The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-02

our own warn us tnut tie uSllutiOn VI
these problems will be especially acute
in the United States.
Good Citizenship Shield.
THESE facts make evident the neccs-
sity of good citizenship. 1t will guard
the republic against all perils, and it
alone will guard her. Personal right
cousness is the foundation stone of good
citizenship. The deep, abiding sense of
duty, the quickly responsive moral CON
science does what interest, ambition,
honor vainly attempt. Those who OBJ
serve the ten commandments break no
civil law. and their virtuous souls are
prompt to reply in action and Sacri-
flee to country's call. The nation seems
strong and prosperous, and the Senti-
nelS ON its OutpOsta repeat that no peril
is nigh. But if intempcranCe, impur-
ity. dishonesty dwell i'm the hearts of
its people its strength has departed and
the dark shadows of death are fast de-
scending upon it. 1t is Il true maxim
that republics live by virtue. Mon
arches and empires can count on ply
steal force. ON the wisdom and good
ness of the one or the few. Republics
are ruled by the many, and the virtue Of
the people IL their life.
Nation Like the individuals.
I NV ul' IlplllllN btStlS I,lllIllil
morality, and the latter always reacts
upon the former. The ethical code is
the same for governments as for in
dividual men. In its dealings with for
eign countries, or with its own citizens,
the nation or state, as well as the ndi-
vidual, is held to the sovereign law of
eternal justice, which is never violated
by high or low with impunity. Nox
populi, voX Del, it is said. The words
are true when the nation or state moves
within the orbit of the powers delegated
| to it by the supreme master, but that
orbit never exceeds the lines of right
| eOusness.
Without religion. the recognition of
a living God ruling men and nations,
the everlasting impersonation of right
eousncss, and it's avenger, morality is
vague in its enactmentS and weak in its
endorsements. This living God has for
| civilized nations His expression in the
| Christian faith. Wisely, indeed, in its
official rulings the government of Amer
| lea permits no union between itself and
church organizations. 1t is, however,
most fortunate for America that the
people hold by the deepest roots Of their
| being to God and Savior. The surest
hope of the republic is the undyng re-
| ligOuS spirit of the American people
|
music of its sacred bells, the incense
of its uplifting prayer, the quickening
of its divine teachings, and Americans
will be worthy of their liberties, and
the republic will endure.
Need of Popular Education.
Manhood suffrage demands as fit
ting preparation universal education.
| In saying these words | speak to Amer
| too ~, trit
ever, they leave room to give warning.
lest the education profusely dispensed
| to their children in schools and colleges
be only that of the mind, developing
in this faculty clevcrness of action,
| whether the purposes be good or i'll,
and not at the same time that of the
moral soul, from which must needs
come inspiration and practical guild
ance of life.
Il may also make the remark that in
| our schools and colleges scarcely suf-
ficient attention is given to instruction
in the nature and functions of a re-
publican government, in the duties of
citizenship, in the elements of political
economy Indeed when we consider
the needs of our present times, we must
regret that more general facilities for
| instruction in those specific matters are
not afforded to the masses of our adult
population. The fact is patent that
many evils which are now upon us,
disturbing the social and economic
world, arise far less from i'll will than
from ignorance. Demagogues preach
and buster; the masses heed them and
| hear no other teachers; cheap inCen-
diary prints fly around in all directions;
these are read, because none others are
at hand, and the results are: bad com
| Ha nd cnpia1 N,or
fare.
The Sanctity of the Ballot.
"The supreme act of citizenship is
the casting of the ballot. Ballot in
hand, the citizen is a sovereign
and with his fellow sovereigns he de-
cides the destiny of the republic. The
ballot is the pride of the true Amari-
can; its proper use is his sacred duty.
The American refusing to vote on cleo
ton day merits Acknowledgement, or
| exile; the American boasting of his poll
tical Incidence proclaims his shame.
Thoughtful writers mark as the most
perniciOus foe of democracy the in
difference toward the political life of
the country practiced by respectable,
well-meaning and educated citizens.
These are the ones who more generally
eschew politics, while others, the self
sh and the reckless who have private
ends to serve. who care but little what
comes of the country, are never absent
from the caucus or the voting booth.
am afraid some of us are not alto
gether free from the undemocratic feel
ing that we lose our self-respect If, on
election days, we mlngle on equal terms
with all social classes.
Honor the Election.
Ear from us be the feeling. When
we mngle with men as citizens we
mingle with noblemen; when we serve
country no matter when and where
we ennobe ourselves. / quote from a
late article in the Forum by one who
is n thorough American. Theodore
Roosevelt: 1T Is not the man who sits
by his fireside reading his evening pa.
per, and saying how bad our politics
and politicians are, who will ever dc
anything to save us; 1t Is the man who
goes out into the rough hurly-burly OF
the caucus the primary, and the politi
cal meeting. and there faces his fel
lows on equal terms.
"Among the misfortunes of America
| mention the caucus and the primary
by which q few are enabled to impose
upon a whole party their own choice o
candidates A royal work of patriot
ism Is to rid the country of them or $,
transform them that their verdict be IL
some manner the verdict of the party
and not merely, as 1t now is, that o.
the expert wire-pullers and slate-mak
ers.
"The political boss Is the outgrowti
of ignorant and vicious citizenship, anc
his reign fosters the low element!
: which make IT possible. What an insult I,
any class of American citizens tina
. | l, x,yh ihnir N,ntnc N,
make them the matter of vile bargain
ing! The work of the patriot Is so {,
elevate among the whole people tn,
standard of citizenship that none shal
permit malign agencies to innuenc,
, then i'm the exercise of the franchise
, and thus deprive them of their highes
, political freedom