The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-05-03


ture of it, demands of each and
( \ every citizen consideration or
civic matters. 1t is not enough
that the citizen goes 20 the polls
and casts his ballot. He has other and
equally imports mt duties to perform; du-
ties that become Imperative with the
growth of municipalities. counties, states
and the nation
A republic differs erCm monarchy IN
SO far that it holds unto itself all the
powers of government, and does not deie-
gate power to a class or a set OF classes
Our government theoretically and prac-
tcally abides by the win of the people
and legislative enactments and executive
acts are merely the expression OF that
will That this expression of the peoples
will be not controlled by ssif-appoiHted,
dominant or governing class, 1t Is neceS
sary that every citizen discharge III iuii
his duty a either
Our government may be compared to a
series of circles Each a eoverh nent IN
itself, and each fitting within another.
The greatest circle is the nation next
the state. next the county, next the city.
Thus the citizen should bear in mind MS
duty to nation, state. county ana mum
cipality for the reason that an expression
of his opinion is annually registered IN
his ballot 1t affects government. whether
it be a vote for alderman or president
Government can never rise h't.hsr tit'i'
the average of intelligence. Reforms may
come and reforms may go, but At no
time can government risa higher than the
average excellence Of the governed. II
operates precisely upon th' St'i"e Pili,~'
pie stream that can iiSS i'' Si't''
than its source. :,
Our form of government not only IN
yites the cit liens to express ms opl"ioii
on matters affecting it but virtually com
rns,nds him TO participate in formuiatihs
the questions that are to be Subnltttu 10
the voters. In the State of New YORK
and in many other states statutes nave
been enacted to enable citizens to par
ticipate under the protection of law IN
the discussion of party measures anu III
the selection of candidates FOR ONCE.
These rights. under the primary law
should be seized upon by all young men.
They are basic Every election district
is entitled to it's representation IN all
assembly district conventions, and any
Young man who desires to exercise MS
ripht as A citizen can very readily acquire
influence by soliciting the support or nus
fellow citizens in his own election dis
trict.
There is a tendency among citizens, who
pride themselves upon being good citi-
Zens' because they live within the pre-
ciucts of moral and statutory laws, 10
abstain from politics. They hold u pom,
tician" in very light esteem TheSe Wen
meaning persons would give their lives.
their sons and their treasure to the de-
Tense of the flag. and pride themselves on
their pat riotism; but, II they. renect,
they must see that by Sinking their duty
al citizens. by not fully discharglng their
obligations to government they are sur
rendering their country. state ana nation
rule for power or peIf- No opprobrium
would attach to the term politician III
every citizen discharged his whole duty.
The Constitution of the United States,
and of the state. implies that every
man fully understands the significance
of his vote, and his right to elect men
to elective Offices Indeed. it may be
said the Inference is that all citizens are
politicians. that is, men familiar with
political questions and measures, and
active in incorporating them into the
laws
Our young men. the first voters OF to-
day will be in surprising short time
the veterans of many campaigns. Great
questions arise, must be discussed and
determined They will continue to come
and continue to go. They must be met
by the men of the times in which they
arise 1t is, therefore, of the greatest
Importance that young men should STUDY
| state and national questions. enter po-
! utical life and begin by exercising their
| personal influence in their own election
| districts. And party leaders should en-
| courage these young men In great city
/ like New York there are thouSanoS OF
| young men, the sons of naturalized cit
| liens, who have passed through our pup
| lie schools, attained honorable positions
| in the commercial ard industrial world,
| and who are in every sense Americans TO
! the core. They should enter the arena
| of political life and grapple with party
| questions. They should meet these aues-
tions with intelligence and they should
| take active interest in party organiza-
| lions. There can then be but one out
| come-a stronger and better government,
whether it be municipal, county, state or
| national
1t Is anti-human.