The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-07-04
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1883.
THE DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.


The just published address Of
Judge 7. C. Manning, delivered be.
fore the literary societies Of the Uni
versity of North Carolina, is an in
teresting and sug ,estive production.
"There can he no greater mistake"
says Judge Manning, "than to sup
pose that political duties are con-
fined to one class Of citizens, or that
a proper and diligent performance of
them is the special obligation of
those who seek or occupy public
place." In the exercise Of the du
ties Of citizenship and the mainten
ance of the principles of a RESPONSE
BILE self government, the true man
must observe that vigilance which is
the price of liberty. The debased
politics which are the resort of
scoundrels and which attain selfish
ends through deceptive methods, are
of the earth, earthly in all their as
poets, But in the higher ranges Of
political science there is ample verge
for the exercise of the noblest attain
ment the loftiest patriotism and the
pur,st principles.
Great men, Judge Manning tells
US, are, as rule, "a product of ma.
TONS force" When called for they
appear, unless the nation is already
too far gone i'll its decadence. This
country found them in the times
which tried mems souls, aud it will
find them again, should the occasion
call them. However debased party
politics may have become, in the
types of American manhood there
are, at least, no signs Of decadence.
But even in a country which re-
cognizes the people as the source Of
all political power, corruption may
attain foothold, not necessarily be-
cause the people are corrupt, hut be-
cause they may have become indif-
ferent. In either case the result is
the same, and the necessity of seek
ing out remedy is equally impera,
Tive. Political morals and personal
morals should be based on the same
rigid rules; when the former are re
laxed the latter should etfectually
correct them. aat
The theory which SO long obtain
ed in the Old World that govern
ments are instituted for the benefit
of the governors, is now, thank God,
effectuaIly exploded. For more than
a century democratic ideas have
been in the ascendant, and they have
affected even the Fa,berland, whence
our first ideas of civil and religious
liberty were derived. Thus Eng,
land, though monarchy in name,
approaches in its responsibility to
the Commons more nearly to Re.
public in fact than any other coun-
try in the world. In the language of
Theirs: "The Queen reigns but does
not govern Judge Manning, in
this connection, very we'll observes:
The FIRST duty of the men of the pre-
sent day is to elevate the tone Of pub
lie morals, to infuse into the people a
higher sense of political obligations to
detlrone venality, and to teach the
coming generation that they should no
more tolerate political than personal
immortality, and that man who is not
worthy Of social respect does not de-
serve political elevation. This cannot
be accomplished without the aid of the
cultivated intellect of the nation com
ing to the rescue, and the accomplish
ment of it cannot be omitted without
danger to the institutions under which
we profess to be proud to live.
The basis of all high character is
honesty-honesty is the larger sense OF
the word-not only honesty in that
sense which means payment of monet
airy obligations, though that is the
foundation of honesty in all other
things, but straightforwardness in &C.
ton. sincerity in thought and speech,
purity of motive, all of which bring
devotion of character. You at once
admit that he who is groveling in biz
aims, insecure in his purposes, and
dishonest in his dealings, is not wor.
thy of association in the every day
concerns of life. Why should you toll
crate. such characteristics in him who
is to I'll places Of honor, power and
responsibility?
The people are advised to guard
against the power and the danger Of
concentrated wealth - the dynasty
of modern States. A corrective pow
er exists, but it must be practically
invoked and exercised, SO as to cor
rect whatever is against public pol
icy, and make self government
grand reality. In our schools this
, higher duty should be taught ant
the inspiration should be impaired BY
American mothers to their sons
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