Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-24
RIGHTS AND DUTIES.
The Importance of Using Ones Pr.-i.esc,
to the Best Good of Society.
The truth that every new re-,

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to the Best Good OF Society.
The truth that every new r:-ht
secured involves new Obligations ard
new duties needs mrch more cmpila-.s
than it at present receives. The ,irS.r'.
TO gain rights is strong enoag., and
sufficiently manifested, bit the ,,,>;"o
to fulfill worthy the trusts they in-
pose is comparatively weak. \ MAJ
chained hand aud foot is certainly d.
prived Of the right of free motion. and
Justly demands release. But d.rrr, =
he is set free multitude of duties ;,i,d
obligations spring up. Where shall h.
direct mis- steps? How shall he Use lis
hands? What good thing is he TO hiin,
out of his liberty that was impn>>ih.s
before? If ne uses his newiy-forni
power only To abuse and m;.itreat lis
fellowmen. 10 may we'll be Gou1'c.
whether, after AL. his former state al
restraint were not preferable. So Min
all other righis-free thought. fra
speech. free press. free labor-thrv are
blessings in proportion as they az
exercised for COOL: when they are U-e
in the interests of 5elishneSs anl greed.
or to destroy the rights of others. g!
To break down law and order. ta"N
cease TO be benefactiOns, and il cas-
rief in such directions beyond crr,;.:n
limits society justly retracts ;!.c
boon. Rights used in the cause
of wrong certainly forfeit 'h"ir
claim to recognition, and render The
very name an absurdity. Il i, time
that more emphasis were laid ui"':i
moral obligation, both as between E'au
and his fellow-man and between L."
man and the community. Too mHm''
people are developing a keen insich'
into what they suppose others "w''
them, while maintaining 4 dulincSS 81
perception truly alarming as to wha,
they owe to others. Clamoring lou'.iy
for their own rights. they forget h"w
many rightful claims of others they are
constantly withholding. 1t is, Ot course.
only the few extremely pronounced
cases of this injustice with which the
law can deal. By far the larger pro-
portion are beyond the reach OF Law
courts. The father of a family, claim
ing the right to order his own household.
robs hi, children of the most sacred
rights, and through avarice, or SELLS IL
ness, or ill -humor, wrecks their harpi'
ness and prospects. Or an avaric:""'
manufacturer, who claims the right t
manage his own business without inter
ference, so manages it that his work
men must labor at starvation wa|' :
and his custom ers must pay full rrio'
for an adulterated article. Or 'h'
laborer eagerly claims his right Il
labor at pleasure, and to cease Whr'
he will. yet utterly disregarCls the same
right of his fellow-laborer, and comp".
him, by threat and penalty, to abstain
from working at his command. Thus
in the name of lib erty, many az act o
tyranny flourishes; in the name OF free
dom, many feeble one becomes Ell
shaved; in the name of huna'
rights. many Il man and woman
is cruelty wronged; in the nam'
of free speech, many q fair reputation
is ruined. many falsehoods dissent
mated, many errors taught. Nha'
needed among us more than the insist
ence of rights is the enforcement O
duty. 1t should be impressed upon til
minds and hearts of all that right
not something merely to secure. to re
ioice in, and to use ut pleasure, bu
that it is solemn trust to hold, an ob
legation to fulfill, power to wIeid'
responsibility for which each who pos
sesses it is accountable. The question
so often asked: lam l receiving n
the rights to which l am entitled?'
should be coupled with the more i'm
portant and searching one: lam
using all the rights with which l an
invested for the best good of society
Am giving to others all the right
which belong to them. as far as m
power extends" 1t is this attitude {
mind which gives breath and dignity
life, and raises Justice and generosit
to their rightful places in society. Onl
as men live for something higher an
nobler than self can they attain thei
true value, and only as this is don
habitually by individuals can we hop
to see m elevated and prosperous com
munitv. A movement in this dlrectlo
is being made by the formation OF Sc
cieties, whose object is said to be 18th
inIr of
principles of good citizenship and tn
promotion of the observance OF tn
duties imposed thereby" We gladl
welcome all such endeavOrs, hopin
that their influence may be widely di
fused ard may help to place the Who'll
doctrine of rights upon the firm an
sure basis of Observation-Disclosures
phid Ledger.
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