The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1910-08-10
THE GOOD
CITIZEN.

worth the time it will take you
to read it:
There may be diversity of
o,;nion as TO the characteristics
~ Good citizen--the qualities
necessarv to make him, but TO
NV mind. ne is a man rigidly
bcnest. strictly truthful, obedi-
ont 10 the laws-one whose llv-
mo conforms TO an active con-
science and measures up to the
IDEALS of a useful, honorable /
life
T do not know, nor can l Inn /
sgine any place in business, or
;n nolitical life, but such a man |
should fill. An honest man in
business is indispensable and so
much so that few succeed who |
do not enjoy the confidence of
the public. even though endow-
"a with extraordinary ability.
The right thinking man, the
one who has due regard for the
welfare of others, who applies
the Golden Rule IN his business,
Is the one that the great bulk
Of the people delight 10 see pros
per. In other words, the obliga-
mons of good citizen IN the
business world are so import
ant. so necessary to the welfare
If his own interests and the
good of others that no one
would attempt 70 discredit him.
AS civilization has advanced
and Christian virtues extended, 4,
the trend of public living has
likewise kept pace and points
more and more toward the
Golden Rule, appreciated by all
and endorsed by the upright in
every avenue OF business. The
more is known the higher esti-
mate is placed on good conduct;
the broader the knowledge of
mans relation 20 man, the more
thoroughly upright living, good
citizenship is endorsed and gen
timely appreciated as applied &c
the varied realms of business
life. No man has any moral
right 10 take an undue advan
tage of his fellOwman. Oul
laws are supposed 10 be founded
ON the principles that establish
ed and maintain justice, tha
encourage right living and dis
courage evil. Within the las
few years more evidence of thu
+ worth of good citizenship anC
more disapproval of the unde
sirable and bad has been evl
dence. than for many year
preceding. Not only is this tru
in the ordinary affairs of busi
ness. but profoundly SO IN tn
political life of the country
The political obligations of
good citizen is as important an
as far reaching toward justic
as is his private, persona
pledges that can not be forfeit
h ed without dishOnOr. Tru
manhood revolts against dis
honorable methods in bushes
+ and the Investigations an
Fl prosecutions by our natiOn'
Il officials and the officials of di
ferent States and cities TO maiI
d tain Justice and punish tho:
who betray public trust, is wic
E spread and meeting the a
proval of a large majority
B the people. The duty of a goC
B citizen politically, is not
merely see his party emDle
when he votes, not TO endor
and defend any means al
measures that may be deem'
essential to party success, b
! to stand against fraud and f
4 such men as will, in his jud
n ment, give the best TO the pu
he. There are some who b
Il lleve that success necessari
= depends on unholy schemt
who will stoop TO the depth
any disreptable method 90
= an advantage, whether IN bu
ness or political affairs, but fl
tunately the number represer
very small per cent. OF
population. Throughout the {
tire country the tendency
ward better political livi
seems to be pressing its impo
ance on the good citizens a
the stronger this sentiment