The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-06
satisfying. Good citizenghip is thus a

satisfying. Good citizenship is thus a
living, growing, aggressive, practical
force which everywhere makes for
righteousness and good government
That citizenship says Francis Bacon
in his Modern Philosophy, which is not
based upon Christianity is big with ele-
ments of its own destruction Good
citizenship is thus based. Its top root
runs way down into Christianity. The
same inexhauStible life that feeds the
one, feeds and sustains the other. So
true is this that outside of Christian
countries there has never been any such
thing known as good citizenship. Good
citizenship is a branch of Christianity
working Its way out through different
political parties and organizations into
the real life Of the community. Chris
tianity teaches that between this life
and that to come there is no break, no
Interruption The same life which the
individual lives here sweeps right on,
and up, and out into the eternities. If
that life be good here it will be good
there If it partalxes of the divine nature
today, it will partake of the divine
nature forever and forever. Good citt-
ZenShip recognizes this, believes it and
acts upon it. A man is a man whether
he be clothed in purple or in rags;
whether he sits on a. throne or on an
ash heap. Character not tapestry;
conscience, not gold. make the man.
1t is thus that good citizenship, like
Christianity, emphasizes the value of
the individual. He is a man, a human
being, made in Gods image, dependent
upon GOQ, accountable TO Goa, ana Cap
able of working in time what will last
through eternity. Contrast this su-
blime conception of what a. man is
with the despot's opinion of men. Men
once said Napoleon the Great, are hogs
who feed on gold; throw them gold
and lead wherever I will
Napoleon is not the only political
leader who has entertained low and
most grovelling conceptions of his fell
loW-men. Look around US. Study the
political maneuVeringS of the different
political parties and see the schemes
they are just now connecting by which
they hope to win votes. In some cases
they will use the party lash, in others
they will appeal to the most SOrdid mo-
tives wherewith men are actuated, go
ing so far as to ask man to sell his
vote for a. few paltry cents, or glass
of beer.
Instead of resorting to anything so
low and vulgar as this in order to &C
compliSh its purposes, good citizenship
appeals to the highest motives. 1t APP
peals to every mans sense of right, hon
or, justice, manhood The depth and
strength of this appeal are indicated on
all sides in just laws, established order,
a strong, gentle government under which
men are constantly lifted up into loft1er
and cleaner conceptions, not only of their
own possibilities. but also of the digni-
ty, value and Importance of our own ma
tionality.
This is one of the greatest needs of
the hour. AS American citizens, we all
need a keener appreciation of the real
value of our national life and privileges
What life it is? How free and rich
and full of all kinds of blessings Good
citizenship recognizes this. and in every
way needs to bring it out and emphasize
it. Governments, it contends, are for the
good of the people, and not the people
for the pleasure and profit of the govern
ment.
MANY modern politicians have lost
sight of this vital truth. They exalt
party success above everything else, for
getting that nothing is safe politically
that is wrong morally
Good citizenship is Christian citizen
ship, not in the sense that it seeks or