The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-17
THE SUNDAY-ScHO0h.
Thoughts for June II, 1897.
By Rev. J. 5. LEMON. Phi. D.
Subject. Quite. of American Citizens.

youth, IelAtlUE 20 N3tlODA aualrS Is tEey
should be looked at by Christians may give to
our celebration of the birth of our country
more intelligent consciousness Of what the
Nation is and what the celebration of our In
dependence means.
We should be grateful for our heritage. Is
is not right TO enjoy all our governmental
privileges without recalling to memory the he
ross who went before us. and who made possible
our independency and liberty. Let as sppreci-
ate our glorious inheritance. A comparison. in
many respects Of our country with others in
spires IN US great favoritism for our own. This
is right. We ought not to take as matter Of
course the possessions put into our hands at the
sacrifice Of our forefathers. II is becoming We
feel intense consciousness of gratitude.
Youths should study the Constitution OF the
United States That document ought to be-
taught in the earlier departments of our public
school system. Only 10 per cent. Of our popu-
latiOD ever get beyond grammar school educa-
ton. II they fail to learn of our National
Constitution during those primary days, the
probability is that, in most instances, the nine
tenths of our youth will be ignorant of the
vital principles of our governmental system.
In plain, elementary way the general features
of our form of Government should be taught
to the young.
CITIZENSHIP AND PoLIrIcs.
Every citizen of our country should know
the position of each political party as to the
civil and moral questions that affect our lard.
be cannot read all matter printed on such sub
Jects, but he can examine carefully the features
of the several parties expressed briefly in
the platforms issued by the respective sides.
We ought to become conversant with the
current National topics-ths great questions Of
the day. Enyironment determines to a large
degree our courses of action. We should know
our status.
Learn TO be law-abiding. The principle OF
our land is that the majority shall rule.
There IS no place for anarchy. Never should
mob be tolerated. The expression lyneh-lav
is an error. Law Is regular. patient, SYSTEM
attic, gives no place to blind rage, allows
wrath to subsids while reason asserts itself.
The habit of obedience must be enforced by
parents, taught by the Sunday school, Illus
trated by every citizen IL is . fundamental
principle. No one so keeps the law as the Law
Maker-God. Our universe would crash if law
lost its hold.
Be willing to bear responsibilities as to Gov
eminent. Hold Office If necessary. Many best
citizens refuse to take civil positions requiring
time and in some cases, sacrifices. If Office
seeking be unworthy the most capable it does
not follow that Office holding is bemeaning. 1t
is not below the dignity of any man to take in
terest in politics. That On which cme,
Church. State depend so much should receive
some of the best thoughts of MOST accomplished
and moral Citizens.
RESPONSIBILITY OF CIVIL OFFICERS.
Select officers judiciously. Let the idea be
not a availability, but ability. IL is serious
duty to enact law, and the execution of law de-
mands most excellent Judgment and rectitude.
Vote. Voting ia an act requiring reason.
Back of every ballot should be intelligence.
One should not be thing . vote, but .
rational actor, voter. 1t is a fact that many
of our most prominent citizens habituslly
neglect to go to the polls to vote. Some claim,
in the interest of our country, that voting
should be compulsory. Others think citizens
should be disfranehised if they omit several
times to cast their ballots. Kansas City in
ficts a tax of $3.50 for failure to vote and adds
the amount to the tax bill. By Athenian law
citizen was condemned to death q second
failure TO vote. Joseph Hay, of Boston. who
died 1890, aged 100 years. failed but twice to
cast his ballot, from his 2ist to his 9oth year
of age-once he was sick, at the other time
abroad. See john Whittiers poem, The Poor
Voter on Election Day." Not TO vote was con-
sidered by the Athenians a betrayal of ones
country. Such indifference, it was thought,
showed lack of concern for the National well
fare, and the man was considered dangerous
person. one to be gotten rid of even by death.
Be willing to support the Government. Do
not refuse your fair share toward meeting the
public expenses. The payment of taxes is the
sharing in the maintenance of our country.
STAND BY THE REPUBLIC.
Fight for our country. Do this not only for
our own sake, but for the good Of the world.
1t will be sad failure If We find ourselves I'M
able to maintain this Republic. Let Us give to
the world the example of that form of Govern
ment most in the interest of all the governed.
| Every citizen should be willing to defend his
country against enemies, to fight for it, TO die
for il il emergency require.
| Stop political scandal. citizen fears nomi-
/, nation to Office lest the newspapers may az
once attack his character, magnify his pecu-
| liarities slrmise host of discounting facts.
/ As soon as a mans name is suggested for an
| important Office, he becomes q suspicious char
| acter.
| Pray for all our officers. This duty is
| plainly taught in Gods Word. Some churches
have special forms of prayer for all those who
| are in authority. Til, 2:1-3.
Be loyal. Taine said that Englshmen sup
port stand by, their Government-will not
tolerate any levity at its expense; but French
| men submit to their Government. Any citizen
| is excusable for feeling intense pride in our
country, and for feeling offended at any one
who passes an unfair criticism our Nation.
| Be patriotic-not paytriotic. Bismarck's
| first duel was fought with an Englishman who
| was so impertinent az TO speak disrespectfulIy
1 of the petty states of Germany. st. Paul al
\ ways prided himself on being Roman citizen.
4 Keep Flag Day, celebrate July Fourth.
] Be Christians cultivate al the moral quail
| ties Aristotle said that "the end of the state
| is not only to live bu. to live nobly." We have
| been taught that we should DO willing to die for
our country-we ought to be glad to live for
| our country.
| WHAT Our COUNTRY MEANS.
DR.. Savage. the famous preacher of Boston
and New York, once uttered the following wise
words: 1--WE have developed here in America
what every philosophical thinker recognizes as
| the grandest principle of Government the world
ever saw-the principle of Federal Govern
| ment If we are wise we shall SO manage our
| affairs that in time the oyershadowing infu-
ence of this country will compel peace through
out the continent of Europe, the countries Of
| which, being compelled to keep up with rs
in industrial affairs, will be compelled to adopt
peace. Thus we shall best help on human de-
| veiopment by making ourselves the grandsst
| the noblest and the most successful people on
the face of the earth. We have already az
tanned in principle, and are going on to attain
in reality, the highest and best results of an
ideal Government. And We only need to put
our principles into practice to establish here an
ideal government of God among men. Oul
first dntv is to APPRECIATE the inheritance upon