Telegram-herald., 1890-07-09

PoLITICs
We dislike % hear person animad-
yertlng against politics n general, and
whenever We hear, as We Often DO, an
individual declare that ne does rot
care for politics, We can not help thlnk-
ing that he : inadvertently advertising
70 the world, that he does not fully
understand what MS citizenship means,
and does not comprehend rs entire
duties and responsibilities. Are those
wao speak against politics. and those
who say they care nothing for the
same, aware Of the import OF the sitna-
ton IN which they place themselves
Do they fully understand the definition
OF the term, II they did. we hard
ly think they would be heard express
Ing themselves as they do. Webstsrs
definition OF the term IS quite extended.
and would be instructive for the per
sons mentioned 20 consider. Taking
the risk OF being thought too prolIx.
We Will give bis definition OF politics, IN
us higher sense, IL full. He says, poll
tics Is, ''the science of government; that
part OF ethics which has To do with the
regulation and government of a nation
or state, the preservation of It's safety,
peace and prosperity; the defence
Of its existence and rights against
foreign control or conquest, the aug
mentatlon of rs strength and resources,
and the protection OF its citizens in
their rights, with the preservation and
improvement of their morals" What
Is there IN this, that person should
animadvert against, and, measured by
this definition, would a sensible person
still desire 10 say he cares nothing for
politics? Is there anything degrading
IN the science of government. or in the
ethics which has to do with the regula-
ton and government of nation or
state, or in the preservation of its safe
ty, peace or prosperity? Are the de-
fence of its existence and rights against
foreign control or conquest, the aug
mentation of It's strength and resources,
and the protection of its citizens in their
rights, with the preservation and i'm
provement Of their morals, subjects be-
meath the notice OF one who thinks well
of himself, or has the good of his fellow
men at heart? The fact is men do not
stop to think when they so deliver
| themselves, and in many cases their re-
mIssness does not stop with uttering
such expressions, bat they act in &C
cord with their expressions, entirely ig-
norlng their duties as citizens. Good gov
ernment, good morals, yes, good religion,
are the handmaidens of one another,
and one will hardly exist where either
OF the others is wanting. Notonly do we
deprecate such expressions on account
Of the individuals making the same,
but because of their influence upon
others, and especially upon those just
coming upon the stage Of action,
to whom the people have a right to
look for participation in the affairs of
| government. In q government like
ours, where the people themselves are
| the government, and have the power to
make It either q curse or blessing.
any one endowed with citizenship owes
it as duty to his fellow citizens to ex-
ercise all the rights, and to take al the
responsibilities OF that citizenship. He
cannot refrain from the exercise of
those rights, or fail TO take all such re-
sponsibillties, without being derelict
both TO ms fellow citizens and TO the
government. Citizenship, with all It's
attributes, is not an absolute, inalien-
able right, which a person possesses,
but 1t Is a privilege conferred, and,
when conferred, there comes a cores
pondent duty upon the part of one
having such citizenship to exercise all
the rights and take all the responsible
ties thereof. This is a duty which ne
owes to his fellow citizens and his gov
ernment, and OF which he cannot di-
vest himself.
Nor can he hold the same IN abey-
ance, to be exercised at his pleasure,
but, having the same, he must dis
charge it under all circumstances, like
any other duty IN life, if he is to stand
fully acquitted of the charge of duty
unperformed. The sooner this princi-
pie IS thoroughly comprehended and
acted upon the better 1t Will be for the
people and the government.