is
alarmed for his own safety. It is not SUR
prising in these times, that the party of the
honest and truly patriotic is small, smaller
than We even think, but it still has without
doubt the controlling power from tie divis-
ions Of the rest. The former are the true cit
liens. They are the men who hold the coun-
try together, and their influence saves the
mass from utter corruption. With them
VIC should look above the dust raised by
scuffling partisans. to Him on high; look
back upon all the trials through which he
has safely guided lis, ard trust our future
to Him and to those knowing their re-
sponsibility as American citizens. 1t is
not only necessary that VIC guard ourselves
against all corruption Of a political nature,
but VIC should ut all times encourage prin-
ciplcs of peace, both with ourselves and
with foreign powers. Our country, sep
arated as it is from the rest of tho world,
gives us a feeling Of security. Tie blessings
showcred upon us by peace would be many
and no one could set limits to our success
do d Adtiou. Atuly, Guc WOIiu DIS IL Iu-
vanccS in civilization, seems to point to
that time when peace shall be universal.
War is one Of the greatest crimes, and the
declaration of war brings with it manifold
evils, but not single redeeming result. 1t
drains our national resources, corrupts our
people, and weakens all branches of indus
try.
In addition to these evils We must be-
ware of all follics and luxuries for we are
never a free people as long as encrcled by
them.
Perhaps Of all dreaded calamities these
are most to be feared. We have but to
look back and lift the veil of the dim past
to see the ruin that the follies and luxuries
of foreign nations have brought upon
them. Ii America persists in time to
come in encouraging them as much as
she has in the past, it will not be safe to
predict her future prosperity. Her fate
in that sad event would be the same as
that Of other countries. Her history would
be blot upon the pages Of time. 1t is
the duty Of each one of Us as citizens, to
Danish all folly and luxury, that their ell
feebling influence may not be felt, that the
country may be preserved in all its ancient
vig0r. When We reflect on Americas
past and present, We surely cannot help
feeling our deep responsibility as nation.
All other nations jealous Of cur success and
prosperity rejoice at every symptom. of
Internal dissensions.
We may safely say that our destruction
As 4 I'eopi': would not only please the ene-
mics Of liberty, but would crush forever
the hopes Of all future republics. When
We arc able r., feel this deem rcSnOnSihiiitv