The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-05-25
Ghe lemorrat-S Star
Rights and Right-Doing.
Philadelphia Ledger.


Philadelphia Ledger.
The truth that every new right
secured involves new obligations
aud new duties needs much moe
emphasis than it at present re,
ceives. The desire TO gain rights
is strong enough and sucfiiently
manifested, but the desire to fulfil
worthily The truSts they impose is
comparatively weak. A man chain.
ed hand and foot is certainly de-
prived OF the right of free motion,
and justly demands release. But
directly he is set free a multitude
of duties and obligations String
up. Where shall he direct his
steps? How shall he use his hands
What good thing is he to bring out
of his liberty that was impossible
before? II he uses his newly-fOund
power only 10 abuse and maltreat
his fellow-men, it may well be
doubted whether after all his for
mel state of restraint we're not pre-
terable. So with all other rights
free thoughts, free speech, free
press, free labor-they are blessings
in proportion as they are exercised
for good ; when they are used in
the interests of s~elfishness and
greed, or TO destroy the rights of
others, or to break down law and
order, they cease to be benetac-
factions, and if carried in such di-
rections beyond certain limits So
clety retracts the boon. Rights
used in the cause of wrong certain
~ forfeit their claim TO recognition,
and render heir very name an alb
surditY. 1t is time that more EN-
phas:s were laid upon moral oblig-
alton, both as between man and
his fellow-man and between the
man and the community. 100
many people are developing a keen
insight in what they suppose others
owe them, while maintaining Il
dizziness of perception truly alarm.
ing as 10 what they owe to others.
Clamoring loudly for their own
rights, they forget how many right,
full claims Of others they are con.
stantly Withholding. 1t is, Of
Course, only the few extremely
pronounced cases Of this injustice
with which the law can deal. BY
the larger proportion are beyond
the reach Of law courts. The faith
err of a family, claiming the right to
order his own household, rObs his
children of the most sacred rights,
and through avarice, or selhshness,
or ill-humor, wrecks their happl-
ness aud prospects. Or an avari-
cious manufacturer, who claims the
right to manage his own business
without the interference, so man
ages it that his workmen must la
Dor at starl alton wages, and bis
customers must pay full price for
an adulterated article. Or the la
borer eagerly claims his right to
labor at his pleasure, and to cease
when he wilt, yet utterly disre-
CARDS the same right of his fellow
laborer, and cOmpels him, by
threat and penalty, TO abstain from
working at his command. Thus
IN the name of liberty, many ar
act of tyranny fourishes in the
name of freedom, many a feeble
one becomes enslaved; in the
name Of human rights, many f;
man and woman is cruelty wrong
ed /; in the name of lree speech
many a fair reputation is ruined
many falsehoOds disseminated
many errors taught. What is need
ed among us more than the insist
ence of rights is the enforcement
duty. 1t should be impressed upol
the minds and hearts OF all that
right is not something merely t
secure, to rejoice in, and to use a
pleasure, but that it Is a solemn
trust to hold, an obligation to fulfill
a power to WELD, a responsibility
for which each who possesses it il
accountable. The question so Offer
asked cam l receiving all tn,
rights 10 which | am entitled p
should be coupled with The NOR,
important and searching ones
Am [ using all the rights will
which | am invested for the bes.
good Of society? Am | giving t
others all the rights which belong
10 them. as far as my power eX
tends r. i is thus attitude Of minC
which gives breath and dignity &c
life, and raises justice and gener
osity to their rightful places IN so
ciety. Only as men live for some
thing higher and nobler than sell
can they attain their true value,
and only as this done habitually by
individuals can we hope to see an
elevated and prosperous cOmmuml-
tv. a movement IN this direction
is being made by the formation OF
societies. whose object Is said 10 be
dissemination of a knowledge OF
the principles OF good citizenship
and the promotion of the 0bserv.
ance of the duties imposed there
by" We gladly welcome all such
endeavors, hoping that their lnfiu
ence may be widely diffused anC
may help TO place the whole doc
trine of rights upon the firm anc
sure basis Of righteousness.
tt. Ano-to Io.,ruoI en- ms mn thI