Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-03

John X. Scott.
contended almost from the dawn OF
civilization. 1t was this right which
was at the bottom of all the wars
fought by Greece of old against the
absolutism of the Persian monarchs
1t was this right which the citizens of
the Roman republic guarded so jeal-
ously against all encroachments by
king or privileged class. 1t was this
right which led the American colonies
to throw off the yoke of England, and
to set up this American republic. 1t
makes you and me rulers of the land.
since it gives us share in the making
OF its laws, and in the selection of all
officials set over us
In order to exercise this right in
diligently, it is your social duty to &C
quaint yourselves with the issues and
the candidates brought before you; to
determine upon those and to vote for
those that approve themselves to your
mature Judgment. 1t is almost need
less to say that no ones vote should
ever be for sale. A venal citizen is
his own worst enemy, and the worst
enemy of his country. To sell your
vote is to sell your honor, your self
respect. your manhood, your independ-
enCe. Anyone who is willing to buy
your vote. is making himself your
master, and you are his slave He is
tyrant, however mild in form HIS
tyranny may be.
Sacred Duties Imposed.
q turn now to the duties which citi-
zenship imposes. Your very first duty
is TO respect the laws of the land. No
country, but especially no democracy
can long endure in peace and concord
unless law and order prevail in the
interrelations of citizens Respect for
the law is based on reverence for God,
the source and sanction of all law. 1t
was Washington himself who said:
Reason and experience both forbid US
to expect that national morality can
prevail in the exclusion of religious
principles These words of the great
statesman express a fundamental truth
that is altogether too often lost sight
Of in our day.
Another duty that | would empha-
size is, that you must familiarize your
selves with the language and the Gus
toms of the country. Your mother
tongue undoubtedly carries with it
many pleasant associations. 1t is the
embodiment, as well as the vehicle of
many customs among which you have
grown up, and that have become as it
were, part of yourselves. No one asks
you, or expects of you, TO forget that
language, TO look down upon it, to be
ashamed of it. But remember all the
time that this country claims your
undivided loyalty. Anything less than
that is closely akin to treason.
no one insists that you shall cast
aside whatever laudable customs you
may have brought with you from the
old country. There are narrow mind
ed men. indeed, who can see no good
in anything that they have not origi-
mated or stamped with their seal OF
approval. But their number and their
influence are as limited as their vision.
Should Use English Language.
at remains true, however, that
while you keep your language and GUS
toms. you must from now on give your
preference to the language and the
customs of the country which you have
publicly and deliberately chosen to be
your permanent home. 1t is preemi-
nently this language that uniies the
nation, and conveys TO you the spirit OF
this great commonwealth, that intangi-
Bile something that makes the nation
what il is, expresses its individuality,
and marks it off from all other nations.
This national spirit you find further
EXPRESSED in the history of the country.
Study it. Learn what our great men
of the past have done that you might
enjoy the blessings Of today. Learn
about the institutions they founded and
developed; and as you become more
familiar with them you are bound TO
appreciate them in proportion. Let no
opportunity pass to speak English, 10
read English. Do not he satisfied with
an imperfect superficial knowledge OF
the language For your very chances
for advancement are bound up with a
thorough knowledge Of it. Before you
stretches a field Of boundless oppor-
tunities They are yours if you wish
if and work to grasp them. And
thorough knowledge of English is the
foundation upon which you must build
your future.
Patriotism Is Needed.
another duty you owe to your
adopted country is the duty OF per
[ sonal seryfce. You serve il by your
work in developing its resources and
( Increasing its wealth. You serve it by
taking your share in the government
/ put Won must also be ready to give
4 vour personal service in time of dan
/ ger The day may come God grant
| that il does not. but it is idle to shut
/ our ewes to it, the day may come when
4 vour home and family, when the home
J and family Of your co-citizens are