Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-07-17
R,oHrs AND DUTIES.
OF Using Ones Privileges
to the Best Good OF Society.

i I'm portsncs OF Using Ones Privileger
to the Best Good Of Society.
4 oe truth that every new right
red involves new obligations and
Il Duties needs much more emphasis
Y III 1t at present receives. The desire
ein rights is strong enough and
Gfently manifested, but the desire
&Glfll worthily the trusts they i'm
IL comparatively weak. A man
he'd hand and foot is certainly de-
I'd IL the right of free motion, and
: NJ demands release. But directly
"a set free multitude OF duties and
ations spring up. Where shall he
~ his steps? How shall he use his
yjep What good thing is he to bring
h mt his liberty that was impossible
ne? II he uses his. newly-found
58W1r only to abuse and maltreat his
SIl6wmcn. it may well be doubted
ethcr, after all. his former state of
4 &int were not preferable. So with
<ther rights-free thought, free
4 "a. free press. free labor-they are
&lngs in proportion as they are
Y used for good; when they are used
Interests Of selfshness and greed.
destroy the rights Of others, or
weak down law and order. they
IN 10 be benefactions, and If car
ed IN such directions beyond certain
amtts society justly retracts the
boom Rights used in the cause
~ wrong certainly forfeit their
40 q Il,
xery ma ne an absurdity. 1t is time
f6et more emphasis were laid upon
0FNl obligation. both as between man
his fellow-man and between the
md the community. Too many
0pIe are developing keen insight
lnlo what they suppose others owe
S1ozn. while maintaining dizziness of
rsEDeption truly alarming as to what
Thy ave to Others. Clamoring loudly
4 16x their own rights. they forget how
1AAny ghtful claims Of others they are
constantly Withholding. It is, of course.
06iy the few extremely pronounced
e1ses Of this injustice with which the
- ean deal. By far the larger pro-
portion are beyond the reach Of law
c0anr1k The father of family, claim
Ing the ri ght to order his own household.
fo6s bis children of the most sacred
rl&hta and through avarice, or selfish.
ness or Ill -humor, wrecks their happi-
ness md prospects. Or an avaricious
manufactured, who claims the right to
manage his own business without inter-
ference, so manages it that his work
men must labor at starvation wages.
and his customers must pay full price
for an adulterated article. Or the
lab6ror eagerly claims his right to
labor ~ pleasure, and to cease when
he will yet utterly disregards the same
right Of his fellow-laborer. and compel>
him. by threat and penalty. to abstain
from working at his command. Thus,
ia the name of lib erty, many an act o.
tyranny fourishes; in the name of free
dom, many a feeble one becomes en-
shaved; in the name of human
rights. many a man and woman
Is cruelty wronged; in the name
Of free speech. many fair reputation
y ruined. many falsehoods dissent
mated, many errors taught. What is
needed among US more than the insist
ence Of rights is the enforcement of
duty. It should be impressed upon the
minds and hearts of all that right i,
not something merely to secure, to re-
joice In, and to use ut pleasure, but
that it is a solemn trust to hold. an OBJ
legation to fulfill. power to WELD,
responsibility for which each who pos
scsses 1t is accountable. The question
so often asked: IAN l receiving all
the rights to which l am entitled?'
should be coupled with the more i'm
purtant and searching one: IAN
using all the rights with which | am
Invested for the best good of society?
Anal giving to others all the rights
which belong to them, as far as my
power extends?" 1t is this attitude of
mind which gives breath and dignity to
life, and raises Justice and generosity
TO their rightful places in society. Only
as men live for something higher and
nobler than self can they attain their
trlle value, and only as this is done
habitually by individuals can we hope
to see an elevated and prosperous COM
munity. A movement in this direction
is being made by the formation of So
cieties, whose object is said to be 1.-The
dissemination of knowledge of the
principles of good citizenship and the
promotion of the observance of the
duties Imposed thereby" We gladly
wee llne all such endeavors, hoping
that their influence may be widely diff
fused and may help to place the whole
doctrine of rights upon the firm and
sure basis of righteousr ess. Phiiadel-
phid Ledger.