New-York tribune., 1899-06-21
MANS DUTY TO THE STATE.
GOVERNORS SPEECH TO SCHOOL chill
DREN ON GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

GOVERNORS SPEECH TO SCHOOL chill
DREN ON GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
Ithaca. \. Y. June 20-Governor Roosevelt
was entertained this afternoon by committee
from the Ithaca Business Mems Association.
and when he was driven to Dewitt Park he was
greeted by an immense throng Of people. Ar
ranged about the speakers stand were crowds
of Ithaca school children bearing American
flags In opening his remarks Governor Roose-
Welt addressed the children particularly, and
said in part:
'I am glad TO receive this warm greeting from
the school children of this city. and am proud
10 see YOU marching under the folds OF the
American fag a custom which has now properly
become almost an nseparable part OF our pub
lc- school system. The young should be taught
to feel a thrill whenever they behold the
emblem OF their country, and to comprehehu
the full meaning OF the starry banner.
Turning to the topic OF good citizenship, Gov
ernor Roosevelt remarked that the term implied
not only strict honesty In matters OF state put
meant also probity and uprightness In private
life He said that good citizenship began at
home. and that man who was not good
father. a good husband and upright In his pusi-
ness affairs could aspire TO good, nonest
citizenship He impressed it upon his hearers
that the duty Of each man In the state and IN
the country was doing his own duty carefully
and honestly and dsinterestedly no matter how
small his share.
'If YOU have 10 vote do il as becomes man."
said the Governor.
Again addressing the younger part Of his au-
dience the speaker urged them to DO each
small duty with care and never to finch be-
cause that duty demanded in its performance
exercise of self restraint and perhaps involved
expOsa to danger.
without courage all other virtues avaii little
Be courageous in the performance OF your duty'
whatever it may be. and you are sure TO sue
ceed"
The speaker then related several anecuo'eS Vi
tho recent war. and drew from them the lesson
that while often the performance OF duty 10 'he
state is distasteful. yet never to finch. When
Colonel Roosevelt's regiment was In Cuoa there
was not only fighting to be done, but arduous
and tedious duties OF camp life as well. ana ne
remarked that he was glad to see that the col
lege men in his nmand were not those 10
shrink from even menial duties. In speaking
of Ithaca the Governor remarked that New
York State had three capitals: New-York. COM
mercial capital; Albany, executive capital, and
ithaca educational capital"
He spoke in glowing terms Of the patriotism
which had been displayed by the Intelligent
classes of American people In the late war; and
said that he had no sympathy with those hys-
terical outbursts OF patriotism which Is not pa
triotism." He said that patriotism did not con-
sist in mere display of eloquence but meant that
good steady performance Of ones duty whether
In time of In time OF peace. There Is no
citizen in this State who has not his share OF
State work to perform, and strict honesty and
courage were as essential in the performance OF
smaller as we'll as Of more responsible duties.
In closing Governor Roosevelt again advised
the exercise OF strict honesty and sobriety In all
matters public and private, and said that II a
man exercised these and possessed with them
courage and good common-sense he could not
be other than a good citizen.
After the address Governor Roosevelt met
number of the prominent business men or the
city and reviewed the procession OF school chill
dren as they passed the speakers stand. Then,
In company with the committee, he enjoyed
trip on Cayuga Lake. returning to the city at
o'clock.