The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-05
CELEBRATING FOURTH
N WORD AND DEED
MUST SUPPORT GOVERNMENT
Duty of Every Citizen Is to Vote and
to Pay Proper share OF Taxes.
Peoples Fault II Government Is
Had.

Celebrating the Fourth of July
in Word and Deed" was the subject
of DR.. Asbury Christians sermon at
Union Station Methodist Church last
night. DIR. Christian took as his text
the words from the Acts. "A citizen
of no mean city
I'VE are apt 20 forget the thing Of
the long past said the preacher,
unless there are some reminders.
For this reason we have the times
OF recall in which the good and no.
BILE memories Of the past are brought
before US, and these uplifting memo
ries help us to use TO better advan-
tage the opportunities OF the pres
ent
In this liz the true meaning Of
the anniversaries. These days SGT
apart to recall some noble deed or
great occurrence must not become
mere days of revelry and riot Or
our national anniversaries none has
greater meaning than July 4, the
nations birthday, when we were de-
clared a nation free from outside
domination.
Birth of Great Nation.
1T meant the birth of a great ma
ton and one destined to take large
part in the worlds affairs. Ours IS
a nation great in wealth, great in ex-
tent, great in government, and great
in opportunity. No government on
earth enjoys greater blessings under
their government than do our people.
And nowhere has every man a better
opportunity than in these United
States. These privileges and oppor-
hrinr pronprtinnafR raSnOn-
sibilities. Ours Is a government OF
the people and by the people, and
every man can say The State; / am
the State
"It is the bounden duty of every cit
izen not only to obey the laws and
to pay his proportion of taxes to sup
port the government. but to take his
part in directing the proper govern
ment. He should prepare himself
TO vote and express his will at the
ballot box. by voting for honorable,
clean men who will not serve class
or faction, but will faithfully dis
charge their official duty in the fear
of God.
IF bad men are elected to ONCE
and establish a corrupt and hurtful
administration. it is the fault Of the
people who put them there. and also
of the people who did not help to
keep these bad men out of Office.
There are two elements in bad gov
eminent. city. State and national;
the element dominated by political
bosses and crooked politicians. whicn
Ia not large, and the element which
Is very large. that composed of re-
spectacle people who do not take
enough interest in the government to
pay their poll taxes and go to the
polls and vote.
Is Modern Treason.
Modern treason to the State Is
Sinking the solemn responsibility oil
speaking for truth and righteousness
Think of Richmond. with a popula.
ton of Marty 10000. being domi-
mated by less than 5000. who could,
II they chose to. band themselves to-
gether for personal interest and bad
government. Where are the others
for there are sure more good people
/ than bad In this city of ours? They
are celebrating Independence Day
singing
MY country It's of thee,
Sweet land Of liberty:
OF thee I sing
| and don't think enough of their city
and country to DAY $50 poll tax and
qualify themselves to vote.
These people who are traitors tt
the city and State. deserve AS bad
| government as their neglect and
Sinking OF responsibility invite:
upon them. II Is public opinion ex-
pressed which. in the last analysis
makes government"