The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-11

Last Monday our Nation celebrated it's
emancipation from the British yoke. A
fortnight earlier it gladly joined in the
Victorian jubilee.
Here was no inconsistency. Patriotism
and worldwide humanitarianism are not
at variance. The highest type of citizen
ship is that which recognizes the father
hood of God and the brotherhood of
as above all; next comes loyalty to coun-
try. and, lastly, self-interest.
There are, then, three types of citizen
ship. Reversing the above order, let us
look at them. First, there is the citizen
who is in a country for what it will do for
him. He lives in 1t for what he can get out
of it. Selfish? OF course he is. Injurious?
Yes. Citizens Of this stamp are not much
interested in the principles for which our
country stands, nor are they greatly con-
cerned about it's future; they are. there
fore, living so sordidly and ALPHABETICALLY
that they are an element of weakness in
our land
This class of citizens includes immigrants
and native-born, running all the way from
the tramp TO the president of a corporation.
Not all immigrants are here merely to
make money enough to let them live COM
fortably the remainder of their days in the
to stay and help work out our destiny But
hordes are in our land simply for what
they can carry from it. They are invaders
and despoilers, even though they come
peacefully and depart silently. America
should welcome immigrants who come to
dts shores in the spirit and with the aims
of the Puritans of old, but it's doors ought
to be closed to all others, except visitors
And what shall we say of the native born
who are living in our midst with just as
sordid, selfish aims the self-seeking for
eigner? We must call them recreant to
their heritage and duties. We must rate
them among the very lowest type of Amer
leans; and we ought to regard every man.
be he rich or poor, as we regard the tramp
If he, like the tramp, is trying to get some
thing for nothing or seeking to gouge the
people.
The second type of citizen lives in coun-
try for what he can do for it. His ideal is
national glory. He is intent on exalting the
nation.
Men of this stamp are of nobler class.
Here we locate many statesmen, reformers
and patriots Here are many of the men
and women who have made their countries
great and permanent and lustrous. Citizens
of this type are like yeast, Preventative:
like SALT preservative. Their worth is
vast. No need of their country escapes
them, appeal from it falls upon deaf
ears, no chance for aggrandizng it slips
by unseized if they can grasp it, If the
town in which they live has necessities and
opportunities, they see them and respond
Their city neither slumbers nor Steps at the
foot of the steps CT progress if they can
help it, Is the country in peril? Does it
need men? This type of citizen is no skulk-
er. He is the first at the front and last to
leave the ranks. Do his neighbors put him
into a position of power. He uses every
ounce of it in their interest. Does the ma
tion call him to the highest office in it's
gift? He makes his presence in that office
felt round the world and quits it reluctant
ly II he has not succeeded in eXalting his
country. To citizens of this class we owe,
In part, the independence of our Republic
and it's present prestige.
But, after all, if this be the limit of
mans citizenship he is not the very highest
type Of citizen. For has he not then been
known in his zeal for exalting his own ma
ton exclusively, without regard to other
nations? atriotism-wonderful word that
1t is-may yet be coupled with selfshness
and cruelty. Men may love their own coun-
try too intensely and too narrowly for the
good of that larger Countrywide world
Therefore / maintain that there is a high
er kind Of devotion than devotion to ones
country. Think of devotion to ones race!
When you come across men whose lives
are governed and driven by this motive,
you come across the noblest citizens of any
land.
And these make up the third type of
citizen whom 1 will style as the citizen
VIII n fry vUb ha do
through it to uplift mankind.
These recognize that they must have a
country. They see that they cannot exert
themselves on the world if Aheir lives are
bohemian, nomadic, or lived in the sol-
tudes. They rejoice in having a country as
their native or adopted land, especially if
it is an aspiring and brotherly country.
But they also remember that they are, by
virtue of their origin and duties citizens
of the world. Their feeling has been voiced
for all time in the familiar, hearty declara-
ton of Terence: Il am a man, and nothing
that concerns human beings is Indifferent
to mep' Terence was a Roman. He deliv-
cred this immortal utterance a century and
a half before Christ was born. This senti-
ment, then, is ancient. 1t has breathed it
self into words and deeds in every time and
cline.
King Asoka, the Buddhist, voiced the cen
trail teaching of Buddha when he said:
There is no higher duty than to work
for the good of the whole world. Hitopa-
dessa Hindu, had the cosmopolitan spirit.
else he never had said: THE narrow
minded ask; Is this one of our tribe, or is
he stranger? But to those who are of a
noble disposition the whole world is but
one family"
This was the browning teaching of Jesus
Christ, who told the story of the good
Samaritan and taught that whoever did
the Will OF God was his brother and his
sister. This is the thought of every one
who has really caught the spirit of the
Nazarene. AS Fenelon exclaimed so does
every thorough-going patriot confess: Il
prefer my family to myself, my country
to my family, and the human race to my
country"
In this class Of men we locate the true
and honored Generators and leaders of
our race. To say this is to Indicate the
worth of this type of citizen. To their ma
tive or adopted land, are they not Of in
estimable value? Do they not make the
best patriots? They know that "just as he
who discharges faith fully his duties to
his family renders the greatest service To
his country; so, in devoting himself to his
duties as citizen of some one country. he
serves humanity"
Knowing this and believing it deeply
I. lie 1.