The Dawson journal., 1885-09-03
Good Citizenship.

ana ecnolaStlc education, we
should never loose sight of the
fact that we occupy a position OF
responsibility to the public as
well as toward our individual in
terests. No man liveth to him
self in this world The individual
that seeks principally or only his
own advantage is not a true man,
ioes-not Eli the niche he was inten
ded to occupy. Man should there
fore prepare himself to discharge
perfectly the duty which nature
has placed on HIM in his relations
to mankind. The ideal citizen, what
should he be? and how should
he act? This question IS presented
as a subject Of reflection to our
young men, rather than for an ex-
haustiye answer.
The true citizen should be in
dustrious, economical, intelligent,
liberal, genial and moral. He
should appreciate wealth, and
cultivate a wealth producing and
a wealth-preserving habit. His
wealth should not be looked on
by him as a mere accumulation
of goods for his own enjoy ment.
His enjoyment of wealth should
be a mere incidental connection
with his fortune, the main idea
being the advancement of the
public good. No mans fortune is
the simple product Of his own
enterprise, ingenuity, industry
and effort. These have done
mucl to secure his success, but
other things beyond his control,
for which he must thank the pub
lie, has helped to make him rich.
How much of Mr.. Vanderbilt's s
fortune is due to the discovery of
America by Columbus, the estab-
lishment of modern freedom by
the men of revolutionary days,
the impression of pure moral SER
timents on our peculiar civiliza-
tions by the Puritans, the subju-
CATION of forest, wind, water, and
land by the pioneers of the past,
the multiplied discoveries in ply
sical science and the application
of these principles to practical
purposes by inventors, would con-
stitute a subject of great interest
to the thoughtful student. Atleast
this practical conclusion resulting
from such study would be derived
that each man should hold his
property as a sacred trust for til :
benefit of humanity. Such a view
of wealth by our successful citi-
zens is the true &utidote to Ameri-
can, if not European, comm 1nisim.
The true citizen should also ap-
preciate mental culture and infor-
nation. He should be a student
of history, science, life not mere
ly for personal pleasure, but that
he may contribute to the advance
ment of his fellowlnen in comfort,
peace of mind, and nobility oil
character. Would that our young
men, instead of wasting time in
sensual indulgencies, frivolous
conversation, and fippant read
ing, would inform themselves on
matters of science and political
economy that effect the welfare OF
of the smallest town in which they
may live. How few of us are fit
ted for the Office of al.
derman in the idea of
contributing to the real comfort
of town or city-to the attrac-
tiveness of its aspect to the eye oi
strangers. Few aspirants for
prominence give much thought tc
the laws of sanitation or study the
principles of public hygiene. The
time is coming for the young peo
pie of our Southern land to awake
to higher standards of their rela.
tionship to public good, to give
their thoughts to the elevation oi
our people in all the arts of bet.
ter life in body, mind and heart
| The true citizen should realize
his duties to the public morals
Not allow himself to be governed
by prejudices of personal friend.
ship and business relations, but
regard the weight of his own acts
and influence in their true light
and throw them all the time and
in all directions in favor of that
rrh;nI 70 Lono.4 LII I.