The Lafayette gazette., 1902-02-08
DUTY OF THE CITIZEN
Sensible Words Uttered by
Charles Janvier of New
Orleans

..It will generally be found that the citi
zen who holds himself aloof from practica
politics is much given 10 supercilious crit
cism of his neighbor who earnestly strives a
all times, by the force of Precept and ex
ample, to further the cause Of good govern
ment. How often have you not heard the
term politician used an uncomplimeniary ary
epitbet and usually with a sneer, by people
who do not stop to consider that if there
were politicians. represent alive govern.
ment would be impossible? Why is i, tha,
politics should be deemed essentially degrad-
ing, and that the man who is much in poll.
tics should be regarded with suspicion?
''There have been politicians who have
been corrupt, and unless human nature un-
dergoes radical transformation, there will
continue to be for all time to come politi-
clans with itching palms, who will indulge
in picking and stealing whenever the occa-
sion invites, and the danger of detection is
not imminent. Then, for that matt r, should
the term business man. lawyer or
doctor, or professor or 'bank PRESIDENT
or underwater be one of reproach simply
because in each of these professions call
ings there have been dishonest men, and
that undoubtedly there will be many in the
future? Assuredly not.
''Then why should the politician alone be
decr,ed and the profession of politics alone
be denied the consideration and treatment
given to all the others?
els it because its ranks are less largely
recruited from the drawing rooms of polite
society that from those elements in the COM
munIty which 40 not come in active contact
with polite society, and whose virtue, from
that fact, polite society has gotten into the
bad habit of undertaking, even to the point
of questioning its existence?
'1nstead of holding aloof, for fear of soil
ing its dainty hands, polite educated society
should energetically address itself to the
task of elevating profession which is IN
itself and honorable one, and upon whose
honest and efficient conduct the safety of
society depends
''As has been truthfully and forcibly said
by another; the thing we have most to fear
is not the depravity and criminality which
are rampant, but the decency which is
languid and the respectaDility that is indif-
ferent.'
''Polite and educated society should exer-
else a potent influence for good in the ad-
ministration of government, but it only
do in an effective manner by actively
in practical politics. Its re-
fusal or failure to do so not only puts its
own safety in jeopardy, but threatens the
welfare of the whole community by re-
moving from the conduct of government one |
Of the elements most essential to its success |
ga patriot IS a man who loves his coun- |
try all the time and stands ready to serve |
her, not only in time of war, but during the |
piping times of peace as we'll.
stTrue patriotism does not consist in |
'pasmodic ebullition, however clustering or
however profuse. 1t is neither hystercal |
Tor feverish. but is the contrary a firm
md calm virtue that cannot be stirred from
IS steadiness of purpose either by the carp
ng criticisms of the skeptical or the con-
emPtuous sneers of the CYNICAL