West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-05-11
THE Citizen AND STATE.
Their Relations and Responsibility
To Each Other.
SOME SUGGESTIONS AND CAUSTIC
Comment With Critical Comparri-
sons On Current Conditions.
From a Special Contributor.

l will write few words upon this
topic, particularly because believ c
that il there are any people IN the
Union who have need to consider
the duties and TO meet the response.
billtles arising out of this relation
they arc the people of West Va .
a well known writer upon Democ-
racy in America has declared the
system OF local government to be
the training school OF American
patriotism. Here the people learn
liberty from its practical enjoyment,
and self control from the daily need
OF its exercise.
The State is Immediately and
constantly in contact with the life
of the citizen. 1t guards his person,
! protects his estate and defends his
religion. His business success de
pends largely upon its efficiency.
His standing and influence n
society are protected by its bull
warks. His good name abr Dad and
his happiness at home are alike the
objects of its unremitting care.
From the cradle to the grave it
takes his destiny into ITS keeping.
Ministers of God by its authority
ofliciate at the bridal altar and APP
pear again to perform the last sad
rites, when the dust returns to the
earth as it was and the spirit TO God
who gave it. 1t opens wide the
courts Of justice for the redress of
grievance and the vindication of
+ g hts. II regulates commerce
among its own people.
The acquisition and transfer of
property the imposition of taxes,
the collection OF revenue, the train
ing OF soldier the support OF the
impoverished, the care OF the un-
fortunate, the punishment of the
criminal arc alike within the scope
Of it's supervising authority. 1t is
mindful OF the latest commands Of
the citizen, and when he closes his
career it executes his testament,
and gives effect 10 his wishes in the
settlement Of his estate. 1t provides
for giving the people access to the
highest Of all rights, that of the bal.
lot, protects its exercise and en-.
forces its DEGREES. In every indi-
vidual enterprise 1t is present to
assist, to stimulate, to protect.
But within the last quarter of a cen
tury it has surrendered too much of
its all supervising authority to ssso-
ciated labor, capital and skill, TO
the end that natural advantages
might be vit4lzed and the wheels
OF progress kept in motion yet it is
the champion Of the untrampled
conscience; the defender Of every
faith.
1t sentincls with ceaseless vigi.
lance the mosque, the synagogue,
the cathedral h temple, the
church, the chapel and the grove,
challenging all who would intrude
or molest in its slcepless zeal for
freedom te worship God. II is the
patron Of genius and the generous
friend Of intellectual uccd. In the
remote recesses Of our mountains it
consecratcs the altars Of public
culture, making the unprctendng
communings Of the familiar country
schoolhou5e, a hallowed memory in
the minds Of men. and a potent in
0uence in the Development Of ma.
terial and intellectual supremacy.
Il builds, endows, cquips and sup
ports its grander temples, where
the minister and the professors Of a
higher philosophy than Athens ever
knew, and, whence issue yearly the
trained young manhood Of the com
rsonwealth advancing 20 the immor-
tai struggles and victories Of peace,
with a front which the Greek
might have directed 90 the stars.
and step which Imperial Rome
once disciplined to the march that
carried her eagles around tn G
world"
To the duties arising out of the
manifold relations ofciGzen and State
the patient and faithful attention
of the scholar mus, be directed. 70
little purpose docs The State recog.
nize The education Of her sons as
the guarantee Of their usefulness
and her perpc,1ity if those who are
best fitted for active duties Of citi-
zcnship arc TO be- distracted from
its care and to dwell apart from its
sphere. Not necessarily must the
hoIar become poiu.
clan in the partisan sense Of thc
] term a seeker Of Office an organizer