Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-03-28
TEST OF CIVIC VIRTUE.

At the Union League Club banquet
in New York on the 22nd of last Feb
ruary, Hon. VIM. J. Bryan. the bril-.
liant Representative of Kansas in Con
gress, spoke of the highest test of civic
virtue as follows =
patriotism is defined as love of
country, and is everywhere recognized
as the highest civic virtue. Sad, in
deed, would be the lot of this genera
ton if loyalty could be proved only in
the service of Mars. Peace hath her
Victories and not her victories only,
but her responsibilities as well. Does
it not require as much devotion to dis
charge with constant and conscien
tious care the daily tasks of the citizen
as it does to carry musket? Does it
not require as much self sacrifice to
list all of ones property for taxation as
it does to enlist in the army? Does it
not require as much patriotism to serve
ones country we'll in the election booth
as it does to march to the strains of
martial music? Does it not require as
much fortitude to place civil duty
above private business, and the com
mon veal above party advantage, as it
does to command company? Does
sist the siege of lobby as it does to
capture city?
"There is a growing disposition to
avoid jury service, and all manner of
excuses are given by those who find it
inconvenient to leave their work. But
this sacrifice is not a matter of conve-
nience, it is a matter of necessity. If
men plead press of business as reason
for Sinking this duty. let them remem
Der that large business interests are
only safe under good government.
How many, like Naaman, the leper,
stand ready to do some great thing for
their country, but despise those hum
bier duties which make civil liberty
possible. Another danger which we
have to meet is corruption in official
life. The boodler is abroad in the
land, and the evidences of his handi
work are too often apparent. He is as
dangerous to the welfare of the cOun
try as an army with banners, and as
insidious as he is dangerous. We can
not depend entirely upon criminal
courts to remedy this evil, for guilt
NAV exist in the absence of legal proof
sufficient to overcome all reasonable
doubt. Public opinion. that ever
potent force in popular government
must hold to strict accountability
those who are temporarily trusted with:
authority. Mr., Jefferson has wis+i.
said: Confidence is everywhere tbs
parent of despotislL-tree government
is founded in jealousy. not in cont
dence;' and it may be added, the in
difference of the citizen is the oppnr
tunity OF the knave.
'If we were asked to name the great
est danger which threatens our politi
cal life as nation, what danger would
we point out? Not protection or free
trade-a patriotic people will rid them
selves of either, if bad; not a gold, Il
silver or paper standard-a patriotic
people will settle the money question
according to the best interests of ALL
not extravaganza or stinginess in ap
propriations-a patriotic people will
support their government with sut1i
cient liberality and will, in time, check
unnecessary expenditure; not State
sovereignty Or the Capitalization OF
power-a patriotic people will wisely
limit the authority of the general and
legal governments. These are all great
questions and may we'll occupy the
best thought of the country, and chal
lenge the serious consideration of both
citizen and official; but there is a ques
ton which is higher deeper and broad
err than any or all of these: Will the
citizen be as patriotic when he sits
beneath the olive branch of peace as
when he follows the eagles of war 7
The man who is too good to take part
in politics is not good enough to de
serve the blessings of a free govern
ment. Suffrage is given to the citizen,
not merely as personal privilege, but
as public trust, and should be exer-
cised as such. The man who tries to
10 &c fn ho foa ad
than the man who is not interested
enough to vote once. The few who
control primaries in the interest of the
machine are scarcely more to be
blamed than the many who, by re
naming away, not only permit. but
invite, Misrepresentation.
mot only is there prevalent disre
gard of political duties, but parents
are often more solicitous about leaving
fortune to their children than they
are about training them for the re
sponsibilities of citizenship. If the
political world is full of impurity, the
son should be prepared to purity it, for
in it he must live whether it be foul or
clean. 1t was the boast of the Roman
matron that she was able to rear strong
and courageous sons for the battle
field; let it be the glory of American
mothers that they are able to send
forth, to do battle for humanity, brave
and manly sons who can mingle in
politics without contamination. and
serve their country without dishonor."
when 1 was young man." said Jonathan
Gray,
IF a fellow took physic he knew it, you bet
1t wonld cramp him all up in a collicky way.
And, good Lord what twisting his insides
would get
But the pills in now days by sensible folks
Are as easy to take and as pleasant as jokes >
OF course, the kind referred to by
Mr.. Gray was DR. Pierces Pleasant
Pellets, the very best Liver Pill ever
made-inild, but sure and effective
The only pills, sold by druggists, dbso
lUtely on trial! Satisfaction guaran-
teed, or your money is returned.
The umblest critter on this erth is a
indivijule lookin' fer an offs and
wantin' it bad.