The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-06-27
IA SANER
| CITIZENSHIP.
WHY EVIL TOO OFTEN TRl-
UMPHS OVER THE GOODIN
POLITICS AND GOV
ERNMENT.
IA SOLD AND THOUGHTFUL ADDRESS.

4 SOLD AND THOUGHTFUL ADDRESS.
Appeal for Independent Party Thought
And Action-The Best Elements Of So
ciety Should 20 Into the Primaries and
Conversations and Overcome Evil or Have
The Courage to Vote Right 1t the Polls
The recent commencement exer-
cises in the state at all Of the col
leges were noticeable for the live,
thoughtful and forceful addresses
which they brought forth. Our at
has been called to an address
Of Mr.. Frank s. Garden, Of the
class of Trinity College.
Without attempting to dissect the
address and point out the parts
which We would especially emphaize
or the parts which we might qualify
editorially, we publish it in full
without comment. To say the least
1t is worthy of being read and con.
sidered. 1t is as follows:
''It is a glorious privilege to be
alive in this the first year Of the
twentieth century, and it is high
and responsible position to be a
citizen of the greatest republic in
the world; to live within the bounds
of these United States just ut the
time in which all the currents of a
new life are pouring in upon US.
There Is nothing greater than to live
in and love great and just republic.
There never Was q time in which
there was as much to inspire the
patriotism Of American manhood as
there is today, and there never will
be an age in which the hungering
cry of a nation for a stronger, purer
and braver citizenship will be more
distinctly heard than that yearning
plea which should reach the mind
and heart Of every honest and loyal
American.
The highest type Of patriotism is
demanded; not one whose existence
is thoughtlessly averred and reck-
lessly proved; but a patriotism which
burns and glows in every deed and
in every action, one which is not a
mere expression of love, but love
itself.
There is false conception of
patriotism abroad in the world. Let
the drum sound and let some n. en-
scent the smell of powder and they
at once become brimful of love for
their country. Stump orators ex-
pound upon the greatness and power
of the nation; young men don uni
forms, shoulder guns, and the peo-
pie are ablaze with fervor and ex-
citement. The soldier is looked
upon as the highest type of patriot
because he has been willing to lay
down his life for his country. Now,
no one will depreciate the soldier
and his principles, but there are
nObler principles and higher degrees
Of patriotism than those which in
spired the breast of your sleeping
soldier.
There come times when a com
monwealth is gravely threatened
not by armies and navies, but by
the silent and stealtly forces of sir
and corruption. Then it is tha
volunteers are needed by the thous
ands-and the uniform to be donnet
is honesty of purpose and lnteltig
ence and the weapon to be used il
the ballot box, under the guidance
of deep insight into the demand
of good government and justice. W.
do not have to wait for opportnnitie
of war in order to render service t,
our country. Every breath w
breathe, every moment we live an,
every day which passes over ou
heads is teaming with rich ant
golden opportunities of renderin,
true and unselfish service to ou
country. More life and not death
more men and fewer graves, NOR
work and less talk build up an
maintain noble history, a grea
people, and strong government
Laying the fruits of obscure toll an
earnest thought upon the alter G
service is much richer and NOR
acceptable sacrifice than the last re
drops of an ebbing life. That ma
who puts more of his life and bein
into the life of . his country show
for it the deepest love, renders to
the highest service, and gets out {
it the greatest benefit. The Unite
States is something vague, indefinit
and lifeless to too many of her ci
izens. They do not understand hi
problems; they do not feel the pulls
tions of her throbbing heart; an
they do not recognize that they al
a necessary and vital part of q gre'
and living whale.
There is q false idea prevalent tn,
, ofice-holding is the requisite f
) service and the badge of patriotism
, that cffce-holders are the only on
f who have any vital connection wit
> the government. This idea has bee
deadening in its influence and d
] grading in its effect upon our poll
! ical life. The life of q nation Is Il
t life of her citizenship, or it Is not
i. ing at all; the strength and Il
t purity Of q government is the OF
Q growth Of the purity and the homes
o of the manhood Of her citizens,
) else it is weakness. The resp0n
bility Of republics welfare rei
: not so much upon the ofice-holde
g IS upon the rank and f1le. III
q sham and hypocracy are found I
el where to be q greater extent tn
- iuSr.O1ificc. that dpy1apnuIl0 and uar