The record-union., 1896-01-17
A YOUNG MEMS CIVICO CLUB. "
A New and Valuable Organization
Formed Last Night.
The Study of Civics-Duty of the Oiti-
zen-Knowledge of the Principles
of Good Government.

The parlor of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association rooms was well filed
last evening despite the heavy storm
that prevailed, to consider the forma-
tion of civics club.
Those invited had been told that the
purpose was to effect an organization
similar to two or three hundred such at
the East, to conserve patriotism,
knowledge of the law, study of princi-
pies Of good government, the duty of the
citizen to the State and Nation, and of
these to him; that il was not to be politi-
cal, partisan, or affect creeds or political
liefs, but to follow something after the
plan of that old and patriotic organiza-
tion at the East known as the "Ameri-
can Institute of Civics.
At first, owing to the storm, it was
proposed to adjourn over a week, but it
was finally resolved TO go ahead. There
were then thirty-two persons present.
Mr.. Ekins called to order and stated the
object Of the meeting, and introduced
H. Weinstock as the first speaker, who
spoke at length and with much feeling,
and expressed his qualification that so
many young men had come out through
such storm to form such club, for
others present.
He set forth the blessings and privi-
Ieges of free government, and said that
he was an migrate who enjoyed these
favors and gave nothing in return. Our
fathers had faith enough in their sue
cessors to believe that they would pre-
serve the liberties and institutions
founded at such cost and sacrifice.
hi dirty cn1U nd
ligently is the highest Office of the citi
zen. If the citizen is ignorant Of his
duty and his privileges the State must
suffer and the Nation decay. The citi-
zen must have the courage to do his
duty also, and any formation that
would enlarge his intelligence upon the
principles OF National, State and mu-
nicipal governments would give him
courage.
This did not mean educating in party
politics or mingling party matters or
concerns, creeds or political beliefs.
The study of government rose above all
party questions. To educate young men
to better perform the duty of the citizen
and conserve the best interest of the
Nation, State and city is work he would
be proud to engage in.
est form of patriotism, he said, to
shoulder arms and 60 out to fight for
ones country But there is equally as
high or higher patriotism to be mani
tested in times of peace, and that is the
patriotism that inspires one to do his
whole duty as a citizen. Organizations
to further such an end are to be com
mended, that young men, the hope of
the country, may be more patriotic and
more clearly and sharply see their duty
and confess it.
Rev. DR.. Hoyt favored the organiza
ton of q club as stated. He sketched
rapidly the notable eras of civilization
in modern times, and presented some of
the questions that engage the minds of
thinking men to-day. Civil government
topics greatly interested him, and he
studied them diligently. He outlined
the era of manufacturing and pro-
nounced this era one of the problems of
distribution.
He sketched the influence that led to
the Grift of population into cities, not
wholly an evil, and dwelt somewhat
upon the urbanizing problem, and
whether Bryce is right in saying that
city government in America is a con-
spicuous failure" He doubted the ac-
curacy of that charge. He touched
upon the economies of city government,
comparing Boston and Birmingham,
for instance. Ignorance is the great
evil, he said Good men and women
are in the majority, but they do not all
know what goes on, nor all understand
the principles of good government, or
they would always prevail
The salvation of any government re-
sides in the intelligence of the young
men coming on to the stage of action
Instruct them as to the functions and
needs Of Government, their true reIa-
tien to Government, their duties and
privileges, and all will be we'll He
favored the proposed organization
warmly, but wanted it kept above the
level Of partisanism.
Another speaker spoke in a similar
strain, and told of the number of such
clubs in the Union and their relation to
the American Institute of Civics, which
embraces the best thought and most
earnest patriots of the day, and also
touching the amount of patriotic lit
erature Of an educating character that
such organizations send out
Mr.. Ekins said he was more and more
impressed with the value of such an ed
uoating and entertaining organization
as was proposed.
Mr.. Carmichael strongly commended
the proposition to organize. The young
men are too largely asleep. he feared.
and take too little interest in the study
of their Government, and in under
standing their liberties. duties and
privileges. He wanted the club to be
above local politics. 1t was not to be
club for any purpose except the con-
sideration of principles, not one to med
die in partisan contests or office-filling.
It had not to do with creed or political
faith. With that understanding, he
was wholly in sympathy with the move
ment
G. II. Dunn was called out and spoke
in a similar strain, and urged the for
nation of a civics club. He saw a great
field of good open to it. 1t can be made
greatly useful if kept a purely educa-
tional influence. It should serve as
Indictment to induce young men to
read and search for sound information
on governmental topics.
Reading and discussing papers in the
club would stimulate such other read
ing and research. Even the local mat
ter of who should supply a city with
water involves questions of profound
interest and educational value. and
could well engage thought and debate
Not all can go to the libraries; not all
can go over the enormous number of
publications of the day on such sub
jects. But selected articles can be
brought into the club and read and then
debated greatly to the enlargement of