New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03
A CITIZENS DUTIES.
JUSTICE BREWERS LECTURES AT YALE
UNIVERSITY.

| ures. He has defined broadly and authorl-
| tatively the fundamental principles on which
! high and enlightened conception Of American
| citizenship must rest and he has developed with
cogent logic the reasons that impel the accept
| ance Of such principles by the educated men
| intrusted with guiding the course of this coun-
! try's destiny The five lectures here published
were delivered last year at Yale University upon
the foundation established by William E. Dodge
being the first to be delivered under it's pro-
visions. They form an emnenty dlgniled in
PRODUCTION for series that should before all
else be marked by. Clearness and force and a
high ideal of citizenship. Justice Brewer has
hit precisely the right note in these dtscourses
TO young men-that of a sterling common sense
and fine reasona bleness; and though he mod
esty dsavOws presenting anything more than
"a few plain. simple commonplace truths, he
has nevertheless reached the pith of the matter.
There five lectures in the series. In the
first Justice Brewer shows why the obligations
OF the American citizen are especially pressing,
This country has the greatest promise of a full
realization OF its ideals: ntrusts TO each man
the power to aid toward realizing them. and
there are dangers to which II Is exposed that
impose special responsibility upon men of en-
ligntenment and education. First and foremost
is the maintenance of good character, pr-
mary obligation OF every citizen. Justice
Brewer puts his finger upon a weak spot in the
national character when he insists upon the
continuing nature Of this obligation:
II is one Of the weaknesses Of our nature 20
desire to be rid entirely Of obligations or II not
rid entirely, to discharge them by single act.
We would be benevolent. charitable. but would
gladly give many dollars in a single sum II
thereby could cancel all our obligations IN
that direction. We would be religious. but how
many would fain limit their religion, like the
putting OF clean shirt and the wearing or
the best clothes. to Sunday? We all look for
ward hopefully to an entrance into heaven, hut
wish there was some kindly power VINO coulu
sell a ticket receive the price and end the
transaction at once.
Yet Justice Brewer holds the highest faith as
to the persistent integrity Of the American Peo-
pie, and puts in this little personal testimony:
have been thIrty-one years on the bench and
no one. directly or indirectly. by word OF mouth
letter or in any other way. ever proposed
suggested intimated that any decision l
might be called on 10 make would be for my
benefit pecunarily, politically, socially or other
wise. II I had had any desire to do wrong. l
should have had 10 seek some one 10 corrupt me
OF the obligation OF service Justice Brewer
has much that is wholesome to say. Certain
services are willingly rendered. though they are
none the less obligaton-those Of public Of
fee for instance-and he has never known an
instance of man being prosecuted for refusing
to accept the office of United States Senator;
nor need any man ''lie awake worrying about
accept the office Of Governor" The obligation
to service on jures s a different matter; but
the justice does not wonder that many are
sick when a jury list is summoned:
do not wonder that a business man seeks to
avoid its burdens. and hope that the time will
come when juror will be treated as though he
honest man, denied no more of the
comforts Of home than the judge himself. paid
that which IS honest compensation for his
time. and when the unanimity now required
,.,A- hi all n he
guard against undue influences upon one,
or to secure the kindly assistance of one-a una
nmty which is called for in scarcely any other
tribunal on the face Of the earth-shan give
way TO a system in which the concurrence OF "A
reasonable ma jOrity if the jurors shall determine
the verdict.
It is to the yielding OF intelligent service that
the college graduate especially is pledged; upon
him. in this respect, rests the highest response
bility; but unselnshness and conscientiOusness
are called for from him and from the humbest
alike Justice Brewer has no doubt of the out
come; nor does he rest his faith on any saw
ing remnant" The great body of the American
people are alive to the sOlemnity of this obliga-
ton. No less has he high confidence in the
innate desire of obedience to laws which is an
other of his primary obligations of citizenship.
With all the intimidation in strikes and the
violence of lynch law that hear of there is
an obedience yielded that is neither cowardly
nor selfish, but sprngng from conviction of
duty.
Finally, Justice Brewer discusses the more in
tangible duty of striving for the better life of
the nation. one clear purpose Of every life
should he to help in making the nation better.
There is much to do, and conscientious men
will differ: courage and candor are both needed.
Party organizations will sometimes hamper,
and, though Justice Brewer is believer in
action through party organization. he grants
Vieyht
fully break away from party. In the course of
these essays he has not departed from funda-
mental truths; but they are truths that must
remain valid in the minds of all enlightened
citizens He has enforced them with a ripe wis
dom and the influence Of long experience.