The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-18
GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

Ma UGH in the way OF cheer and encouragement
for all who interested in municipal
progress is to be found in the current NUM-
Der OF the Merchants Association Review which is
devoted mainly TO a report OF the speeches made at
the recent banquet OF the association by the president
w. F. Dohrmann, and such distinguished speakers as
Benjamin Ide Wheeler, David Starr Jordan, Mayor
Phelan, Arthur Rodgers and Professor Carl c. Pehn
OF the College OF Commerce 1t is true the speeches
were published in The Call at the time OF the ban
quet, but they are worth reading again and ap-
propriate both to the coming OF the year and to
the special elections in which the progress OF the city
is much involved.
The addresses OF the banquet dealt with many sub
jects but there one sentiment that bound them all
togeher-the sentiment OF civic and State patriotism
that impels men to plan and TO work for the general
good IN all lines OF endeavor President Dohrmann
well summed up the issues OF the time when he point
ed out that the successes attained by the Merchants
Association have been due TO the spirit OF good cit
zenshp 1t IS by the exercise of energies animated
by that spirit that We overcome every difficulty
that stands in the way OF municipal progress, and
solve every problem that confronts us
In describing what he meant by good citizenship
Mr. Dohrmann said: "A patriotism not alone for
our country at large the kind that grows hysteri
cal once every four years when II is question o:
sixteen TO one something OF that kind, not
the patriotism that becomes enthusiastic over wars
II is that modest home made home patriotism, that
sweeps and paves the streets, that goes down into
the sewers, that looks after our hospitals schools and
other public buildings. Il is the kind that gave us
selfconhdence, that might again have self-govern-
ment and home rule, that gave the charter;
the kind that will make deserve again to manage
our harbor; patriotism that stands upon a
higher point than the highest pinnacle OF party
politics"
In government OF the people by the people for
the people there IS at all times need OF good citi-
zenship In every American municipality in every
succeeding year there is issue OF progress or OF
reform which can be brought 10 a right conclusion
only by the exercise the part OF the majority OF
the people OF an intelligent patriotic public spirit
In this city and at this time the demand for that
kind OF citizenship is especially urgent for issues
which are to affect the welfare OF the community for
generations to come be submitted the voters
before the close OF the month.
Silurianism. fearful OF progress has taken the
alarm and stands in opposition to some OF the most
important OF the proposed measures for improve
ment. That opposition can be overcome only by the
Teldireoted energies OF taxpayers and conservative
citizens, in whom the people have confidence 1t IS
therefore, incumbent upon such men TO come to the
front and take part in the contest for progress Such
being the case the renewed publication OF the ban
quet addresses in the Merchants Association Review
fortunate from every point Of view as it will count
IN the issue before us as important campaign docu
ment on the side OF progress and improvement