The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1883-10-12
PUBLIC Duty.

Il
By the expresaion, public duty, We
mean those obligations which each
individual owes to oil the other indi-
viduals in the commuaity or state In
which he lives. These obligations may |
grow out Of the relations which one
individual bears 10 another in such
community or state, or cut OF the re-
lation which one or more individuals
may bear ts another one, or more, or
ell the other persons in such commune
~ or state. For example, II is duty
which one individual owes TO each
other individual, either separately or
individually, to obey ell the laws duly
In force in the state In which oil such
persons live. This, too, Is . duty
which may not be takoa on and
thrown of at pleasure, one whose per-
formance may depend upon the whim
|or caprice Of unstable human nature,
but Il il one which should be obsyed
at all times. Ia the neglect or refusal
70 perform these public duties or obh-
cations, ID to be found evil continually.
The most important duties and obli-
cations under which mankind rests, are
those of moral nature. Il il the
duty Of every man to lend his might
and influence to educate the rising
generation both morally pd intellecsu-
Islly. NAME own person Il conduct and
daily walk should be an ever living
and bright example, leading young
men surely and continually in the path
Of rsctitude, in the line Of truth, hon.
ssty and sobriety. If you do not want
your own son TO frequent places Of evil,
resort where the youthful mind is
poisoned aud impregnated with the evil
habits and ways Of an evil.loving gen.
Grafton, then studiously avoid giving
an example that would divert the
tender mind Of the young In the
direction of the thousand and one
pitfalls into which they may fall. II
is duty that every mar, and woman,
loves to his nsighbor 10 avoid ell kinda
of conduct that would lead the IN.
thinking and unwAry children Of that
ncighsor out Of the path Of duty and
right. Ifit be an evil for young man
to take bis gun out gaming on the
Sabbath day, then gaming on the Sab
bath day should bs avoided by all the
neighbsrs of that yonng man. Il
gambling. with ell ita entangling In.
fuences il demoralizIng and ruinous "a
the well-being Of society, then Is it the
duty which each individual in a com.
munity or state owes 10 oil others, u
refrain from all indulganceS in thai
vice.
| An act. .thoughtless and unConsidered
on the part Of an adult, may lead I
young person astray, and entail upor
him the most fearful consequences
simply because the young person looked
upon such an act - an example which
he might safely follow. ItgOes without
saying, that men grow better or wors,
morally as abey pass along tho journey
Of life. Either their desire and de-
termination 10 scrupulously regard The
truth will weaken as they come nearci
and nearer to the tempter's snare, OF
their love Of truth will gro~ more
fervent and thus enable them ''to yield
not to temptation" Then how careful
should every person be to avoid dOinG
or saying any thing which might b
fastened upon BY the young a. Al
example to be followed, and 6nd wher
too late that the act or thing said ha
led them far eff from the path Of honor
truth, or duty. The great body o
young men Of the present day ar
slaves. Hundreds and thousands Q
; them are to be met with in every cit,
where the smoking habit holds undis
; puted sway over their every day life
As many are found who are yielding I
willing obedience 10 the stern mandate
of the chewing habit. Others in equs
numbers are worshipPing at the shrin
of Bacchus, while other hundreds ar
; faithfully performing all the menial
bat hellish, duties Of the great emperor
the great MoguI of the gambling den
of the day. Il is a fearful though
that this condition Of things wa
superinducsd by the thoughtless, care
lsss, ungusrded act of a very fe'
persons who needed not their obliga
tions to the public. How very, yer,
much better would the moral condition
of this world be if all would faithful,
perform all the duties enjoined upol
them by reason of their being.
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