The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-02
ASKED men
To Be TRUE
CITIZENS

Upon an invitation extended TO him by
tho state Young Peoples Christian union
OF the Uniyersallst church. Gov. George
ii. Utter addressed a large audience OF
people from various sections OF the state
AT the First Cnversalist church in East
Providence Sunday evening. taking as the
subject OF his address Good citizenship"
The service of the evening began at 7
O'Clock and was opened by the pastor Of
the church. Rev. III, Brown Tho Scrip
ture reading was by Rev. Mr.. Goodon.
pastor OF the United Congregational
church OF East Providence.
At the conclusion OF the Scripture read
Ing Rev. MIR Brown introduced His Ex-
cellency Gov Utter who said in part:
"One OF the first questions which we
should remember and answer is, What is
citizership?' Many feel II is a thing which
belongs 10 them IL Is a conferred right.
however. Certain things we cali citizen
ship, but the one we consider most IL
where we exercise col tain privileges In be-
half OF others. This Is a conferred trust.
our laws are Yery strict In every day life
regarding the handling OF matters Of
trust. We hear and read OF instances
where individuals betray these trusts
and they are loolteI down upon and con-
demned for so doing on the other hand
tr'Ns trust as a citizen? He should be.
"A man who denies woman the right
10 cast her ballot takes upon himself
added responsibility. ! do not want you
TO suppose for a moment that l am an
advocate OF woman's suffrage but
simply make this statement to show the
extra duty which man has resting upon
him Every man who goes 10 the ballot
box on election day owes something more
than simply to himself. Citizenship has
its responsibilities. There are three
ways. however. in which II may he
shirked The first of these ls the attempt
10 dodge the payment OF a tax, and this
10 my mind Is a serious matter. Ii Is
thing which every man owes 10 his
town or city To willingly pay a tax.
have no regard whatever for the tax
dodger ~, a good citizen.
Another thing which every citizen
owes as responsibility OF a true citizen
is sympathy and support OF those I'm office
We are all much more apt TO criticise
than TO help, but TO my mind most OF the
men In public office generally feel upon
them the responsibility OF what they are
called upon to do. and they try to the
best OF their ability to perform these
tasks for the public welfare.
The third responsibility resting upon
n true citizen IL the willingness 10 serve
in public office. Many men when ap-
proached ana asked 10 run Tor public
office will say that they are too busy
with private matters and cannot. Be
cause OF this reason. IL is not often pos
sible to secure tho best men for tho
positions ! think, however, that man
owes II TO the public to give at least
some Of has time To the publics interest
Good citizenship ia trust. as / have said
before.
Good citizenship begins in our own
ar-J 10 ,a 90 ln
state. and extends even 10 the nation.
] wish to impress this fact upon you, In
closing, and hope that the few remarks
which | have made will at least revive
in your minds some ideas OF citizenship
which may have been lying dormant"
At the close OF the evenings service.
Gov. Utter held a brief reception at the
front OF the church many going forward
TO shake his hand and thank him for his
address.