Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-05-09
THE DUTY OF CITIZENSHIP.

its people as u own, and no
country is so dependent upon
them.
Our country After God, we
are indebted to it for all things,
and, after Him, to it is due our
sovereign allegiance. Time, labor,
wealth, life, family-we lose
sight of all when country de-
mands sacrifice from US.
A government of the people,
by the peopl4 and for the peo-
pie, as proposed by the founders
of the republic, was, truly in
deed, in the light of the facts of
history, a stupendous expert
ment, The experiment has so
far succeeded. What shall be
her future, her own citizens will
say: their citizenship decides her
lot.
What America demands from
her sons is good citizenship.
What Americans owe to their
country is good citizenship, this,
and this alone will save the re
public.
The foundations Of good citi-
zenship r morality, religion
and intelligence. Said George
Washington in his farewell ad-
dresss: "Of all the dispositions
and habits which lead to political
prosperity, religion and morality
are Indispensable supports. In
vain would that man claim the
tribute of patriotism who should
labor to subvert these great pill
lars of human happiness, these
frmest props Of the duties Of
men and citizens. # Il =
Whatever may be conceded to
the influence of refined education
on minds of peculiar structure,
reason and experience both for
bid US to expect that national
morality can prevail in exclusion
of religious principles. y : y
Promote as an object of primary
Importance institutions for the
general diffusion of knowledge.
In proportion as the structure Of
a government gives force to pub
lie opinion, it is essential that
public opinion should be enlight-
ened."
Republics live from the right
enousness of the people. Mon
arches and empires can count on
physical force, on the wisdom
and goodness Of the one or the
few. Republics are ruled by the
many and the virtues of the
many is their reliance. The per
sonal righteousness of the citi
zen, the deep, abiding sense o.
duty, the quickly responsive
moral conscience does what in
terest, ambition, honor vainly at
tempt. Those who observe the
""Ten Commandments" break NJ
civil law, and their virtuous souls
are prompt to respond in action
and sacrifice to country's call
The nation seems strong anc
prosperous, and the sentinels OF
it's outposts repeat that no peri
is nigh; but if intemperance, i'm
purity, dishonesty dwell in tn
hearts of it's people, its strengtl
has departed and the dark shad
ows Of death are fast descendin;
upon it.
Private morality begets nation
al morality, and the latter Away
reacts upon the former, Th
ethical code is the same for gov
ernments and for Individual mer
In it's dealings with foreign cour
tries, or with it's own citizens
the nation or State, as well-a
the individual, is held to tn
sovereign law of Eternal Justice
which is never violated by hig
or low with impunity. Tor pop~
voc Del, it is said. The word
are true when the nation or stat
moves within the orbit of til
powers delegated to it by til
Supreme Master, but that orb
never exceeds the lines of RICH
eousness.
Without religion, the recogn:
ton of a living God ruling me
and nations, the everlasting in
personation of righteousness an
it's avenger, morality is vague
it's enactments and weak in i
endorsements. This living Go
has for civilized nations His e:
preston in the Christian faitl
Wisely, indeed, in its official ru
ings, the government of Anne
lea permits no union between i
self and church organization
It is. however, most fortuna