Evening star., 1903-07-04
The Day and the Citizen.

Washington celebrates independence day
with somewhat of the old spirit of COM
punity observance There has thus far
been a strikingly impressive parade OF reg
ulars and volunteer soldiers and pupnc
meeting on the White House grounds with
stirring and significant speeches by repre-
sentatives of the District government. tne
national government and the government OF
France our best friend in the war OF the
revolution. Tonight there will be a display
Of fireworks to finish off the occasion and
send everybody home feeling in tune with
the spirit of 10.
1t Is to be hoped that these observances
will bring the people closer to the funda-
mental thought of the Fourth than do the
miscellaneous Individual holiday-maklng
actions which have grown of late years into
almost a positive disregard of the day.
There is a vital meaning In all that Is done
and said in the name of the nation and its
birthday There Is a serious need or
close study of the duties Of citizenship. as
shaped by the modern conditions There
should be a yearly introspection on the
mart of every member of the republic to as
certain whether there has been any falling
off from that sacrificing, public spirited.
devoted attitude which was taken by the
Independence.
Those men dared to do that which placed
them in jeopardy of their lives. Theirs was
no valiant deed of war. no spectacular
heroism 1t was the essence of good citf-
zenship which animated them In their er-
fort to establish the principle of liberty IN
the colonies. They with others had striven
for years peacefully to adjust the relations
between England and the colonies to the
end of Just administration. Separation was
only a last resort and even when publicly
broached it was viewed a dubious expe-
dent. 1t seemed impossible that the colo
nists could Withstand the war power OF
England But in the face Of probable de-
feat and ultimate punishment. those men
In Philadelphia 1T years ago took the
irrevocable step which placed them ana
their fellow colonists beyond the breast
works of English rule.
The republic seems to be founded on the
rocks to endure for all time. Its marvellous
prosperity has caused it to become one OF
the wonders of the world There would TO-
day appear to be no reason to look Tor
failure or a falling off from the standards
of government, the scale of public 1ntell1-
gence or the measure of material success.
But that presumption will become GER
tajnty If every citizen shapes his course
according to the beacon lights established
by the founders of the nation. takes his
inspiration from the Declaration. supports
the Constitution in every particular Of his
life and does his full duty toward the gov
ernment, whether in the ranks of public n-
private life. There Is some danger today,
just there always has been and perhaps
always will be, that self-interest and shcrt-
sighted avarice will lead some men-but not
the most of men-to acts inimical to the
welfare of the community. Their folly Is
not less apparent than their faithlessnsss.
They are tapping the foundations, and even
IL they escape safely from any collapse
which they may cause, they are lessening
the chances of posterity to enjoy the full
benefits of the governments strength and
endurance.
Secretary Moody. speaking today as the
Presidents proxy at the meeting on the
White House grounds. voiced this sent-
ment in terms which have a striking Sig
nificance in view of peculation and corrup-
tion recently uncovered in public places.
He spoke for thorough cleansing of The
foul corners and the punishment of all
these who have thus polluted the service.
The government will live and grow greater
than ever If this spirit prevails. 1t will fall
into decadence If it is succeeded by a list
less Indifference on the part of the individ.
ual citizens toward the general welfare.
Those ffty-six signers who proclaimed
liberty and independence from England
July 4, 1T76 had individuals strong
motives for remaining aloof from such
dangerous enterprise. But as members OF
the community. leaders of thought. as
representatives of the interests Of the poo
pie at large. they could not adopt the per-
sonal position. In minor matters every
citizen is today confronted with the same
duty to the nation. There must be no
shirking. no letting down. no compromise
with dishonor. There is only one standard
of honest. patriotic citizenship.