The Marshall republican., 1909-10-08
Individual Influence.
Contributed

lnulNluudl CltlItHbn.pt men tAt-
cised in the interest OF good gov
ernment, is one OF the most potent
factors, I'M establishing the square
deal between the people of al!
classes. AS individual citizens we
are not justified in making war on
everything that does nos suit our
fancy. But we are justified in put
ting up a strong fight against ;hat
which has proven to be detriment-
al to the public good.
When the laws are being violated
causing injustice 70 the people of
a community state or nation, 1t is
then time Tor the individual cit!-
zen I'd be heard, and especially
! should it be SO, in che making and
enforcing our laws.
Those who do not want certain
laws enforced, sell us chat thu in
dividual ci izan should m.nl his
own business and To- Srouble him
self about the enforcement of thu
| laws, th2y do not seem to realize,
| that in a free government like
ours, ii is the business OF every
| good citizen, 20 use his influence
TO" the enforcemen OF the laws,
and those who do NOS use their in
i~lrcnce for The enforcement of the
laws, aro undesirable citizens.
When we sec that laws are about
TO be enacted that will be detrimen
tai to the public good, or laws that
are for the public good are about
to be defeated, it is time for every
law abiding citizen to speak right
out in meeting.
We should let our represcn itives
know and That with no uncertain
sound, that it will not do to impose
on the people by enacting unwhole
some laws, or by defeating Jaws
that. are for the public good. 1t
is not always the duty OF the citi-
zen It'd act as a spy or informer,
against those who violate the law,
but 1t is his duty to know whether
or not the laws are enforced.
We have officers whose duty it
is to see that the laws r enforced
and it is also their duty to make
reasonable effort TO secure evil
dence to convict those who violate
the laws. If the officers neglect or
fail to enforce the laws, it then be-
comes the duty OF all good citizens
to exercise their influence i'm a way
that will compel them 60 enforce
the laws or give place to these who
will.
II is natural for people to desire
to be thought we'll of, and many OF
US shrink from criticism but thosa
who stand for the enforcement OF
all the laws, may expect to be crit-
icised, by those who do not want
certain laws enforced. The desire
to stand approved of our fellow
men Is a laudable ambition, for we
know that those who have no de-
sire for the esteem of their fellow
men are as a rule of little worth,
yet it will not do to sacrifice every
thing, on the alter OF appreciation
when p. intip!e is at stake we should
stand firm even though We are
criticised by those who mean well
and yet for popularity trample
principle under their feet.
An optimistic view of life is
right, and it is our duty to look on
the bright side of things as much
as possible without neglecting our
duty to God and our fellowmen,
Notwithstanding all this we are not
always to look on the bright side,
regardless OF what is going on, on
the dark side. If we put in all our
time admiring the bright side, the
devil will be getting In his work
on the dark side.
All the devil asks is that the peo-
pie be blind to what he is doing.
Graft only asks so be let alone,
The trusts and combines in re-
straint OF trade only ask to be let
alone? Gambling only asks to be
let alone. The saloon only asks ia
be let alone. Letting them alone
has not only given them seed time.
but they are gathering an immense
ha ruodt