The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-17


 the captured ships, issued proclamation of neutrality and re- quested France t6 recall their ann bassador. This was done, but Genest was afraid to return report his va garies to the French Directorate. He remained here and became a natur- a1ized citizen of the United States. With the passing of years, his great natural abilities enabled him to over. come the foo1ishness of youth, he was but twenty-eight when he came to this country. He married the daughter of George Clinton, Governor of New York, and after her death the daughter. of MT. Osgood, the first Postmaster General of the Cabinet of Washington. He lived until 1884 valuable and respected citizen
 It is a matter of common knowl- edge that Washington received no personal pecuniary return for his ser vices during the revolutionary war, but only a few Know that he received ed States. At the end of his second term, he perenptorilly declined third nomination, gladly relinquish- ing office and authority, and retired to private life to enjoy the ndepen- dence of his Mount Vernon home. In =1z98 war with France was imminent. Our ministers sent to negotiate trea-
  by the gentlemen of theS directorate with the demand of a loan of $6 AOO,- 900 for the Republic and bonus of s$25O, 900 for the directory themselves. The American envoys Charles Coles worth Linckney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry Spurned the offer. The French issued decree subjecting all neutral vessels to search on the high seas and to confiscation if carrying English goods. American vessels then controlled the carrying trade of the world. Congress promptly au- thorized President Adams to raise an army, and again the nation instinct ively turned to Washington. To-day is the 117th anniversary of the con hrmation of his appointment as Lieu tenant General of, all; the armies of the United States. He set his house in order to enter upon active service and placed the country in a state of defence, believing preparation often prevents hostilities. The government of France was changed and the was averted but Washington did not live to see peace declared and I think re- tained to the last his high command.
 Convinced of the wisdom of a rep resentative democracy in a republican form of government he was ever ready ito pledge for it's defense, his life, his fortune and his sacred hon sor.'' With his example, citizenship in the United States should be es- teemed a solemn contract. Public opinion, and legal enactments should enforce the warning that a perfunc- tionary conference, Or careless as- sumption of the honor and the re- responsibilities, is a sacri1ege to the memory of those, who gave blood and life to establish the nation, and an insult to the government that mag unanimously bestows it's privileges. Git izenship is not a right, that any one one can claim,s even by compliance with all the legal requirements, un- less the applicant pledges all that he has, his possessions his liberty and his life, under due process of the law, as it now is, and as it may become. By his oath of fea1ty, the new citizen voluntarily surrenders a part of his previous liberty and personal indepen- .dence. but is guaranteed that no civic duties are requfred of him that are not equally demanded. by the law, of others! - that is.g .g,there is no class 1egislation. In republic, as in othA ser political forms of government, the stability of the state depends upon it's police power whether styled constabu- lary or military. The voter may act Independently at every election, but the decision of the majority becomes the law of the land, enforceable by writ, by confscation, by arms.
 These large demands, the state can make upon the citizen in all times of stress, which Fortunately rarely occur. beStoWSx special and valuable privil- eges, police protection, sanitary su- pervision, legal safeguard and a worldwide oversight of his life and property, by consular and diplomatic agencies, backed by army and navy.
 Many of us now enjotng these priv ileges, both those of native or of foreign birth, realize that they are. the results of the wisdom, the courage, the self-sacrifice. of the founders of the republic, that they were achieved after long years of privation and hard ships. that they were created by the veterans of the war of the Revolu- ton, they were preserved by the he- foes of the civil war. History and legend have recounted their cost. Memories of dead friends, and know1- edge of important and decisive na- tional events have made. sacred their value.
 It was once the prondest boast of the dweIler in the city that "sat upon her seven hills and from her throne of beauty ruled the world''-ssI am a Roman citizen, mo less should it be a matter of pride, and reorganization, that to-day throughout Christendona we are citizens of a. government, whose influence is greater than that of the Old Roman Empire, whose prosperity is the envy of all other nations, whose polity is founded upon sure foundations, whose reputation for fair dealing has set a new stand ard in the international relations af- ter a victorious war, whose represen- tative system has been copied by Bra gil, by Portugal, by France, by China, whose republican institutions confer ring upon the individual personal lib- erty and equal rights. are the hope of the oppressed of every land.
 Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty and the sacred trust is com m1tted to the votes of every genera ton of American voters as they come into the responsibility of their citizen ship.
 1 Listen to the words .af 2. voice that