Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-30

dress OF the commencement exercises
OF the Lawrenceyile, N. j., school,
His subject was GOOD Citizenship"
and be- spoke as follows:
:" In casting about for INFECT it
has seemed to me that cannot do bet.
ter thnn to utilize the short time may
properly consume by making few Oh.
servations concerning true American
citizenship and the obligations it I'M
pnses upon every one entitled 10 share
It's honor and privileges.
American citizenship means more
than any other citizenship, not only
because it lives and flourishes beneath
the protection OF the frsest and best
institutions in the world, but because
It has the perpetuity and success of
those institutions absolutely in its
keeping ami control.
Our government 10 not and never
was under outside propietorship which
would determine or set limits to our
rights OF occupancy. American clifton
ship has built its own habitation and
Is the tenant of no superior.
ut must, however, be plainly an
parent that this independence in the
enjoyment of privileges is not all that
IL involved in our relations to the
W. NAbhNlg Gdlt OuT uWn.
As one who ia the owner Of the house
in which he lives cannot look to
another for its care and preservation,
80 American citi2 enship assumes the
responsibility of maintaining unaltered
and unimpaired the government which
shelters it and which has thus far been
Its protection against wind and storm,
A Just apprehension of the seriousness
OF this responsibility ia the test of true
American citizenship.
In order that the duty and re-
sponsibility We owe our government
may be fully appreciated and faithfully
discharged it is vitality necessary fer
US to be convinced that we cannot
delegate to others the work required of
US. Each individual must with his
own hands do his share. In this way
our government was built. and IN this
way only can it he kept in fit con.
oition for tho habitati0n of free Ameri-
cans. 1t therefore follows that no one
can lay claim in proper sense to true
American citizenship who does NOT
interest himself in matter pertaining to
our government, who does not inform
himself al to it designs and PURPOSES,
or who ia not willing by actual inter.
ference to guard it against omen attack.
OF course this interest and inter-
vention in public affairs are worse than
useless unless they are entered upon in
proper spirit aud with a proper mo.
tive. No one increases his claim to
good citizenship who interests himself
In public affairs for purely selfish pur-
poses and to accomplish personal snds.
man may acquire knowlege of tho
principles OF our government and use
mis- knowledge to misead, and the pre-.
fence of devotion to these principles
may mask nothing better than the adj
vocacy of blind and mischevious parti.
sanship.
If such things constitute a pood
citlzenship, Wa might congratulate our
country, for we have them in abund-
ance.
DEFINITION OF TRUE CITIZENSHIP,
lnasmucf, however, al they ara
really evils which sadly alllict and en-
danger us, 1t ia of the utmost import
ance that there should be Infused into
our body polite the counteractina
remedy of true patriotic or unselfisb
American citizenship. This grows out
of love of our government for it's own
sake and for what it does for every citi-
zens. 1t III thoughtful and intelligent
and has clear understanding of the
doctrines upon which our government
rests; it reioices in American tradi-
tione; it glories in American obiscts
and purposes and ia proudly oontented
With the accepted mission of the United
States among the nations of the earth.
The existence of the highest tyne
OF American citizenship depends
largely, of course. upon the cultivation
oil the best and must patriotic senti.
ment among our people. 1t is, never
thaless, true that it depends TO an
equal, ii not greater, degree upon g
constant steadiness OF sound American
Judgment and an uncompromising abil.
ity among our citizens to resist tenn
tation.
The American people are tempted
every day and every hour to abandon
their accustomed way and enter upon a
course of new and strange adventure,
Never before in our history have We
been hsset with temptations 10 danger
GUS as those which now whisper in our
ears alluring words OF conquest und ok
panHion and point out to ua fields
bright with the glory of war.
once saw very useful book, emit
tled 'Don't'. II contained statement
of numerous things which should mo-
be done. am inclined to adopt th,
plan of this book to tho extent OF eau
tioning you against the imperfect idea
OF civic duties and warn you apaips
certain dangers which threaten tho
soundnesH and safety OF true Anericpr
citizenship and which especially at thi
particular time seem to lie in wait foI
US on every side.
At the outset, beg you never [,
harbor the thought that no active MIR
ticipation IN political affairs is incon
sistent with the largest possible degrat
of culture and education. hone vol
will not stop short Of tho hiphest etlu
cational requirements within Won
reach, and that in the meantime 30,
Wall also cultivate sincere sympath,
with your allow-countrymen in ever,
walk OF life. With these and prope
appreciation of your obligations to you
government, you will be in possession
OF perfectly natural and cunsisten
preparation for the best citizepsbi,
and will find that the most advanced
education will neither be damaged moi
furnished by contact with political con
Germs.
:" 1t is absolutely certain that wa art
10 need Of Teinforcements in the rank,
OF good citizenship. II is no less GER
tain that our schools and colleges can.
IN large measure. supply the necessary
help. II through the Indifference or
refusal Of our educated men it be not
forthcoming, the fault that lies ut their
doors ia Little less than criminal.
PATRIOTISM, NOT BELLTcosE.
Since patriotism undorlies good
citizenship you should avoid miscon.
ceptiOn OF moaning of this word I
helieve there is somatimes a tepdennv
to think patriotism is something belli.
case and defiant, best ILLUSTRATED Uy