St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-22
DUTIES OF. CITIZENSHIP.

DUTIES .GIIIZ EMS HIP.
The subject selected by the Twilight
club for discussion last evening was not
only Interesting, but timely. There is
an evident disposition on the part of the
masses, and particularly among the
business classes, to shirk the response
bilitieS of citizenship. They are too
much engrossed in their individual
affairs to give their attention to public
matters. 1t is lamentable fact that,
instead of priding themselves upon their
citizenship, and being extremely Jealous
of its rights and dignitieS. the great
majority of the American people prefer
to shift the active duties pertaining to
their station to the shoulders of those
in authority, and TO trust to the news
papers for an accurate portrayal of pub
lie events. Their excuse Is that they
are too busy with their own affairs
to spend time on matters that
other people are paid to attend
to. In this way we find that
the tendency of our democratic iuStitu-
lions is not only 10 terminate extreme
individual sel6shness, but it has the
still more dangerous tendency of rem
dering the mass of the people unmind-
full of the important duties and grave
responsibilities attached to their polit-
zeal birthright. If the apostle Paul re-
garded it no mean thing to be classed as
a Roman citizen. with how much more
exultant pride should we claim the dis
tinction of being American citizens.
Ours is the conquering, governing race
of the world; and what though it had
its origin in the mountains of Scandi-
navia and under the dark shades of the
Druid wales of Britain, even then it had
the germs of greatness and a power
which Knocked at the strength of the
gates of Rome, and BUNDLED the pride
of civilized Europe before the American
continent was discovered. In the eStab-
lishment of governments it has been the
predominant race of the world, but it is
here in this Western hemisphere the
chief theater has been reserved for
display of the wondrOus power and vast
resources of the AnglO-Saxon race. The
American citizen is born unto birth
right of unprecedented value, and yet
it is lamentable fact that he is, for the
most part. Indifferent to his station.
What we want to do, as people, is
to take more time for the study aud dis
cuSSiOn of the duties Of citizenship. We
want to get together and talk it over
around our fresides and at our social
gatherings. 1t is ever an appropriate
topic. and always profitable one. In
the olden times, when the town meet
ing was the thing. and all the people
could come together at stated periods to
discuss matters pertaining to the well
fare of the community, the standard of
citizenship was much higher than than
it is to-day. Then it was the cobbler on
his bench was as familiar with the sci
ence of government, and understood
the practical needs of the hour, as well as
the man who ShOne in the senate. The
old town meeting is impracticable now
adayS, yet the value of personal confer
enee and an exchange of cOmmu-
nifty views on matters of public import
has not deprecated. The example set
by the Twilight club in introducing
practical topics for discussion, to be
participated in by gentlemen of the
community representing all the varied
industrial interests, is all the more COM
mendable because it is somewhat in
line of the Old-time town meeting. Per-
sons are pretty sure to become interested
in any subject that they discuss, and
the best way to get man interested in
a subject is to start him to talking
about it.
AS nation. we are rapidly drifting
away fro m the old landmarks, and with
out any apparent reason for it except
that the masses of the people have been
lulled into false sense of security, and
have permitted incompetent. and, in
some instances, treacherous pilots to
drive the vessel of state into dangerous
waters. 1t has all come of our indiffer-
ence to the duties of citizenship. In
moral forces are everywhere undermin-
ing our institutions. The land is being
seeded with dragons teeth, and plen-
tiful crop is growing up and being har-
vested. Breakers are not only ahead,
but all around us; and from the dark
ness which prevails over the face of the
moral, political and intellectual deep,
the cry goes up, ''What shall we do to
be Saved?" The answer is, let US come
together and have a more Intelligent
comprehension of our duties as Amer
lean citizens.