The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-03-15

Every American citizen, says the
Picayune, has the right to vote for
public officials and representatives in
the law-making assemblies, and he
ought, therefore to take a large inter-
est In public affairs.
"But, unfortunately, too many Of
that class known as the best citizens
too often neglect their duties and turn
over the entire management OF public
affairs to Il set OF men who make mer-
chandlse Of them. Men who use the
power and perogative OF public office
in order to make money and to ad-
vance their own private interests are
the last to whom the care OF the ma
tion, the States or the cities shoul !
be entrusted. But too often these are
the men who gain control, and, when
they do so, it is because Of the willful
and wanton neglect of the so-called
best citizens.
What Is most needed Is patriotism
that love of country which forces
men to make sacrifices and to give a
certain amount of service freely and
heartily for the public good. There
are many men who are willing to take
up arms to fight for the country who
will not take the trouble and time
which are due to politics. Every eff.
fort, then. ought to be made to inspire
the people with proper sense OF their
public duties. 1t is debt that is due
and ought to be paid.
Another thing which is also equally
necessary is to instruct the people in
regard to tine duties of citizenship. 1t
is not enough for IA man to possess the
franchises, rights and privileges Of
citizenship. He ought to know that
all rights and privileges involve du.
ties. also, and it is Of the greatest i'm
portance that he should be taught
what Is expected ofa citizen. TO this
end the science OF politics should be
taught in every college, and the duties
of citizenship in every high school.
The American Institute of Civics, an
association OF writer's and lecturers on
political questions, is doing good work
in circulating publications on the
subject. =
Every youth who Is to be a voter
ought to be taught the use and value
of suffrage, by which an equal share
in the powers and responsibilities Of
government is devolved upon every
voter, making him a trustee, charged
with the sacred duty OF rightly en-
ployin1 the power contided to him.
Older students should be taught
that honest, wise and safe control OF
political matters in a community can
not be expected as result of blind
devotion to any political party; will
not. follow mere expressions OF dissat-
isfaction, or outbursts Of popular in
dignation but must be the result of
organized, persistent, unsellsh and
wisely directed effort to which shall
everywhere secure good government.
The only good citizenship is that
which will exert itself to secure de-
cency and cleanliness in party poll
tics, honesty and efficiency in public
office, reverence for law, social purity,
the highest welfare 0f the whole peO-
pie, and the steady march of popular
government towards the realization
of its nOblest ends, SO that honesty,
truth, Justice and prosperity may
dwell with all the people.
1t is well enough to teach the sci
ences, art and literature IN the
schools, but none of it is more imp0r-
tant than the practice and exercise of
good citizenship. For this reason
citizenship must be taught"
.