The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-15
AMERICAN
 CITIZENSHIP MT. Cleveland Speaks in
 Chicago. HE OFFERED A SOLUTION Something as a Remedy for Corrupt Politics. sive the People Purpose That Will Stimulate Them to Unite in Lofty Endeavor For the
 Country.
HE OFFERED A SOLUTION

Chicago, Oct 14-"Give to our people something that will concentl ate tn -ir common affection and solicitous care, ana let that be their country's good; give them a purpose that stimulates them 10 unite in lofty endeavor. and let that puF- pose be a demonstrat.on on of the enciency and beneficence of our popular rule' This was the solution offered by former President Grover Cleveland as It meoy for corrupt politics, in a speech before the members of the Commercial Club at tnelr annual banquet given at the Auditorium Hotel Annex tonight. The subject dls- cussed by MT. Cleveland was Anne ican Good Citizenship" He received an en- thusiastic reception by the 200 banqueters when he appeared at the speakers taoie'
 His paper in full follows:
 I am certain that it is not necessary 10 assure you of the pleasure 1t affords me to meet the members of the Commercial Club of Chicago. You must know, as we'll as if you were told thousand times, that it is not in human nature to be less than delighted by your open handed hospitality and hearty greeting. l do not know that my pleasure IS at all diminished by the fact that l have reached you only after repeated inabil- ity to accept prior invitations, since am
 
 that my failures to accept your hospi- tality in the past have not fatigued your courtesy and friendship. Indeed, l nope my frankness will be excused when say that my complete enjoyment is alloyed at this moment only by the chills ana uuakes of speech making. Even In tnls predicament. I find comfort in the thought that the ordeal will soon be over; and I have reached sort Of peace full composure by steeling myself against my own embarrassment and your disap- pointment.
 As I understand my situation, I am under bonds to keep the peace, If possi- bic, by eschewing politics in the tew words I shall speak tonight: and hope I may fulfill the condition of my bond and avoid disturbing those most sus- picious of, my conduct if I deal with that old, old topic, American good citi- xenship.
 There is danger that my subject is so familiar and 50 trite as to lack interest. This does not necessarily result rom want of appreciation of the importance of good citizenship. nor from denial or the duty resting upon every American to be a good citizen There Is. however, abroad in our land self-satisfled and per functory notion that we do all that is re- ouired of us in this direction when we make profession of our faith in the creed of good citizenship and abstain from the commission of palpably unpatriotic sins. This belief Is inevitably the parent of a sort of seII-righteous contentment, which leads us on quite well under the direction of those who make political ac5 tiyity their occupation. For ourselves, we are good, quiet. respectable and inof- fensive citizens; and We are not politi- clans We ought not to be badgered and annoyed by the preaching and exhorta- Cnt men, who continually urge upon us the duty of active and affirmative participa- tion in public affairs, who should we be charged with neglect of political obli eation? we go to the polls on election day. when not too busy with other things. and vote the ticket our party managers have prepared for us. Some times when conditions grow to be so had politically, that a revival or stirring up becomes necessary, goodly number of us actually devote considerable time and effort to better the situation. Of course we cannot do this always. be- cause we must not neglect money-get- ting and the promotion of great enter prises which, as everybody knows are inc evidences of a nations prosperity and influence. A great many people and a great deal of time are necessary to pa triotically care for these things; and somehow it is more peasant to promote the countrys good and at the same time our own financial prospects, in this way. than by habitually meddling in political operations.
 A Comparison.
 It seems to me that within our citi- Eenship there are many whose disposi- tions and characteristics very, muc4. re- semble those quite often found in the membership of our churches. In their membership there is a considerable pro- portion composed of those, who, having made profession of their faith and joined the church, appear to think their duty done when they live honestly, attend worship regularly and contribute liberal Iy to church support. In complacent sat isfaction. and certain of their respectO- bility they do not care to hear sermon izing concerning the sinfulness of hu- man nature, or the wrath to come: and If haply they are sometimes reused by the truths of vital Christianity, they soon relapse again to their tranquil and easy condition of listleSsness.
 A description of these, found in the Holy Writ. may f1tly apply to many in the State. as well as in the church:
 For If any be a nearer of the word and not a doer, he Is like unto a man be- holding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was"
 There Is an habitual associate of Amer lean civic indifference and listlessness. which reinforces their malign tendencies and adds tremendously to the dangers that threaten our body polite. This as- sociate plays the roll of a smooth, insn- uating confidence operator Clothed in the garb of immutable faith in the invul- perability of our national greatness, it invites our admiring gaze to the flight of the American Eagle. and assures us that no tempestuous weather can ever tire his wing. Thus many good and hon est men are approached through their patriotic trust in our free institutions and immense national resources, and are inslduously led to condition of mind which will not permit them to harbor the uncomfortable thought that any omis- sion on their part can check American progress. or endanger our country's con tinued development. Have we not lived as a nation more than a century; and have we not exhibited growth and achievement in every direction. that dis