La Junta tribune., 1911-12-16


Of the people are almost
- wholly absorbed In their
own private affairs. There are great
numbers who are always concerned
about public affairs for their own
personal reasons; yet there are al.
ways some people--an increasing mul
,itude-who are patriotic enough to
b. deeply concerned
bbou, public affairs
because they seek the
best good OF their fel.
low men. II has become u necessary
condition. In order TO have oven Il
passably well-regulat"d country. that
the interest In public affairs should
be- widespread and that II should be
kept as intelligent and as unselfish
as possible Modern life imposes on
everybody the duty OF good citizen.
ship. Good citizenship In the full
sense requires a constant concern
abou, public matters. Such con.
cern must take some part OF "A mans
time. II good citizens are not will
ing to give time To public affairs
for tn" sake OF wise aud efficient
government. II is certain enough tina,
a more selfish class OF citizens will
seize III. opportunity to control
public affairs for private advantage.
In England popular progress has had
10 fight tn. aristocratic and ruling
elements. IN order to change gov
crnmoni for the benefit OF special
classes TO government for the wei.
States. where We have no special
classes. the result OF negligence al.
ways is TO put governmental affairs
under the control of NofessioBal poll.
,iclans who manage things for their
own pecuuiary gain There is no
country In the world where the rights
and liberties OF the individual citi.
zen are safe unless he and his fel-
lows are prepared TO fight for them.
not only ON election day but on every
other day In tho year In some Re-
spects. at this moment American
liberty Is less secure than Turkish
or Russian
There are times when almost cy-
crybpdy ,cScopt the greedy bonoflci.
arissl becomes very tired OF politics.
Millions Of citizens wish that govern.
mental affairs might become 50 ad-
ju-ted and settled that they could
b. forgotten Tor while. Must W..
they ask themselves, be forever dis
cussinE tn, tariff. the trusts. IN"
problems OF state aud municipal ad-
a. miuisiration. and the
'"'',> other inslztcnt qucs-
,.,"s..,, lions OF politics aud
'e'o'f,''p human soclctys The
only proper answer IL In the affirm.
atyc Popular responsibility for
the general welfare has been assumed.
And there il no way. now, by which
responsibility can be- shifted from the
people 10 set OF ordained rulers,
without disaster and loss that would
b. felt by every one. The only
thing morally possible Is TO build up
the Intelligence and quality of citr
xeUship. 10 give democracy its scope:
10 let the people see clearly that
they must gain or lose In accordance
with their own decisions There are
times when confusion seems TO pre-
vail in public affairs, and Wh"n there
Is no leadership Of clear value or
high authority among those set IN
public places II happens that this
Is the case Just now la the United
states Hut this is no calamity, our
citizens must think not follow. There
was never at any time In this coun
try better diffusion OF Intelligence.
So there Ia no reason for discourage
ment The coun'ry's problems will
ha," To be- threshed gu, by IN. toint
effort OF many minds II Is plain
enough now that there can be- no
other way. The day Of dominant per.
sonai leadership II at an end. Po.
iii al salvation canno, com. In tina,
way, Roosevelt, stirred the country
brilliantly and wonderfully. In the
sense OF afoasins II to It's own duties
of effor, and courage and honesty In
gov.rnmcnt-all tho way from the
school district up TO IN" work of
congress and the national administra
tion. Hut Roosevelt f"i, that rs