Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-15

right with enthusiasm anu IeSu'"
every caucus or primary election of their
| party?
Citizenship involves privileges ana
duties. We enjoy the privileges, and we
are transgressors Of the divine law, ans.
and are moral towards, if not worse, IL
| we neglect our responsibilities and duties
We hear great deal now and again
about men voting as they pray. The man
| who merely prays and votes will never ac-
emplish much for liberty, justice ana
good government, some one has said. IL
| is useless TO ask God to do what we can do
ourselves. Politically, He works through
human instrumentalities.
2 Good citizenship is an intelligent
citizenship.
Just to be an Americon citizen is the
Hottest honor that can come to any one on
this globe; and to be an intelligent Amer
lean citizen is the highest duty of modern
civilization. Ignorance Of any sort, in these
days, is a crime. Ignorance of our CIVIC
duties certainly must be high treason.
Lessons in citizenship should be given
at the knee of the mother, and continued
throughout an entire educational scheme,
which should eliminate In the training OF
men and women to be patriots.
3. Good citizenship is aggressive citizen
ship.
Something more than good intentions
and right motives and intelligence are
needed to make a good citizen. Very
much of the trouble in the world is caused
by people who mean we'll, who have good
intentions, but who do not put their in
tentions into execution.
Aggressive citizenship will see to it that
no man, be he native born or foreign born,
be he high or low, rich or poor can possess
the ballot who does not read in the Eng
fish tongue the constitution of the United
States. and who is not able to pass a
creditable examination therein. No privi-
lege is more exalted than that Of citizen
ship in America, and no one should enjoy
that exalted privilege who cannot pass a
creditable examination.
4. Good citizenship is united citizenship.
That is to say, it is not individualStic;
but it is otheristic. 1t does not act alone,
without regard to others, but seeks to
affiliate with other good citizens, Paul
says "Stand in one spirit, with one soul
together contending." That means that
we should be united in our civic affairs
tlldt tllc pOOt bc ulllttN
the bad; it means, indeed, civic organiza-
ton of the good. And there is tremendous
power in organization. The bad are both
cowardly in spirit and inferior in mum
bcrs.
g. Good citizenship is fearless citizen
ship
DR.. S. T. Smith then read his original
poem, previously read in the other tent.
The service closed with bencdiction.
In Tent Endcavor, Musical Director
Rice led the opening hymns; then Rev. B
Z. Hamilton of Boston offered prayer and
President Clarke introduced Rev. Dr.
Nehemiah Boynton of Boston to preside.
de asked for the grandest Chatauqua
greeting the world ever saw to the veneer
tble DR.. Smith, wac was to read his poem
written for the occasion.
Fully 5000 handkcrchicfs waved aloft
making magnificent spectacle In Il
clear voice DIR. Smith read his poem II
was followed by chorus selection, and the
address of Mayor Curtis on american
Citizenship"
Mayor Curtis Address.
Mayor Curtis was received with con
sinued manifestations of approval and
said among other things: The watchword
If the present day is municipal reform. Ii
s the grandcst watchword of modern
lines. Over all our great cities, too long
given to political dcbauchcry, is sweeping
lrcviving breeze.
1t brings with it the healing of the
people. Upon its wings is born the cheer
ng news that your society is making one
If its tests of true Christian character q
'ympathy with this great movement in
political life.
To make the world better is the chief
object of your organization. 1t is true
5hat its aim is to elevate mankind mainly
through Christian work; but at no point
10 the orbits of the religious and the secu-
lar so nearly coincide as at this point Of
true citizenehip.